In an article published on February 22, 2017 the European polyethylene terephthalate (PET) industry association Petcore Europe reported on its annual conference that took place on February 1, 2017 in Brussels, Belgium (FPF reported). The conference was themed “PET 2020 – The future of the PET industry” and gathered delegates from the entire PET value chain. The event featured, among others, speakers from PET resin producers, packaging designers and manufacturers, waste management organizations, and recyclers, as well as from the European Commission (EC), the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Food manufacturer Danone highlighted its efforts in using recycled PET food packaging while ensuring food safety compliance. Further, Danone is employing eco-design tools in new projects and exploring the use of bioplastics. The EC presented its roadmap for the strategy on plastics in a circular economy that was published in January 2017 (FPF reported). The non-profit organization EEB promoted the implementation of deposit systems to raise consumer awareness and responsibility. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation presented the latest report of its New Plastics Economy initiative that was launched at the World Economic Forum in January 2017 (FPF reported). The European Association of Plastics Recycling & Recovery Organisations (EPRO) stressed that in order to recycle all plastics waste, “packaging and recycling cannot be looked at in isolation, you need to combine innovation and recycling.” Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) emphasized that “the most important thing is that the right infrastructure is in place” to achieve the EC’s 2025 recycling targets for all plastics and packaging.
Non-participants can order the conference papers from Petcore Europe’s communications officer.
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Petcore Europe (February 22, 2017). “A sold out success: Petcore Europe Conference 2017 ‘PET 2020 – The future of the PET industry.’“
