PETpla.net Insider 05 / 2016

MATERIAL / RECYCLING 8 PET planet insider Vol. 17 No. 05/16 www.petpla.net PETcore Europe Conference by Alexander Büchler We often attend events, and sometimes we lose count, but the PETcore Event in Brussels, Belgium was different. Here there were heated discussions between the recycling indus- try and Eric Liegeois, Policy Officer, DG for Enterprise and Industry European Commission, on how the EU envisages recycling. The other presentation sessions also treated con- tent and professional expertise. Roberto Bertaggia, President of Petcore Europe summarised the atmosphere thus: “This huge success of our annual conference outlines the importance of this event for par- ticipants from all sectors of the PET value chain.” The first session of the conference dedicated to Sustainability gave an outline of different EU projects. The Innovation session outlined the pen- etration of PET replacing conventional materials in new markets such as large volume water coolers and kegs, aerosols and novel recycling technolo- gies for coloured PET. The last ses- sion on Globalisation was dedicated to the inter-connection of work includ- ing Napcor activities in the US as well as the marine litter issue presented by Waste Free Oceans. At its core however, the event focused on Eric Liegeois, Policy Officer, DG for Enterprise and Industry European Commission. He presented the status of the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy to the audience. The core message was to achieve a high proportion of recycling from waste, thus ensuring a significant part of the EU’s demand for raw materials is covered, creating jobs and helping Eric Liegeois, Policy Officer, DG for Enterprise and Industry European Commission talking about concrete and ambitios actions.