Plastic is Fantastic Day in Vienna calls for fact-based debate

More than 100 decision-makers from the global plastics industry gathered at the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology in late October for the second "Plastic is Fantastic Day". The international conference sent a clear signal in favour of a fact-based, scientific discourse. Keynote speeches and interactive formats showed that the industry needs a common language to convey a more nuanced picture of the material.

Public perceptions of plastics often differ significantly from the technological realities of the material. At the invitation of the Plastic is Fantastic Association (PiFA), a global alliance of industry leaders, representatives from business, science and industry associations met in the Austrian capital. Their stated goal was to promote joint solutions and bring greater objectivity to the debate in the long term.

Facts over emotions

According to the organisers, the time for defensive justifications is over. Keynote speeches by behavioural economist Gerhard Fehr and risk expert David Zaruk made it clear that the industry can no longer passively leave prevailing narratives to others. Instead of merely reacting to criticism, the focus is shifting to providing consumers with well-founded information. A high-level panel of international industry representatives underlined the urgency of this approach. Only those who present scientific facts can remain credible voices in an emotionally charged public debate.

Sharing knowledge across borders

An interactive dialogue format complemented the conference and presented global best practices. In rotating working groups, international experts shared insights into the dynamics of their campaigns in their home countries directly with the audience. These first-hand insights provided immediately applicable ideas and encouraged intensive exchange.

"We have the knowledge, the technological solutions and the facts. Now we need to connect them further and communicate them together," said Dominic Fiel, Executive Director of the Plastic is Fantastic Association, summing up the message. Looking beyond national borders showed that many regional challenges have already been addressed with practical solutions on other continents.

Next conference outside Europe

The organisers regard the success of the Vienna event as a strategic wake-up call for the industry, not a reason for complacency. To underline the global ambitions of the Plastic is Fantastic Association, the next conference will take place outside Europe. "Planning is already underway. We will soon be able to announce the first details for 2027," says Dominic Fiel. For him, one thing is certain: "The plastics debate needs facts – and a united international industry." This is the purpose for which PiFA was established, and the second "Plastic is Fantastic Day" demonstrated that industry stakeholders are ready to move forward.