Source:pagev.net

PAGEV CONGRESS SHEDS LIGHT ON THE FUTURE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY

PAGEV continues its tradition of illuminating the future of the sector by tracking new trends and following developments worldwide, an important part of its founding vision. The Turkish Plastics Industry Congress, over the years, has transformed into an organization that raises the bar in both content and participants. Key figures and topics shaping the plastics sector in Turkey and globally gather under the PAGEV umbrella.

The 13th Turkish Plastics Industry Congress, held last year under the main theme “Plastics of the Future,” hosted highly significant guests. One of the highlights was the panel titled “What Awaits the Plastics Sector in the Future.” The panel was moderated by Yavuz Eroğlu, Chairman of the Board of PAGEV, PAGÇEV, and SEM Plastik, and featured leading figures in the global plastics industry as panelists, including Renato Zelcher, President of the EuPC – European Plastics Converters; Karl Foerster, Executive Director of PlasticsEurope, European Association of Plastics Manufacturers; Keith A. Christman, CEO of the American Chemistry Council (ACC); and Giuseppe Riva, Mediterranean Regional Director of PlasticsEurope. The panel attracted great interest from industry representatives.

The panel left a lasting impression by addressing the challenges faced by the plastics sector in Europe, the US, and globally, offering solutions, and discussing how the future of the industry will take shape. While the issue of plastic bags in Turkey has recently been a hot topic, it was emphasized that negative perceptions of plastics are not unique to Turkey. The number one global agenda for the plastics sector is environmental concerns related to plastic waste, its collection at the source, and the recycling process. The idea highlighted by Yavuz Eroğlu regarding recycled products also creating new opportunities for the plastics sector was supported by other panelists.

Perhaps the most striking takeaway from the panel was the discussion about the future of plastics. Despite current challenges, all panelists agreed that the future of the plastics sector is bright. As one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century, plastics will continue to find solutions and shape its future through new technological discoveries. Plastics remain a highly valued and irreplaceable material. As Renato Zelcher, President of EuPC, stated: “No one is seeking alternatives to plastics. Whether from renewable sources, biodegradable, soil-decomposable, or lightweight materials, everyone agrees that something must be done in the field of plastics.”

When asked “What awaits the plastics sector in the future?” by moderator Yavuz Eroğlu, the panelists also reflected on their own countries. Experts noted the persistent negative perception of plastics, often shaped by emotions rather than science, and stressed that one of the biggest global challenges for the industry is to change this perception. They also emphasized the importance of collecting plastic waste left in nature. The upcoming single-use plastics ban in Europe was cited as an example, and concerns about its continuation were expressed, along with a call for joint action.

Renato Zelcher responded to the same question, noting: “If we list the challenges we face today, one of the most significant is the negative image of plastics globally and the perception of plastics as pollutants. Recycling is very challenging; we are working on this and will continue to do so. However, emotional messages, like a whale with a plastic bag in its stomach, have much more impact than scientific studies proving the benefits of plastics. In Europe, two elections are coming soon, so everyone will speak negatively about plastics, and people will vote accordingly. But we believe that ocean litter is the real issue, and banning plastics is not the solution. We are trying to talk and lobby with Europeans to show this is not the solution, but reaching a consensus is difficult, so we face tough times. Restrictions on plastics for items like cotton swabs, straws, and plates will start after 2021, likely before the elections, and everyone wants to appear as a supporter of these measures. This restriction will affect a significant portion of the industry but may only be the beginning. We need to progress and be ready to act ourselves. As Chairman Yavuz Eroğlu said, we still believe the future is in plastics.”

Zelcher also emphasized that the plastics sector will continue to grow despite challenges: “CO2 emissions and global warming remain huge issues, even if no one talks about them now. If we switch from plastics to other materials, it will increase costs and emissions, perhaps tenfold. That is not the right solution, so we must be pragmatic. Our sector is dynamic, and companies in Turkey and Europe are heavily investing in new technologies and innovation. Today, we see the need to increase recycled material usage. This is possible with new technologies, but not alone. We need cooperation to ensure waste is collected properly for reuse. I see this as the way forward; I see no alternative. The outlook for our industry remains positive. The EU Consumer Protection Directive may seriously impact some sectors, but for the reasons I mentioned, the plastics sector will continue to grow faster than GDP.”

Renato Zelcher further highlighted that EU regulations demanding more recycled material in final products can also create opportunities for the sector: “We face significant threats, but if approached correctly, this can be an opportunity. The problem is that recycling has so far been used only to reduce material costs. The price approach is the only thing that encouraged people to choose recycled over virgin plastic. However, this is changing today. People want to use recycled materials not for lower cost but because they value sustainability. Consumers are willing to pay as much for recycled material as for newly produced raw materials. That is why we must change our approach. Recycling no longer needs to be cheap. Materials must be reliable, sustainable, and, in the long term, truly sustainable because this is one of today’s most important challenges.”

On the issue of waste management raised by Yavuz Eroğlu, Zelcher cited Italy’s “Corepla” system: “In Italy, we have a new system called Corepla, on whose board we serve. We started about twenty years ago, and now we have achieved results. Although the new targets are still far, we started from scratch, worked hard, and now have roughly 40-45% recycled content in packaging. Of course, we collaborated with municipalities and set quality standards for waste collection. The higher the collection rate, the harder it is to achieve good quality, but we are working hard for this.”

Following Zelcher’s remarks, Eroğlu added: “I believe the situation in Turkey is similar. Turkish laws set mandatory targets for recycled material usage, e.g., 4%. Yes, we must use 4%, but it is still not very effective in the industry. We need to increase the use of recycled material in consumer-facing products, which is one of the most important issues.”