NEWS Changes due at EuPC


Trade organisation European Plastics Converters (EuPC) has made several changes to its organisational structure. The changes come as


part of its PolyVision project – launched in June 2022 – that will help the European plastics converting industry move towards a plastics circular economy. “An important aspect for


Europe’s 50,000 SMEs in the plastics converting industry is that family-owned busi- nesses often do not have the management time to foresee important strategic changes,” said Benoît Hennaut, president of EuPC. PolyVision will develop tools and find new ways to help its members who need advice and guidance in the move to a circular economy. The first step has been to appoint Bernard Merkx as managing director, which


Above: Bernard Merkx (left) will be an ideal replacement for Alexandre Dangis (right) as managing director of EuPC, says its president Benoît Hennaut (centre)


will take place on 1 January 2023. Merkx replaces Alexandre Dangis, who has led EuPC for more than 30 years. Dangis will remain senior advisor to EuPC’s president and engage with other circular plastics projects.


“I am honoured to take over this position and continue to guide the industry – with all the


challenges ahead of us,” said Merkx.


Merkx has worked with EuPC as manager of the building & construction division since that start of this year – while his back- ground in plastics recycling will help drive work on the circularity of the European plastics industry, said Hennaut. � www.plasticsconverters.eu


PureCycle and SKGC in PP JV


South Korean-based PP producer SK GeoCentric (SKGC) and solvent-based recycling technology company PureCycle have signed an agreement to build and operate a PP recycling plant in Asia.


Each company will own


50% of the joint venture – located in Ulsan, South Korea – which will have a capacity of up to 54,000 tonnes/year. Completion is expected by the second quarter of 2025.


SKGC will bring market- ing capabilities to the venture, while PureCycle will provide its purification recycling technology/IP and technical capabilities. � http://eng.skgeocentric.com � www.purecycle.com


PPC to take over PPT


US-based PPC Flexible Packaging has bought fellow flexpack company Plastic Packaging Tech- nologies (PPT). PPC produces a range


of flexible packaging, including cleanroom packaging for healthcare and medical applications. By acquiring PPT, it will now have 13 manufactur- ing facilities in the USA. PPT’s products include printed roll stock films – up to 11-colours – high barrier laminations and many pre-made pouch formats. It employs 425 people in the USA. It is owned by David and Dan Staker. “We’ve watched David and Dan build PPT into one of the most respect- ed, technology-driven firms in our industry,” said Kevin Keneally, president & CEO of PPC. David Staker, president and CEO of PPT, added: “This solidifies our position in packaging for the pet care, food and beverage, healthcare and speciality consumer markets in North America.” � www.ppcflex.com


SCG Chem raises capacity at Sirplaste


SCG Chemicals has invested in new technologies and machinery at Sirplas- te, the Portuguese plastics recycler in which it acquired a 70% stake in April. The investment expands production capacity for recycled high-density PE (rHDPE) and high-quality PCR by 9,000 tonnes/year, equivalent to 25% of


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current total production capacity. This will take Sirplaste’s total PCR produc- tion capacity to more than 45,000 tonnes/year.


“SCGC has a clear business strategy


for the green polymer that fulfils the market’s need for sustainability,” said Tanawong Areeratchakul, president and


FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | November 2022


CEO of SCG Chemicals. “The decision to invest in new technologies and machinery at Sirplaste at this time is to strengthen the business and expand the commercial potential to become more competitive in the global market.” � www.scgchemicals.com � www.sirplaste.pt


www.filmandsheet.com


IMAGE: EUPC


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