Ban on plastic packaging slows down innovation – Recycling instead of landfill

In an interview in “Die Welt” the new EU Commissioner for Environment, Virginijus Sinkevicius, thinks aloud about a general ban on plastic packaging in Europe. The Associations representing the European polymer industry consider this idea to be counterproductive and calls on the EU Commissioner to do more to ensure that plastic packaging in Europe does not end up in landfills but is recycled.

After the EU already banned various disposable plastic articles and packaging last year, the new Environment Commissioner Sinkevicius considers it appropriate to impose further bans. In his view, it is important to generally ban plastic packaging.

The industryconsiders such statements to be dangerous because they question the future of plastic packaging in a circular economy. “The Commissioner should ask himself how his statement will be received by those who are about to decide on investments in recyclable packaging or recycling plants. If politicians exclude plastic packaging from the circular economy, these urgently needed investments will certainly not be made,” comments the  Managing Director of IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen.Dr. Martin Engelmann.

While a strict landfill ban has been in force in Germany since 2005, household waste may still be landfilled to a large extent throughout the EU until 2030. We see a faster end to landfill as the most important lever for the circular economy.

Moreover, the IK criticises the effect of such prohibitions on consumers. “Some politicians are currently suggesting to consumers and voters that blanket bans can be used to overcome the major challenges in environmental and climate protection. Unfortunately, they  forget to mention the contribution plastic packaging makes, for example, to CO2 savings and food safety,” complains Engelmann. If plastic is replaced by other materials in packaging, this usually results in increased energy consumption and significantly higher CO2 emissions.

The polymer industry associations and the companies they represent expect the new EU Commission to make decisions based on facts and not on trends of the zeitgeist.

Branch Association Polymers is a registered cluster of plastic converting and recycling companies in BG which also includes academic and research organisations in the field of polymers. The cluster is categorized by the Executive Agency for Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises under procedure BG16RFOP002-2.009 “Development of clusters in Bulgaria” as developing.

Our focus is on strengthening cohesion, partnership and cooperation among cluster companies, research and academic institutions. We aim at an in-depth understanding of the whole of the value chain for polymers  production with a view to sustainable development and economic effectiveness and to contribute towards the development of companies and maintaining employment by anticipating changes and the emergence of new technologies.

We work to establish a structure where members can work in together on the creating synergies, implementing new products and technologies, introduce innovative product portfolios on the local and international markets, and develop successful cooperation by implementing common projects.

We aim to:

• create a communications network in the industry (micro-companies, SMEs, large companies and groups), academic and private research and those involved in training, both initial and ongoing,
• increase efforts to innovate through a pooled approach,
• encourage and support the emergence and running of collaborative research and innovative product projects.

Our Mission is:

• To provide technical and professional support to plastic and polymer branch, by dissemination of quality, technical and specialized information, leading collaboration between companies in sector, in order to promote innovation and improved competitiveness and networking.

INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, today discloses first results of the ResolVe project. This project addresses research related to chemical recycling of polystyrene.

The ResolVe project team now has proof of concept of closed loop recycling. The process converts waste polystyrene back to pure styrene via a depolymerisation process, followed by a polymerisation process resulting in a quality identical to virgin polystyrene. Polystyrene is one of very few polymers that can be converted back into its specific monomer. The results show that polystyrene is very well recyclable.

Fundamental questions covered in the ResolVe project include the yield of styrenics in the chemical recycling process and the impact of non-styrenic waste contaminations. It turns out that the chemical recycling process for polystyrene is sensitive to PET contamination. On the other hand, it is hardly impacted by contamination with polyolefins of up to ten percent.

These findings not only allow INEOS Styrolution to address the next step of the project – the pilot phase. They also prepare the grounds for scaling the process for industrial use, and they allow to give guidance to waste sorters.

Norbert Niessner, Director Global R&D/ Intellectual Property at INEOS Styrolution, comments: “The ResolVe project gives us an insight into chemical recycling. As a result, we can clearly say: Polystyrene is indeed made for recycling. Together with today’s progress in sorting technologies of post-consumer waste, I am confident that there is no longer a reason for polystyrene not to be recycled.”

The ResolVe project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education, BMBF, is jointly executed by INEOS Styrolution together with Neue Materialien GmbH Bayreuth as well as with two institutes of the University of Aachen (RWTH) – the Institute for Processing and Recycling (Institut für Aufbereitung und Recycling, I.A.R.) and the Institute of Plastics Processing (Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung, IKV).

On 20 September 2019 in Brussels, the Circular Plastics Alliance presented and adopted its declaration. The declaration describes the alliance’s vision for more recycled plastics in Europe, as well as their commitments for action to reach the EU target to incorporate 10 million tonnes of recycled plastics into products in the EU annually by 2025.

During the event, Alexandre Dangis, Managing Director of EuPC, signed the declaration on behalf of the European plastics converting industry. EuPC is one of the many private and public stakeholders involved in the plastics value chains that have joined together in the Circular Plastics Alliance, supported by the European Commission in the context of the European Plastics Strategy, to promote the use of more recycled plastics in Europe through voluntary action.

The over 100 signatories declare their commitment to work together along the plastics value chains, including all relevant public and private actors across Europe, to reach this objective whilst ensuring the functionalities of plastic products and packaging, not compromising on consumer protection, safety and hygiene.

All organisations, companies and public authorities willing to contribute to delivering the commitments of the alliance can co-sign the declaration. More information is available here. The declaration can be found here.

On 16 September 2019, Plastic Europe, together with 92 other European associations representing key European stakeholders in the field of research and innovation, signed a joint statement urging the EU institutions to make research, development and innovation (RD&I) a priority within the next financial framework 2021-2027.

The associations urge the Council of the EU to increase the budget allocated under Horizon Europe to at least EUR 120 billion, of which at least 60% should be earmarked for a pillar “Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness.”

The European innovation community is committed to be actively involved in a concrete co-creation process towards Horizon Europe’s successful implementation. However, the programme will need an adequate budget at the level of its ambitions. The European Parliament has already taken a stand to prioritise RD&I in the EU budget. Similarly, we encourage Member States to support a budget of at least €120 billion (in 2018 prices). This would ensure that Horizon Europe delivers on its promises to:

• Boost Europe’s future growth, employment and competitiveness. As recognised in the European Industrial Strategy, RD&I is the real engine of growth. Getting a sufficient budget for Horizon Europe would not only mean the creation of up to 100,000 jobs in RD&I activities between 2021-2027, but also €11 of GDP in return for each €1 invested over 25 years.
• Secure Europe’s seat amongst the frontrunners of the technological revolution. While the international competition for innovative solutions escalates, European RD&I expenditure remains relatively low compared to our global competitors. The target of 3% of GDP invested in R&D should now become a reality.
• Develop and scale up the technologies that will power our continent in the 21st century. Horizon Europe needs to build on the successes of Horizon 2020 and scale up the investments made so far. As stated by the Lamy Group, we need a budget that paves the way for Europe to deliver on the key societal challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

For such promises to be fulfilled, excellent cross-border collaborative RD&I with impact needs to be prioritised within Horizon Europe. EU Members States should allocate a budget share of at least 60% of Horizon Europe’s total budget to its pillar II – Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness. This pillar is the truly collaborative part of Horizon Europe, breaking silos to promote the flow of knowledge between public research and industry. This Horizon Europe pillar II is crucial to:

• Build long-term trust-based partnerships amongst a wide variety of European RD&I actors, which is an indispensable element to strengthen Europe’s RD&I ecosystems and industrial value-chains. This would ensure the Industry’s uptake of novel technologies and scale up into new solutions, products and services, improving people’s well-being and quality of life, and increasing European competitiveness.
• Reduce risk and uncertainty and stimulate business investment in Europe by demonstrating the EU’s support to technology-intensive sectors (including Key Enabling Technologies). This would give the right incentive to private innovators to invest in Europe, rather than abroad.
• Join forces at EU level to better face the great challenges of today and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. The Horizon Europe pillar II, containing missions and partnerships, especially aims at this ambitious objective and therefore needs to be supported by an adequate budget.

On 27 August 2019 a meeting was held at the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW), between Deputy Minister Nikolay Kanchev and representatives of the Branch Association of Polymers (BAP), on the initiative of the MEP Andrey Slabakov.

The main topic was the transposition of the adopted Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament of 5 June 2019 on reducing the environmental impact of certain disposable plastic products.

During the discussion Tsvetanka Todorova – Chairman of the Board of BAP emphasized that BAP insists that the deadlines for transposition of the Directive should be as light as possible for the polymer industry, so that plastics processors can be reconfigured, paying attention to: the imperative change on a legislative basis, and the construction of a sufficient number of composting facilities for disposable waste from biodegradable polymers, methods for reporting the fulfillment of the objectives of the Directive, the allocation of funds from the manufacturer’s extended liability, methods for certification of biodegradable and recyclable materials, and products, proving the percentage content and quality of recycling, insisting on the participation of BAP in the working group of the Ministry of Environment and Water.

Dencho Denev (Noviz AD, Plovdiv) offered a grace period for the articles in the prohibition list and paid particular attention to the lack of control over the sale of polymer products.

Rumen Ivanov (ZHU-BG EOOD, Gabrovo) spoke about the huge losses that Bulgarian producers will bear and raised the question of how they will be compensated.

Theodora Zhelyazkova (“ATE PLAST” Ltd., Stara Zagora) emphasized the need for dialogue between MoEW and BAP and stated that large trade chains should also be involved in the debate.

Deputy Minister Nikolay Kanchev asked for concrete proposals BAP invited to participate in the activities of the working group at the Ministry. He stressed that very soon, major legislative changes are ahead of the European Directive. He explained that due to the expected losses, it was suggested that Bulgarian producers receive interest-free loans.

In turn, MEP Andrei Slabakov emphasized the need for an information campaign for separate collection of plastic waste. He explained that he had begun the study of European funds and programs that could possibly support Bulgarian producers.

A meeting of BAP representatives with MEP Andrei Slabakov was held on 17 August 2019 to discuss the impact on the polymer branch of Directive 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council on reducing the environmental impact of certain plastic products.

Mr. Slabakov is committed to facilitating dialogue between the MOEW and BAP on the transposition and implementation of the Directive in Bulgaria, on which will discuss the expected adverse effects on polymer industry and the possibilities of  their overcoming.

On July 4 and 5, 2019 in Helsinki, a meeting will be held between the EU Ministers responsible for Competitiveness. Although the appointment of a special Vice-President for Industry is expected, the polymer industry in Europe remains united in a Joint call to the Heads of State and Government.

Branch Association Polymers supports this united initiative by signing the joint paper on the positioning of industry at the core of the EU’s future with a Joint call to the Heads of State and Government to:

• Urge the next European Commission to shortlist industry as a top priority of its 5-year Work Programme and appoint a dedicated Vice-President for Industry;
• Require the next European Commission to swiftly present an ambitious long-term EU industrial strategy, which shall include clear indicators and governance;
• Take stock, each year at the Spring European Council, of progress in the implementation of this EU industrial strategy, and provide political guidance to foster European competitiveness.

With the signing of this document, BAP, together with the rest of the polymer industry, relies on proactive and coordinated leadership to ensure that Europe remains a hub for a leading, smart, innovative and sustainable industry, that benefits all Europeans and future generations.

Please read the entire document here:   A Joint call to the Heads of State and Government

On 27 March 2019 the European Parliament adopted the final text of the draft Directive on the reduction of the use of certain types of plastic products during its plenary session without any further changes to the text. The final version of the directive was agreed during the trialogue negotiations between Parliament and the Council before Christmas last year and then approved by the Environment Committee earlier in January 2019.

Prior to the vote, MEPs discussed their positions, with the majority welcoming the initiative of the European Commission and insisting on continuing to work in the field of plastics – from micro- and nanoplastics to endocrine disruptors in packaging. However, some MEPs share their concerns about the speed of the legislative process, the loss of jobs and the danger of such short-sighted policies that do not take into account other disposable materials, alternatives and the general lack of enforcement by the Member States.

The Directive has been approved by a large majority of MEPs with 560 in favour, 35 not in favour and 28 abstentions. Clearly, the European Parliament has endorsed the proposal and the scope enlargement as earlier negotiated this year. This result comes as no surprise as, since its early stages, many politicians have seen such a topic as an entry pass for the next legislation cycle.

The Single Use Plastics Directive, voted by the European Parliament, aims at combating waste that falls into the sea basins through a set of ambitious measures:

• Prohibition of selected disposable products made of plastic for which there are alternatives on the market: cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, eyepieces, balloon sticks and cups, food and beverage containers made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) and on all products made of oxo-degradable plastics.
• Measures to reduce the consumption of packaging for food products and beverage containers made of plastics and specific labeling of certain products.
• Producers’ incentives to cover waste treatment costs applied to products such as tobacco filters and fishing gear.
• A 90% separate collection of plastic bottles by 2029 (77% by 2025) and the introduction of design requirements for attachment bottle caps, and 25% recycled material in PET bottles from 2025 and 30% 2030 in all plastic bottles.

European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Commissioner for Environment, Karmenu Vella were also present. The former has been an enthusiastic supporter of the proposal since the beginning and he declared that the focus on plastics is here to stay. As it is shared by the full spectrum of the Parliament, it will be taken on board by the next Commission and Council.

EuPC, while acknowledging the need for a clean environment and seas, still considers this legislative act and the text flawed, both on merit and on the procedural steps to hurry the overall legislative process.

Unfortunately, such a regulatory act has been adopted that discriminates against material that has a vital role to play in addressing the current global societal challenges over the coming decades. This decision will have a direct negative impact and the loss of thousands of jobs across Europe. This vote requires Member States and citizens to live and change their consumption habits without focusing on what is key, namely education and pollution reduction behavior. Pollution will continue, but with different products. Unfortunately not properly conducted impact assessments or life cycle analyzes have been carried out due to extremely short deadlines due to the wave taken by EU politicians to fight for the so-called “good cause”.

Following the approval of the text of the Directive by the European Parliament, the Council will adopt the text without debate at a future meeting. As originally planned and recommended by the Commission, the publication in the Official Journal of the EU is now expected in April/May 2019, just in time before the European elections.

Браншова Асоциация Полимери организира и проведе двудневен семинар на тема “Процес и технологии за шприцване на пластмаси”. Семинарът се организира с чуждестранни лектори от Турската агенция EGE за консултантски и инженерни услуги. Обучението се проведе в периода 25-26 февруари 2019 в ДК „Борис Христов“, гр. Пловдив.

На обучението се включиха 21 представители от 8 фирми от бранша, като по-голямата част от участниците не бяха членове на БАП. Асоциацията отправи покана за участие в семинара и към фирми от бранша, които не членуват в БАП, но също изпитват затруднения при намирането на квалифицирани кадри и тяхното обучение. В двудневния семинар присъстваха представители на 5 фирми, които предвид удовлетворението от ползотворния семинар са заявили интереса си да се присъедният към Асоциацията, за да има възможност да участват и в други бъдещи семинари.

Техническият семинар бе разделен в два последователни дни на две нива в сферата на процесите и технологиите за шприцване на пластмаси.

През първия ден от обучението застъпени бяха темите: Избор на материали, Полимерна химия, Характеристика на полимерите и Условия при технологиите за шприцване.

Вторият ден от семинара бе посветен на теми, свързани с Настройки на машините за шприцване на пластмаси, Отстраняване на неизправности, Задаване на параметри и формулировки.

В края на ползотворното обучение на всички участници бяха връчени официални сертификат за участие в техническия семинар.