TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 07+08/22 www.petpla.net 44 Refl ecting the interest in recycling plastics in Latin America Plastics Recycling Latam The first edition of Plastics Recycling Latam, which took place on June 8-9, 2022 in Mexico City, proved that it was the suitable platform to talk about recycling, circular economy and sustainability of plastics in Latin America. There are already confirmed dates for 2023. On June 8 and 9, 343 attendees witnessed the first edition of Plastics Recycling Latam: a conference and exhibition that brought together, under one roof, all those interested in keeping the conversation active about trends, technologies and sustainable goals for the plastics recycling market in the Latin American region. The event, organised by Plastics Technology México magazine and its publishing house Gardner Business Media, with the support of the non-profit association Ecoce, grew out of the idea of promoting and supporting the development of the plastics recycling industry in Mexico and Latin America, with the aim of allowing all the actors in the value chain of this market to create new contacts, as well as gain knowledge and market information. An offering of knowledge, networking and technologies With over 30 presentations, the conference program offered a wide range of topics that covered market trends, local success cases on plastics recycling and innovative technologies that make the circularity of plastics easier. Also, there were four discussion panels that brand owners, recyclers and national and international associations participated to present an outlook on the current state of the sector in Mexico and Latin America, as well as the main needs to promote growth and development. Aside from the conference agenda, there was a commercial exhibition, where 17 global technology companies, providing materials and/or services for this vibrant market, shared with visitors all their news while generating new business opportunities in Latin America. “This was a fantastic event - it really is essential to help share knowledge between people, and in addition to that, this conference also created an excellent networking opportunity. I’ve had conversations with a number of people, and now we need to work on those connections so that together we can continue to move these issues forward,” said Megg Humphrey, Wrap’s plastics industry specialist who was one of the keynote speakers at the event. Terry Glass, Executive Director of the Plastics Division of Chemical Market Analytic (formerly IHS Markit), said: “It is good to create a network and see how the different regions interact. I believe that Mexico is still very young in its development, from the point of view of recycling technology, and has much to learn from other regions such as the United States or Europe. So being able to talk with colleagues from other geographies and see new technologies helps to create a very useful network”. “These events are important, so that society, industry and government find out what is happening in the recycling sector. It is so easy to talk when you don’t have that knowledge and the big picture. That is why we must consider this type of events to have that knowledge and I hope that it will be repeated every year”, said Laura Michua, from Arpema Plásticos and a panelist at the event. From the front of the brand owners, Sofía Díaz Rivera, Head of Sustainability at Danone Mexico, and panelist at the event stated: “I really liked coming to Plastics Recycling Latam and learn how to interact with other actors that I did not know. The whole subject of chemical recycling, pyrolysis, recycling of high-density polyethylene was very interesting to me. I feel that the PET issue, at least on our side, has already been resolved, but for other plastics we still have many opportunities”. During the opening of the event, Claude Mas, Executive Director of International Business of Gardner Business Media, welcomed the attendees and stated that Plastics Recycling Latam’s mission is to connect, learn and work together to support the industry. The executive explained that recycling events are beginning to grow around the world: “This is the first for Mexico and Latin America and every year we will continue to increase the quality and quantity of content so that this event can support its local, national missions. and international”. Natalia Ortega, Editorial Director of Plastics Technology Mexico magazine, indicated that Plastics Recycling Latam arises from the imperative need to promote and support the development of the plastics recycling industry in Mexico and Latin America, through new contacts, new knowledge, market information and the creation of business opportunities. The organisation of the event confirmed that Plastics Recycling Latam will return in 2023, on June 7 and 8, to Mexico City. www.plasticsrecyclinglatam.com
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