NEW YORK, NY March 30, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) declared the U.S. chemical industry, which includes producers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), to be one of 16 critical infrastructure sectors that plays a critical role as the country seeks to recover from the COVID crisis. The designation means that an industry sector is critical to public health and safety, economic and national security.
Ralph Vasami, executive director of the PET Resin Association (PETRA) issued the following statement:
“PETRA encourages state and local governments to follow the federal government’s guidelines that producers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – the clear, lightweight plastic used for packaging around the world, are essential businesses as part of the chemical sector, and should remain open.
The items produced from PET are used for medical, industrial and consumer packaging of personal protective equipment, medical supplies and food packaging. These items are vital to the government’s efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect the nation’s healthcare workers, while ensuring medical and food supplies are securely packaged and contained.
The safety and protection of our customers is always our primary concern. As they remain open and operating to serve our country, our member companies follow guidelines set by World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and others. Recognizing the importance of disinfecting, quarantining and practicing social distancing, PETRA members continue to take the most stringent precautions to insure the safety of employees, plants and products.”
PETRA is the industry association for North American producers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). For more information about PETRA or PET products, please visit www.petresin.org.
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Contact: Ralph Vasami
Tel: (212) 297-2125
Email: [email protected]
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