Due to the continuous increase in global warming caused by the human induced emissions, it is evident that burning of oils and fossil fuels is escalating the change in climate, causing a major threat to the environment, and living beings. Plastic contributes to a large extent in diffusing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere thereby, altering the ozone layer, which is resulting in excessive heat, loss of cloud forests, melting of glaciers and upsurge in sea levels. So, what measures can be taken to reduce plastic pollution?For many years, the global temperature of the planet was intact until new technologies stepped in, resulting in an enormous change in the environment. It is a high time that the recycling of plastic on large scale should be taken into consideration. As plastic is non-biodegradable, it provides a lot of opportunities for business as it can be both cost effective and environment friendly. Global plastic recycling market is expected to witness a healthy growth at a CAGR of 5.04% during the forecast years due to uprise in the demand for recycled plastic. Recovering plastic from scrap and waste and then converting it into useful products has been a major driver for many commercial industries as it is both environmentally and economically effective. Recycled plastic can be transformed into a wide range of products like carrier bags, watering cans, wheel arch liners, car bumpers, damp proof membranes, construction materials, reusable crates, bins, composite pit, food trays, water bottles and different clothing fabrics providing a large scope for plastic industries to make a good fortune. The global plastic recycling market is driven by increasing inclination towards recycled plastics over virgin plastics because of the pollution caused by the plastics when disposed in oceans or other water bodies. In addition to this, energy saved during the production of recycled plastics is positively impacting the growth of the market. Furthermore, ongoing research activities in order to find an effective method of recycling plastic waste all around the world is expected to bolster the growth of market over the next few years. In terms of end-use industry, the plastic recycling industry is categorized into packaging, building & construction, textile, automotive, electrical & electronics and others. Out of which, the packaging industry held the largest market share among all the end-use industries in the global market for plastic recycling. Asia Pacific and North America have emerged to be the largest generators and recyclers of plastic waste. Dominance of Asia Pacific region can be attributed to the chemical and mechanical industry. The Initiative of limiting the use of plastic through financial disincentives has shown results and brought drastic changes in consumer behaviour. China, Japan and India, accounted for over one-fourth of total plastic waste recycled worldwide in previous years.Some highly used different types of plastics are: 1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)PET is a colorless, lightweight and strong plastic. It is a widely used plastic and is easily available in the market in the form of bottles, polyester clothes, medicines and jars. According to the Food and Drug Administration, PET is safe and can be easily recycled. Asia Pacific region holds the maximum share in production of PET worldwide which is anticipated to surge the market globally in upcoming years.2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)Out of all the Polyethylenes, HDPE is classified as the most versatile plastic available with numerous applications. Being strong in nature, qualifies HDPE to be compatible for building materials, large containers and piping. Rise in the demand of recycled plastic in construction sector is a major drive boosting the plastic recycling market in China.3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl)PVC comes under the third most multifaceted plastics due to its hard and inflexible nature. It is widely used in medical, construction and electrical industries and its property of being resistant to germs makes it highly useful for the medical industry. Demand of PVC in the pipelines industry is also driving the plastic recycling market worldwide.4. Polypropylene (PP)PP is one of the heavy-duty and long-lasting plastics. It can resist high temperature, which makes it ideal for many applications, specifically in food and beverage industries. It is a strong plastic and is less flexible and thus, retains its shape after some time. DVDs, hot food containers, storage boxes are made up of Polypropylene (PP). The plastic recycling market in Spain is expected to grow at an impressive rate on account of growing awareness among the population pertaining to plastic waste disposal.5. Polystyrene (PS) PS, also known as Styrofoam, is an eco-friendly plastic which is transparent and brittle in nature. Usually, PS is used for a short term and can be potentially dangerous for humans as it can release neurotoxins which can hamper the nervous system. PS is cost effective and is made safe for the market use and is used for making cutleries, food containers, building insulations, etc. Canada is expected to witness a rise in the PS industry in the upcoming years.What is the current market potential of the global plastic recycling? The plastic recycling market is highly fragmented with more than 25000 players operating globally in the market. Asia Pacific market is estimated to grow at a strong rate during the forecast period as the region has become a manufacturing hub for chemical & petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, medical and electronics equipment. Dominance of Asia-Pacific in global plastic recycling market can be attributed to growing awareness of recovery of main polymers through mechanical and chemical recycling.What is causing a Major drive in the global plastic recycling market? The global plastic recycling market is driven by increasing inclination towards recycled plastic over virgin plastic because of water pollution caused by the plastics when disposed in oceans or other water bodies. Ongoing research activities in order to find an effective method of recycling plastic waste all around the world is expected to bolster the growth of market over the next few years. Governments are increasingly mandating that plastic bottles must be made from at least 25% recycled plastic by 2025 and 30% by 2030. The consistently growing demand for recycled plastic products on account of expanding packaging industry across the globe is spurring demand for plastic recycling. Increasing number of construction and infrastructure projects across the globe is also boosting the demand for polymers in a wide range of applications such as an window glass, etc.Which region holds the highest share in the global plastic recycling market?APAC region holds the maximum share of the global plastic recycling market. In 2019, China plastics industry accounted for 26% share in global production of plastics. For many years, China received the bulk of scrap plastic from various countries such as United States, Germany, Japan, Australia, etc., processing much of it into a higher quality material that could be used by manufacturers. In 2018, China imposed ban on imports of plastic waste and closed its doors to almost all foreign plastic waste, as well as many other recyclables, to protect the local environment and air quality and to further boost its domestic plastic recycling market.What is the current market landscape for the global plastic recycling? The key players are considering the rise in demand for plastic recycling by various industries to be the major driving factor for the market in the forecast period. The major companies are focusing on innovation and research & development (R&D) to create durable and better products and attain a competitive edge over the other big players.What are the challenges faced by the global plastic recycling market?Due to onset of COVID-19, disruptions in business cycles are bound to impact the demand across all core industries, globally. Severity of pandemic is compounded by the fact that many industries are operating at reduced capacity, consequently lowering the number of employees as well. The reduced number of workers will create a challenge for industrial plastic product manufacturers to fulfill the demand from end user industries. The ban on import of plastic waste for treatment and reprocessing in China has caused a huge crisis among major exporting countries. Moreover, with declining and shrinking plastic waste exporting market, the governments of various nations in Europe and Asia are focusing on recycling plastic and producing re-usable plastic products.Some of the major companies in the global plastic recycling market include Covanta Energy Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd., SUEZ NWS limited, The shakti Plastic Industries, Eco Wise Waste Management Pvt Ltd, Cleanaway Melbourne, Sapporo Plastic Recycle KK, DH Recycling Ltd, Veolia Indonesia, IAV Global, Poly Pipe Recyclers, Polystar Machinery Co Ltd.Conclusion: Global Plastic Recycling Market is expected to witness a healthy growth during the forecast years due to rise in the demand for recycled plastic for various applications and manufacturing of recycled products such as carrier bags, watering cans, damp proof membranes, construction materials, reusable crates, bins, composite pit, food trays, water bottles. The disruption in overall import and export of plastic waste due to COVID-19 across several countries is expected to lead to decline in the total recycled plastic waste in 2020. Over the past few years, it has been observed that more and more companies are taking a pledge towards the reduction of plastic waste and shifting to 100% recyclable packaging. This wave of enthusiasm and awareness is augmenting demand for plastic recycling, globally, and encouraging the companies to establish plastic recycling facilities.

When you think of a great brand, what comes to mind? Some of the most valuable brands in the world today include Google, Microsoft, Coca Cola, IBM, McDonalds, Apple, and China Mobile1. These companies have successfully built brand equity and are well established in consumer’s minds. But who are their customers? Are they individuals, or are they other companies? Your target consumer determines your brand strategy, and there are key differences when branding for business-to-business (B2B) as opposed to business-to-consumer (B2C) companies. The key difference between individuals and businesses as consumers involves how purchasing decisions are made-businesses make purchase decisions collectively with multiple decision makers. Therefore, general awareness and knowledge of B2B brands in the marketplace absolutely essential. This article will examine the importance of branding for B2B companies and look at a few ways to build a strong B2B brand.>> B2B Brand DifferentiationMany B2B companies have not effectively differentiated their brand from others. For example, the audit firms formerly known as the “Big Five” initially did not manage to differentiate themselves from one other. A survey conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers at the time of their merger showed that “the business community and the general public did not perceive any compelling differences between and among the Big Five. Not only did all firms appear to have similar defining qualities, they were also not sending any consistent message about their organisations to external audiences.” 2 “Around 10 years later, the situation remains the same. Although KPMG, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and PWC all provide similar services, each firm is proficient in different areas. Due to a lack of focus on branding, the differentiating points of these large B2B audit companies are often not apparent in the B2B marketplace.An example of a differentiated B2B brand is Dell computers. Dell has not only utilized an innovative business model, they have always communicated to consumers and business the factors that make their brand different. For example, Dell was one of the first computer companies to allow customers to custom-configure and purchase computers online. For their B2B clients, Dell offers extensive Enterprise Resource Planning systems and e-commerce solutions. At the beginning of 2008 Dell launched a revised services-and-support scheme for businesses named “ProSupport” which offers more options to companies to tailor Dell services to fit their specific needs. Although there are many competitors providing computer solutions in the B2B environment, Dell has been a very popular choice over the last few years because they consistently abide by their brand promise to deliver customized product and service offerings, timely delivery, and reasonable prices.>> Moving from a House of Brands to a Branded HouseOne way a B2B company can strengthen their brand is by moving from a “house of brands” to a “branded house”. An example of a house of brands would be Procter and Gamble, who possess many brands within an overall portfolio. Consumers may not necessary connect the individual brands within the portfolio to the Procter and Gamble corporation. On the other hand, a branded house is when brands use a single name across all products and services, like the Virgin Group. Virgin brands are too numerous to list here, but some include Virgin Airlines, Virgin Records, Virgin Media, Virgin Money, and more.When a branded house launches a new product or sub-brand, it is more easily accepted by consumers due to its affiliation with the original brand. In addition, the original brand image may be enhanced by successful sub-brands. A branded house strategy must be carefully thought out in order to benefit from the virtue of the original brand while expanding its portfolio of activities. Once the strategy is in place, companies should then carefully choose new products or service categories such that the original brand brings valuable associations and adds credibility to them. It should be noted that the branded house strategy has its own inherent risk: a huge failure in one category could potentially put the whole portfolio at risk.FedEx is an example of a company operating in the B2B area that has strengthened their brand by going from a house of brands to a branded house 3.>> The Benefits of Internal BrandingInternal branding refers to how effectively the brand is understood and believed in by the employees of the company. If the brand strategy is well established in the minds of staff it will allow them to effectively communicate the brand’s message to clients and other stakeholders 4 . In turn, this should enhance the customer experience and improve the bottom line. Having a strong internal brand will also help to recruit and retain qualified personnel. People who connect with your brand will want to work for you, and once they are within the organization they will continue to contribute to your brand’s success. However, internal branding efforts cannot be taken lightly- all internal processes, practices and symbols must reflect brand values5.Although it may be thought of as both a B2B and a B2C company, Google is an example of an organization with strong internal branding. As a result, in 2007 and 2008, Fortune Magazine ranked Google as the number one place to work .Google’s corporate philosophy reflects the brand’s values, containing principles such as “Great just isn’t good enough. “, “Google does search”, “Google believes in instant gratification”, “you can be serious without a suit,” and “the need for information crosses all borders”, to name a few.So how is internal branding actually done? Employee training is an effective tool, but support from management is a key factor for successful internal branding. As is the case with Google, the brand values should be conveyed in corporate mission statements and reinforced by the words and actions of upper management.>> ConclusionAs you can see, B2B branding shares some similarities with B2C branding, yet it is different in many ways. We have only touched on a few methods that B2B companies could employ to build their brand. Even this brief analysis proves that brand strategy is often neglected by B2B companies, although it is crucial for their success.1. From Millward Brown Optimor, BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands ranking.
2. themanager.org/marketing/branding.htm
3. Kotler, P. & Pfoertsch, W. (2006). B2B Brand Management. Heidelberg: Springer.
4. Gough, 2008. mycustomer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=133691
5brandxpress.net/2005/09/internal-branding-8-principles

There are small business financing resources to help you start your business but if you don’t know where to go start here with these resources.Government Small Business Loans – Visit or call your local business library or government agency. You can apply on a local, state, and federal level to get the money you need to commence and grow your business.You could get a small micro loan, disaster relief loan to rebuild your business from a natural disaster or a simple short term lending loan. You might even be able to get a loan based on your geography!Veteran Loans – For those who have served in the armed forces, you may be eligible for a veteran loan to use on your small business. Check with your local veteran’s chapter to apply and see if you qualify for a loan and how much you might be able to get to use on your business.Small Business Loans – The Small Business Administration is a nationwide operation. They are located in all states and offers small business loans and resources to those who qualify. The Small business administration deals through private financial institutions, to help you get low interest loans. In addition they have all types of resources you can tap into and you should. They have available online resources you can tap into to help you with your business, live training, free consulting, etccc You definitely have to go pay them a visit online or in person.USDA – For those involved in produce and working the land for food purposes to be resold, in the agricultural industry, then you may qualify for a small business loan. Check out the USDA website to find all of the information you need about their small business loans and what information they need when you apply.Women – Being a women in business or trying to start a business does not mean you have to do it alone, in fact women are responsible for a large percentage of small businesses that are in operation. There are many small business loans that cater to owners who are women. Some are offered through your state while others are offered through small business corporations, organizations and non-profits.Minorities – For those whom are considered a minority, there are all types of programs to help you start your business. There are some small business loans provided to qualifying minority groups. The MBDA works with minority groups and evaluates their situation to determine if they can apply for a small business loan. They also offer many tips and resources to help you get started with your business venture.Grants – The business library in your local area is an excellent area to start to tap into the grants available through the government, corporations, non-profits, and other organizations. This type of money is called free money to some. This is money that doesn’t have to be paid back, but with some grants, there are specific regulations on how the funds can be spent.Research thoroughly all the various many small financing business financing resources available for almost any situation. Make sure you check out all of your options to see which resource will work best for your business needs.copyright@2008