PETpla.net Insider 03 / 2011

MATERIAL / RECYCLING 18 PET planet insider Vol. 12 No. 03/11 www.petpla.net PETplanet speaks to Jean-Marc Rostagno – first President of Forum PET Europe Forum PET Europe launched The Forum PET Europe (FPE) was founded in Paris in November 2010 with the objective improving ad hoc commu- nication on health & safety, recycling and innovation for PET packaging. The Forum PET Europe represents mainly the national PET converters (preforms, bottles, jars, containers and others PET packaging) and is a open source and collab- orative platform of communication and action. This is in collaboration with Pet- core, the European PET producer association which validates and sup- ports innovative PET solutions from a recycle perspective, supports all PET recycling processes and facilitates sustainable growth for post consumer PET collection. The initiative for the Forum came from the PET associa- tions of France (Elipso) and Germany (Forum PET within IK Industriever- einigung Kunststoffverpackungen) as well as from the Portuguese converter Logoplaste. Jean-Marc Rostagno, Managing Director of Artenius PET Packaging (APPE) Northern Europe, a leading European converter and also producer of recycled PET was appointed first president of Forum PET Europe. We asked Jean-Marc Rostagno for his comments on the new organisation. PETplanet: What is the policy of the FPE? Mr Rostagno: FPE will act as the spearhead for the national Forums. European counterparts want to see one single representative when con- sidering discussions on matters of common interest. The Forum PET Europe is designed to fill that gap only. Some national Forums have already expressed an interest in join- ing and others will follow. Portugal for example has relatively few PET con- verters and will be represented initially by the main converter. PETplanet: Why yet another association amongst so many existing associations? Mr Rostagno: Quite simply because there is no such organisa- tion representing PET converters. Our focus will be on key areas such as enhancing the sector’s reputation, acknowledging risks and opportunities and spreading a proper understanding of PET excellence in recycling (some converters are also recyclers). There is also a considerable amount of work to do on highlighting the untapped poten- tial in PET innovation. PETplanet: What does all this mean in practical terms? Mr Rostagno: Let me give you a few brief headlines: First: Health and safety aspects – food contact information related to PET – in order to reassure stakeholders that our products are safe. Second: Recycling – integrity of recycling loop from bottle to bottle and the PET converter’s contribu- tion in improving quality of the clear baled bottle flow (see last EPBP press release: FPE will help this approach with up to date input on recycling guide lines) Last but not least: Innovation, which means also caring for new and fast growing PET packaging : barrier bottles for beer, wine, milk, high end fruit juices to be recycled as well.. PETplanet: From what you are saying, it would appear that the inter- ests of the converter come first and recycling comes second? Mr Rostagno: I’d prefer to put it another way: if attacks on the reputa- tion of PET on supermarket shelves eventually succeed, there will soon be no PET to recycle. Recycling is a very high priority for the FPE. If I can put it this way: We can enhance the reputation of PET if we can show we are taking responsibility for recycling as well. PETplanet: Let’s turn to Petcore for a moment: don’t you share broadly the same objectives? Could there be areas of conflict? Mr Rostagno: No, both organi- sation complete and even reinforce each other. Our strength lies in our significant representation of the con- verting industry at a national level Also our focus is more on health & safety and fostering innovation. PETplanet: As far as recycling is concerned, is there any need to join both organisations or would there be a conflict? Mr Rostagno: Why would converters be in conflict with resin or additive producers? We talk to Petcore in order to improve the global “package” which we bring to our cus- tomers and hence to provide reassur- ance to the market. Thus: there is no disconnect either in communication nor in what we are doing – hopefully. PETplanet: What can we expect from Forum PET Europe in the near future? MrRostagno: We want to finish the job of contacting other European associations so that we enlist the sup- port of those working within the PET supply chain. We are also working on the guidelines with European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP), representa- tives and supporting them as men- tioned above. PETplanet: Who is joining next – to widen the platform for FPE? Mr Rostagno: The three topics that we have already mentioned: health & safety, recycling and innova- tion have received a broad welcome from those in the industry. We are hoping that this may encourage the formation of national PET forums, which could become at the same time members of the FPE. PETplanet: Thanks a lot, Mr Rostagno. www.forumpeteurope