
Photo courtesy of the BDSV and VDM
Two trade associations representing metals recyclers in Germany have been engaged in discussions aiming to produce “intensified cooperation to ensure sustainable representation of the interests of their industries at national and international level.”
The Düsseldorf, Germany-based Federal Association of German Steel Recycling and Waste Management Companies (BDSV) and the Berlin-based Association of German Metal Traders and Recyclers (VDM) discussed say they also have identified three what they call key challenges that they would like to address in unison.
“The guiding principle of this future cooperation is to bring together the leading associations of the nonferrous metal recycling industry and the steel scrap industry in order to create a strong and future-oriented voice for all members,” says VDM Vice President Achim Lindhorst, managing director of German scrap metals firm Siegfried Jacob GmbH Co KG.
The two associations are seeking to set up a joint committee to “develop a concept for the future representation of the interests of the two associations.”
“The common path to closer cooperation is of great importance, as it lays the foundation for the successful development of the steel and metal recycling industry,” says Pouyan Dardashti, BDSV committee co-chair. Dardashti also is CEO of German metals recycling firm the Thommen Group AG.
“The industries are facing almost identical challenges, and therefore we have to set the course for the best possible representation of interests,” Dardashti adds.
The three key challenges identified by the two trade associations are: preservation of world trade; attracting young talent; and publicizing the sector’s contribution to Germany’s “transformation to a climate-neutral industry.”
"The associations are working together to ensure stable and fair trading conditions for their members," the groups say regarding trade. "By working more closely together, they will raise their voices in international discussions to preserve free and fair trade in recycled metals and steel scrap."
When it comes to attracting young people to the sector, the two organizations say they will combine their resources to offer educational programs, internships and career development opportunities to attract and nurture young talent to the industry.
Communicating with policy makers is the third priority. “The steel and metal recycling industry plays a crucial role in the transformation to a climate-neutral industry,” BDSV and VDM say. “The associations are committed to ensuring that the industry's contribution to making steel and metal scrap available to industry in the required quality and quantity receives better framework conditions from politicians.”
The two groups say a meeting they held in mid-September marks a starting point for increased cooperation between them. “The VDM and the BDSV are convinced that the challenges of the future can only be tackled by joining forces, in the interests of its members and a successful circular economy," they say.
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