The Department of Polymer C Process Engineering (PPE), UET Lahore in collaboration with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab organized the 2nd PAK Polymer Symposium 2025 on April 28th at UET Lahore. This high-impact event brought together professionals from industry, government, and academia, along with polymer students to explore plastic sustainability through recycling and upcycling.

The Inaugural Ceremony was graced by Ms. Kanwal Liaqat, Parliamentary Secretary on Environment as Chief Guest, Mr. Imran Hamid Sheikh, DG EPA as Guest of Honor and Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir, Vice Chancellor UET as Patron-In-Chief. Prof. Dr. Asif Ali Qaiser, Chairman Department of Polymer C Process Engineering, delivered a Plenary Speech on Plastic Circularity and Upcycling. The Inaugural Session was followed by two technical sessions and a Panel Discussion where speakers and panelists from industry, academia and government departments participated and expressed their views on plastic circularity and its techniques.

In 1st Technical Session on Plastic Recycling Prospects and Policies, Mr. Asif Iqbal (Urban Unit) spoke on Circular Economy Models, Mr. Zia Hyder Naqi (SPEL Group) on Industrial Challenges in Plastic Recycling and Prof. Dr. Farhan Saeed (UET) presented on Research in Plastic Waste Management whereas in the 2nd Technical Session on Upcycling and Circularity Innovations, Chaired by Prof. Dr. Nasir Mehmood (NUST), Prof. Dr. Asad Ullah Khan (NUST) presented on PET Upcycling, Prof. Dr. Shahzad Maqsood Khan (PU) on Polymer

C Textile Synergies, Dr. Yasir Qayyum Gill (UET) spoke on Real-World Upcycling Projects and Mr. Ali Syed (People’s, Profit, Planet) on Circular Economy Roadmap.

In the 3rd session of Panel Discussion, Moderated by Mr. Zia Hyder Naqi (CEO, SPEL Group), Mr. Motasim Ahmad Bajwa (Group Head, Pak Petrochemicals), Dr. Tahira Yasmin (Manager RCD, Packages Pvt. Ltd.), Mr. Jahanzeb Jilani (CEO, Jilani Plastics), Mr. M. Bin Shehzad (Tetra Pak), Dr. Rabia Yasmeen (EPD) and Dr. Maria Razi (Plastic Management Cell) exchanged their views on current policies and practices of plastic waste management and gave their suggestions for improvement.

At the end, the Closing Ceremony featured certificates and souvenirs distribution, poster competition awards and well-deserved appreciation for the contribution of speakers, session chairs, organizers and students. The major highlights of the Symposium were a Poster Display and Competition, and an exhibition of Industrial Stalls alongside the event.