15 December 2016
DETAILS
As part of its Circular Economy Package,
the European Commission
has proposed challenging targets
for the plastics industry.
By 2025, 55% of plastic packaging waste
must be prepared for re-use and recycling.
The industry recognises
that a business as usual approach
will not meet this target.
Fresh approaches and close collaboration
across the value chain are required.
Borealis has taken two important steps
in response to meet these challenges.
Firstly, by working with
the plastics industry's trade association,
Borealis participated in the creation and launch of
the Polyolefin Circular Economy Platform (PCEP),
which was launched in October 2016
by three plastics industry organisations:
* PlasticsEurope,
* European Plastic Converters and
* European Plastic Recyclers.
For the first time, the platform will create
a multi-stakeholder group that will seek
to identify the barriers and opportunities
to increase Europe's recycling and work towards
ensuring the supply of high quality recycled plastics
for the European market.
The aim is to increase
the resource efficiency of plastics,
ensure their recovery and prevent any waste
leaking into the marine environment.
The PCEP will work to a five to ten year time horizon,
to deliver effective, science-based solutions.
To support the PCEP's work, Borealis has become
the first prime plastics producer
to join the New Plastics Economy initiative.
This project is led by
the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
and brings together a broad group of stakeholders,
including companies, cities, philanthropists,
policymakers, academics, students, NGOs
and citizens.
Over the next three years, the initiative intends
to redesign the future of plastics,
starting with packaging.
It will drive collaboration across the value chain,
guide innovation to create effective markets,
mobilise 'moonshot' innovations,
develop robust evidence to inform improvement
and engage with stakeholders.
Alfred Stern,
Borealis Executive Vice President Polyolefins
and Innovation and Technology
"Borealis is committed to discovering and realising
the opportunities presented by
the circular economy,
so we are pleased to be involved in both
the PCEP and the New Plastics Economy,"
"These initiatives will play an important role
in bringing all stakeholders to work together
to overcome the barriers to
implementing a circular economy and achieve
the European Commission's 2025 target."
For further information please contact:
Virginia Mesicek
External Communications Manager
Tel. +43 (0)1 22 400 772 (Vienna, Austria)
e-mail: virginia.mesicek@borealisgroup.com
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