During his nearly 30 years in industry Barry Kelly, Managing Director of Basell Australia has held various positions in engineering, manufacturing and corporate strategy.
Basell Australia, a LyondellBasell company, is the only polypropylene (PP) manufacturer in Australia. The company also produces and sells other types of polymers.
One of the world’s largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies, LyondellBasell Industries is the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing; a pioneer in propylene oxide and derivatives; and a significant producer of fuels and refined products, including bio-fuels.
Basell Australia and its predecessor companies have been part of the Australian packaging industry since 1970 as a key plastics supplier.
Kelly has been the Managing Director of the company since 2003, and is also currently President of the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA).
He tells Packaging Magazine that his role is mainly focused on ensuring that the company’s product offering supports the current and future market needs of Australia and New Zealand.
“I also lobby the Australian government with PACIA on behalf of the Plastics & Chemicals Industry regarding key issues of importance to the Australian industry, such as Sustainable Business Growth, Regulation Reform and achieving a level playing field for Australian manufacturing businesses,” Kelly says.
Kelly’s interest in packaging began at school when he first considered a career in design.
Later, when managing a PP plant in Sydney, visits to local packaging manufacturers such as Visy, Viscount, and Huhtamaki sparked a long term curiosity and enthusiasm.
He sees the Packaging industry as an essential part of the Australian manufacturing sector. “Packaging is the single largest market for PP,” he maintains.
“Packaging is an ideal match for PP because of the many performance characteristics it can provide for these applications, such as low temperature impact resistance, ultra high clarity, excellent processing speeds, microwave reheating capability, recyclability, good chemical resistance and ease of handling throughout the supply chain, to name a few.”
According to Kelly, the Australian packaging industry’s position as a food supplier and designer of packaging to the region offers numerous possibilities.
“Our marketplace is relatively small, so while there are challenges ahead, we should look at the global market as an opportunity to be recognised as reliable suppliers of quality and leading-edge packaging.”
LyondellBasell Industries continues to invest in Australian manufacturing plants (Geelong and Clyde) to further strengthen the company’s commitment to the Australian Packaging industry, among others.
In terms of technology of the future, Kelly points to advancements in measurement and traceability technology, for example, in improving packaging security.
“Other technological advances will include improvements in material properties — allowing continual reduction in weight and volumes to achieve better environmental outcomes,” he predicts.
“The industry will also pioneer better designs and greater value chain engagement to address cradle-to-grave considerations.”
Kelly says misconceived community perception about the role that packaging plays as an added burden to the environment is an important challenge currently faced by Basell Australia.
“Plastics, both traditional and bioplastics, are well positioned to alleviate these concerns in the long term,” he affirms.
“A strategic opportunity for Basell Australia will be to continue delivering the benefits of plastics versus other traditional packaging materials.”
“Technological developments will continue to enable the company to develop strategies for food preservation and security of goods,” he adds.
Kelly’s dream for the packaging industry is to have it properly recognised for the value it provides.
“I’d like to see Australia as a source of design inspiration for the Asia Pacific region and acknowledged as the leader in applying Sustainable Business Growth principles to packaging,” he says.
“I’m confident that the industry is capable of taking financial, societal and environmental issues into account up front, which are the three pillars for creating viable projects and developments that produce a better outcomes overall.”
“Basell Australia is committed to the Australian industry for the future as demonstrated by the Geelong capacity expansion,” Kelly says.
“We are keen to play our part in working with the industry, and learning and applying Sustainable Business principles.”
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