NextLoopp Americas appoints vice president

NextLoopp Americas, a collaborative project working to close the loop on postconsumer, food-grade recycled Polypropylene (FGrPP), has named Marcio Amazonas vice president, NextLoopp Americas.

He will lead the initiative aimed at producing high-quality FGrPP from local postconsumer packaging for use in food-contact materials throughout the Americas.

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NextLoopp Americas is an extension of the NextLoopp initiative launched in Europe in 2020. The project addresses the challenges of recycling postconsumer food-grade polypropylene (PP) by collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, including brands, retailers, packaging converters, material suppliers, waste recyclers, universities and technology partners. The initiative has developed and trialed grades of high-FGrPP resins using Nextek’s PPristine™ decontamination technology.

“I’m excited to join NextLoopp Americas at a time when the urgency for innovative solutions to plastic waste is at an all-time high," Amazonas says. "Together, we will drive the large-scale production of high-quality rPP resin that can be fast-tracked into locally produced rPP food-grade packaging to meet the needs of both businesses and consumers.”

Amazonas has more than 30 years of international experience in environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership and is an expert in managing sustainability strategies and technological innovations in the packaging and waste management industries, according to a news release from NextLooPP. His leadership will be instrumental in the deployment of NextLooPP Americas’ FGrPP technologies across North and South America.

“Marcio brings invaluable expertise in navigating complex supply chains and fostering key strategic partnerships,” says Professor Edward Kosior, founder of Nextek Ltd., a U.K.-based global technology organization that offers strategic advice to regional and multinational organizations and recycling companies, and president of NextLooPP Americas. “His proven track record in driving sustainable innovations aligns perfectly with our mission to fast-track the deployment of NextLoopp technology across the Americas.”

NextLooPP Americas seeks participants from across the American PP supply chain to join the project. An introductory webinar, highlighting its achievements and its mission in the Americas, is planned for Oct. 23 and Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. Pacific Time (noon Eastern). The webinar is invitation-only. Those interested in attending should email marcio@nextloopp.com specifying their preferred date.