The Plastics Institute of Australia Inc was the association for the plastics industry in Australia for nearly half a century. During this period, plastics began to be used in electrical fittings and appliances, in furniture, in buildings, in recreational equipment and in cars, gradually replacing conventional materials such as timber, rubber, metal, glass and wool.
The original object of the institute was to promote the cause of the plastics and allied industries in Australia by bringing together all those interested in them, and helping to develop processes, standards and practices.
It provided a comprehensive range of services for its members - both corporate and individual - designed to promote plastics and the plastics industry. Its activities included government representation and economic development, public affairs, technical, education and training. It was established on an industry sector (division) and sectional / regional (state) basis.
The Institute organised "Know Your Plastics" lectures from the 1970s, and produced notes that became an associated text book Know your plastics (First published c1970). Several thousand people throughout Australia attended these successful courses.
In late 1989, the Plastics Institute of Australia Inc became the Plastics Industry Association Inc.
Many meetings, conferences and publications were produced by the Institute, both at a national level and at a sectional level. Notable people and publications of the PIA are yet to be fully identified and added to this Encyclopedia.