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Environment

Global drive to reduce use of plastics hits COVID-19 roadblock

Low cost and hygiene breathe new life into once-reviled industry

Higher demand for take-out and home delivery meals driven by the COVID-19 pandemic is pushing up consumption of plastic packaging. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)

BANGKOK -- For the moment COVID-19 appears to have slowed efforts to make the world less plastic.

Plastics manufacturers in Thailand and elsewhere are unexpected beneficiaries of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Higher demand for plastic containers and bags for food deliveries to stay-at-home customers has helped Siam Cement, a leading Thai petrochemical producer, post a 33% year-on-year rise in sales of packaging materials and containers in the first quarter the year, to give just one example.

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