PETplanet Insider Vol. 22 No. 10/21 www.petpla.net 41 EVENT REVIEW local producers (for 1.5 million tonnes), and the situation is chaotic. Mr Zanchi’s belief is that imports will always be necessary, and it is estimated that about 400,000 t will have to be imported in 2025. Will all the imported material have to meet all Reach regulations? But, even more important, how much imported material really conforms to Reach today? There are question marks over how to evaluate fairly the feasibility of sustainability targets, whether they are claimed by large groups or imposed by institutions. Without a great push to increase collection rates, problems are expected to increase. The logistics situation also is a big issue currently. The extraordinary speculation by a few companies may kill an industry. If this situation persists, dramatic changes in world trade could be seen. Bulk carriers may be a temporary solution for large importers, and GSI is offering urgent support to secure them in the shortest time frame until the rates are economically advantageous. Finally, Mr. Zanchi updated the audience of GSI and the St. Lawrence Foundation social arm in Sierra Leone (Social Business Development). Its agri-food activity is moving forward rapidly and is now providing feed and poultry to other farmers in the area, and eggs to local communities. Its success is spreading fast, bringing work and food to one of the poorest areas in Africa. The afternoon session of the webinar, whose theme was based on evaluating the impact of the pandemic on business, began with Christian Wöss (Erema), Uwe Neumann (NGR) and Matteo Calloni (Bandera), who discussed their companies’ latest technologies for recycling polyester wastes by eventually improving the quality of the final product. Market trends and the latest developments in developing a real circular economy were discussed by, amongst others, David Feber (McKinsey) who underlined how hygiene requirements are going to be stricter in the packaging field, Hans Van Bochove (Coca-Cola) and Fabiana Marchini (Nestlé San Pellegrino). Mr. Van Bochove warned about the race to please customers by promising 100% rPET bottles in a short time period, while recycled raw materials are still scarce. Mrs Marchini insisted on the need to support the right behaviour and awareness amongst consumers on correct waste disposal. Werner Bosmans, from the EU Commission (Team leader “Plastics” DG Environment) and a member of the panel, confirmed that, from the EU standpoint, it is necessary to improve the quality of the recycling process and curb plastic waste and littering, since all packaging in the EU market must be reusable and recyclable by 2030. Aldo Scalini (counsellor at Van Bael & Bellis) gave an insight on latest EU trade laws and regulations, particularly detailing on the possibility of additional anti-dumping investigations, even though none is actually on the table at present. The final group of panellists explained the challenges faced by the PET industry in overcoming various issues caused by the pandemic, around the world, and the related consequences. Herman Sharma (Reliance Ind.) said the supply chain was the most affected area of the business chain, while PET applications showed good resilience; Christian Mayr (Alpla) underlined first the change in trade flows, as countries in the Far-East may not be competitive for some time, and then the great crisis in the Horeca business which impacted the beverage sector negatively. Stefano Marini, CEO of San Pellegrino, revealed the prompt actions taken by his company to support struggling restaurants, major customers of the Nestlé Company, just three weeks into the worst pandemic period. In times of crisis, companies often respond positively. Coert Michielsen (Refresco) moved the discussion towards collection; his proposal was to include the retail sector in such operations. He also suggested that retailers could be invited to the next PET Day as part of a round table discussion on this issue. Finally, the hot topic of the logistics crisis was left to Salvatore Feraco (DHL) who explained the causes and the reasons for what happened and is still ongoing in world trade. There were few signs of optimism, with the current excessive rates forecast to remain well into 2022. The use of bulk vessels is growing but this will not change the scenario: big corporations like Walmart and Ikea are being compelled to buy their own ships to ensure reliable supply. With DHL’s gloomy picture, the 19th PET Day came to an end, leaving participants facing a number of scenarios which are likely to cause huge changes in the entire structure of the polyester industry, and which will be witnessed in the years to come. www.gsiplastic.com
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