Under the initiative, being led by Werner Prдtorious of BASF, the APME would take a bigger role

Under the initiative, being led by Werner Prдtorious of BASF, the APME would take a bigger role

Leading polymer producers are planning a major shake-up of the current plastics trade association structure in Europe, to give the Brussels-based Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe a bigger role. The proposed change is understood to focus on the creation of a number of regional associations under the aegis of a European organisation.

The initiative, led by current APME president Werner Prдtorious of BASF, has involved a study to assess the effectiveness of the current associations. The new body would represent polymer producers and be a clear threat to existing organisations. Both the British Plastics Federation and the Packaging Industrial Films Association have been visited during the course of this exercise. Cost saving and more effective representation of the producers’ interests are key drivers for the initiative, which will be put before the APME next month.

The existing structure is not seen as appropriate by several leading polymer makers, partly because the industry’s reputation and image remain so low in the public’s perception. On the other hand, its achievement in other areas such as legislation on waste management, has been praised. But the producers are understood to feel that a different approach would be more appropriate.