Plastics Recycling World Exhibition panelists discuss challenges facing the industry

Organizations shaping plastics recycling are scheduled to discuss challenges faced by the industry in a series of debates during the Plastics Recycling World Exhibition in Essen, Germany, June 27-28, 2018. The lineup of panelists includes representatives of global brand owners, major plastics recyclers, regulatory compliance firms and technical R&D groups.

The conference component of Plastics Recycling World Exhibition starts June 27 with a debate about the EU’s Plastics Strategy announced in January. Panelists will question the strategy’s implications for companies along the plastics recycling value chain. Panelists include Silvia Campos, global scientific and regulatory affairs risk assessment manager at The Coca-Cola Co.; Anna Gergely, director at Steptoe & Johnson; Mike Baxter, external affairs director, RPC-BPI Group; and Chris Slijkhuis, public affairs and e-waste director at Müller-Guttenbrunn Group.

The second debate focuses on the automotive sector. Panelists discuss end-of-life vehicle (ELV) plastics recycling and the opportunities and challenges open to plastics recyclers and include Peter Wiedemann, general manager at Wipag Deutschland; Roger Beuting, managing director at Van Scherpenzeel Group; and Jan Diemert, deputy director in the Department for Polymer-Engineering at Fraunhofer Institute ICT.

On day two of the Plastics Recycling World Exhibition, panelists examine the hurdles plastic packaging needs to overcome. Speakers include Christine Levêque, director of business innovation, recycling and recovery at Suez; Edward Kosior, managing director at Nextek; Graham Houlder, managing director of Sloop Consulting and coordinator of the CEFLEX Project on flexible packaging recycling; and Kim Ragaert, professor of polymer processing and recycling at Ghent University in the Netherlands.

The final panel session looks at the future for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) plastics recycling. The discussion involves Jannick Sercu, marketing director at Galloo Plastics; and Keith Freegard, business development director at Axion Polymers. They are joined by Martin Schlummer, business field manager, recycling and environment, at Fraunhofer Institute IVV.

Attending the Plastics Recycling World Exhibition is free, and those interested can register here. Attendees receive free admission to the exhibition and its conference theatre, featuring technical presentations and educational seminars in addition to the strategic debates. It will also ensure free entry to the Compounding World Expo in the adjacent hall at Messe Essen.

More information on the Plastics Recycling World Exhibition, including the exhibitor list, floorplan, stand booking details, full conference program and online registration, visit www.plasticsrecyclingworldexpo.com/eu.