The 2nd Plastics Recycling Conference, which brought together the leading experts, decision makers and innovative companies of the Turkish and international plastic recycling industry, was held with great interest within the Replast Eurasia Fair. This event, where rapid technological developments in the field of plastic recycling, innovations in sustainability policies and global market dynamics were closely followed, offered valuable information sharing and cooperation opportunities to industry professionals. Participants had the opportunity to comprehensively evaluate current developments and future trends in a wide range from quality supply chain management to certification processes, from compliance with international standards to environmentally friendly production models. Thus, the conference was not only an information transfer platform, but also an important meeting point that opened the doors to new collaborations in the sector with business meetings and networking events held within the scope of the exhibition.

The conference programme consisted of three panels with important discussions on the current problems and opportunities of the sector. Participants also exchanged information with the speakers in interactive question-answer sessions.
 

PANEL I:  International Perspective on Plastic Recycling: Global Developments and Emerging Trends
 

Moderator: Mehmet Turhan Onur (MEG SNETOR General Manager)

This panel was a comprehensive session where international developments in plastics recycling and new trends in the sector were discussed. Under the moderation of moderator Mehmet Turhan Onur, the following valuable speakers shared their views and experiences:

• Pietro Simonetti (SUKANO Account Manager)

• Carolina Gregorio (DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY Sustainabilitiy Policy and Advocacy Strategy Director EMEA Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics)

• Sory Camara (Fédération Des Gestionnaires Des Déchets de Guinée ( FEGEDEG) President)

• Marco Bellotti (CMG Sales & Marketing Director)

• Ermis Panagiotopoulos (INDORAMA VENTURES PCL Head of Sustainability Advocacy EMEA)

• Christian Crépet (PETCORE EUROPE)

• Alexandre Dangis (GREENDOT GROUP Vice-President Global Corporate Affairs)

• Carolina Perujo Holland (ICIS Senior Analyst, Plastic Recycling, EMEA)

In the panel, the global perspective of plastic recycling, sustainability approaches and current trends in the sector were shared in detail with the participants.

II. Panel: Plastic Recyled Content & Recycling Process Certification

Moderator: Kurt Kuruç

In this panel moderated by Kurt Kuruç, recycled plastic content and recycling process certification issues were discussed by the leading experts of the sector. The speakers who took the floor in the panel were as follows:

• Tom Gaynor (REPAK, Chief Operations Officer)

• Marchel van de Grift (VERPACT, Head of Advisory and Accounts)

• Xavier Lhoir (VALIPAC, Deputy Managing Director)

• Yağmur Eroğlu (CERTILOOP General Manager)

The panel was completed by sharing detailed information about the importance and applications of recycling certification processes.

III. Panel:  Use of Recycled Plastic: Opportunities, Quality Management, and Supply Chain

Moderator: Alp F. Özdenler (CHEMORBIS General Manager)

In this panel moderated by Alp F. Özdenler, opportunities in the use of recycled plastics, quality management and supply chain management were discussed. The panel speakers were as follows:

• Erdem Baltalı (COCA COLA Sustainability & Supplier Director)

• Zühal Meydan (UNILEVER TURKIYE Beauty and Personal Care Category Senior Manager of Packaging Development R&D)

• Övünç Dirik (BAKCYCLE General Manager)

• Theresia Gollner (ALPLA Regional Operational Projects & Sustainability Manager AMET)

• Aslıhan Arıkan (ASD Consultant)

The panel ended with a discussion on the quality of sustainable plastic use and critical points in the supply chain.