Kuala lumpur: Global plastic supply is currently facing disruptions due to oil and gas production challenges and uncertainties in the Strait of Hormuz, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadillah, who also serves as Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, emphasized that plastic manufacturing relies heavily on raw materials like naphtha, ammonia, ethylene, and propylene, all of which are derived from oil and gas. He highlighted the critical role plastics play in everyday life, encompassing areas such as food packaging, consumer goods, and healthcare equipment. These comments were made during the Weekly Global Supply Crisis briefing.

Fadillah further stated that the government is actively working to secure additional sources, enhance international cooperation, and explore alternative raw materials to maintain the continuity of the supply chain. The Ministry of Health has successfully obtained extra supplies of naphtha and resin from China to bolster the healthcare sector.

"The government will continue to ensure that the people's supply of essential goods remains sufficient," Fadillah assured. He also noted the government's proactive stance in safeguarding public welfare, focusing on three main strategies: ensuring the availability of essential goods, extending supply through efficient resource management and distribution, and controlling price increases through vigilant monitoring and strict enforcement.

In prior reports, it was noted that the domestic plastic manufacturing industry is poised to encounter ongoing uncertainty in the short to medium term due to the crisis in West Asia. The conflict has resulted in resin prices surging over 100 percent, with certain resin grades surpassing US$2,000 per tonne. The turmoil has disrupted the flow of crude oil and petrochemical feedstock through the Strait of Hormuz, thereby restricting upstream supply for resin production.