Poland has a great tradition of steel making, and it is currently one of the fastest growing markets for packaging in Europe. It was in this light that representatives of the steel industry, customers and recycling stakeholders came together last October for a conference aimed at highlighting the role that steel packaging can play in the transition to a circular economy in Central Europe.
Opening the event, APEAL President Dr Ulrich Roeske said: “The Steel for Packaging industry is proactively supporting the concept of an efficient circular economy. Our vision is a closed steel loop”.
Karl Buttiens, General Manager for Environment and Global CO2 at ArcelorMittal, welcomed participants, underlining how steel is a Fabric of Life due to its undisputed strength and circular economy compliance. He stressed the need to teach respect for materials, define recycling properly and avoid landfill.
Jakub Tyczkowski, president of the board of Polish recycling organisation Rekopol, outlined recent changes to the European Packaging Regulations (EPR) for the Polish market. He said: “Potentially higher EU targets will be a challenge for Poland. The current EPR system is not yet adapted for this and the industry needs to take a proactive position and lead the way.”
Christian Korn, representing U. S. Steel Košice, highlighted the growing demand for steel packaging in Central Europe. He showed how demand is driven by steel’s excellent product protection and preservation properties avoiding food waste, as well as by convenience of use and consumption and a wide offering of pack sizes.
Steel packaging’s market-leading European average recycling rate of 75% was highlighted by Tony Waite from TataSteel Europe who also confirmed the steel for packaging industry’s objective of achieving a recycling rate of 80% by 2020. He commented that Central Europe had a key role to play in helping achieve this target and realise a true circular economy.
Stéphane Tondo of ArcelorMittal demonstrated how steel packaging is a green solution for Central Europe and complies with the EU’s Circular Economy requirements for product design, sourcing and waste efficiency. He added that steel, as a permanent material, recycles forever.
Mazovia region Marshall Adam Struzik recognised the efforts made by the steel for packaging industry in Europe and described his expectation that the conference will “help to develop a common position concerning the ambitious targets set by the circular economy package in the European Union, and also demonstrate that legal changes are necessary in Polish legislation so that the system is actually closed-loop.”
Indeed, delegates experienced the closed-loop recycling of steel first-hand during a tour of the ArcelorMittal Warszawa manufacturing plant. The visit also clearly demonstrated how all steel plants are effectively recycling plants because steel scrap is an integral part of the manufacturing process, just one of the reasons behind the great sustainability story of steel.
Secretary General Alexander Mohr concluded: “Steel for packaging is a great example of a material ideal for the circular economy. Steel is a win, win, win for customers, the economy and the environment.”
View event photo gallery here
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