First PET Network Meeting held in Brussels

- 21 September 2011 -

First PET Network Meeting held in Brussels -
Industry and users commit to working together to make the PET Value Chain Sustainable

Brussels, 21 September 2011; Over 100 people representing the entire PET value chain met in Brussels last week and committed to working together on a regular basis to ensure the sustainability of the PET value chain.

Gathering for the first time, representatives from right across the PET value chain came together for a full-day meeting to explore common challenges and approaches in ensuring the future sustainability of the material. 

This first  event, which was hosted by UNESDA, the Union of European non-alcoholic beverages associations, welcomed manufacturers, converters and downstream users as well as recyclers and recovery organizations. Through a series of presentations and panel discussions the participants shared experience and best practice approaches from across Europe and beyond. They discussed a wide range of issues from legislation to innovation and focused particularly on the recycling of PET and the spurs and barriers to growth.

“We have been delighted with the level of enthusiasm and energy at this inaugural meeting and look forward to our next meeting,” said Cees van Dongen, on behalf of UNESDA.  “By bringing the whole PET value chain together we strengthen the industry and demonstrate our determination to work together to deliver sustainable solutions for the future.”

The meeting was jointly organised by the European Federation of Bottled Waters (EFBW), the European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organizations (EPRO), European Plastics Recyclers (EuPR) and Petcore (PET container recycling Europe) as well as UNESDA.