Exports of Malaysia's plastics industry registered an 8.5% growth from RM11.94 billion in 2014 to RM12.96 billion in 2015. 
The sector is a good indicator of the industry's performance. 
Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) President Lim Kok Boon said in a statement that moving forward, the industry would face challenges such as managing rising costs, according to Malaysia's (Bernama) News Agency. 
"The Malaysian plastics industry registered a total sales turnover of RM24.77 billion in 2015, representing a huge increase of 27% compared to RM19.46 billion in 2014," Lim said. 
However, he highlighted that the significant increase is not comparable, as the Department of Statistics had adopted a different method of compiling statistics for the plastics industry in 2015. 
He said the MPMA is providing the necessary scientific facts to address this misconception and reiterated that banning polystyrene and plastic bags or any other products would not be the answer towards solving the country's environmental issues. 
The MPMA has currently about 800 members comprising ordinary members, who represent about 60% of plastic manufacturers in the country, and account for 80% of the country's total production of plastic products.