Source:pagev.net

THE 30TH SYSKEVASIA PACKAGING AND PLASTICA FAIR WAS HELD IN ATHENS

Greece’s capital, Athens, hosted this year’s 30th Syskevasia Packaging and Plastica Fair from October 12 to 15. On the opening day of the fair, held at the Metropolitan Expo, the Hellenic Association of Plastics Industries (AHPI) also organized a conference on Circular Economy and Plastics. Yavuz Eroğlu, Chairman of the Board of PAGEV, PAGÇEV, and SEM Plastik, was invited as a speaker and, in his presentation, shared the latest developments in Turkey’s plastics and recycling sectors with neighboring plastics producers.

The “Circular Economy and Plastics” conference held within the framework of the Syskevasia Packaging and Plastica Fair became a platform where new developments in the plastics sector and environmental issues were discussed from different perspectives. Migration and refugee issues, which are also a major focus in Europe, were frequently addressed during the conference. Turkey’s efforts regarding Syrian refugees were praised.

The conference began with opening speeches by Dimitrios Syrmos, President of the Hellenic Association of Plastics Industries (AHPI), and Socrates Famellos, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environment of Greece. AHPI President Dimitrios Syrmos highlighted that the plastics sector is one of the industries contributing most to Greece’s economic recovery from the crisis. He also criticized the portrayal of plastics as the root cause of all problems while Greece faces numerous environmental issues, including those related to Syrian refugees.

Deputy Minister Socrates Famellos delivered a speech on the European Union’s industrial and environmental policy alignment, stating that the Greek plastics sector would comply with the EU’s plastics strategy while avoiding harm to the industry. He emphasized that solutions would be found by consulting local plastics producers.

Socrates Famellos noted: “We closely follow and appreciate PAGEV’s work.” He praised PAGEV’s initiatives in the plastics sector and environmental issues, emphasizing that environmental solutions cannot be separated from human factors and acknowledging Turkey’s contributions toward addressing the refugee problem.

The conference continued with Alexander Dangis, Director of the European Plastics Converters (EuPC), who delivered a speech titled “EU Plastics Agenda: The Future of Our Industry?” Dangis highlighted the size and economic contribution of the plastics industry in Europe, noting that there are 50,000 product manufacturers, 2,000 raw material producers, and 1,000 recycling companies in Europe, with a total value of €263 billion, providing employment to 1,770,000 people.

Dangis also addressed the obligations imposed on the plastics sector by the EU Circular Economy Package, stating that EU directives are influenced by the negative perception of plastics reflected in global media. He cited the Ellen MacArthur Foundation study predicting more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050. He emphasized the need for the plastics sector to improve recyclability, increase demand for recycled plastic raw materials, collect more plastic waste, and establish state-of-the-art recycling facilities. He also stressed the importance of creating standardized waste collection and separation systems across the EU and collaborating globally on solutions, including supporting projects such as cleaning India’s Ganges River.

Giuseppe Riva, Mediterranean Regional Director of Plastics Europe, gave a presentation on “Responsibilities of the Plastics Sector in the Context of Circular Economy” and discussed Plastics Europe’s activities. He shared information about “Operation Clean Sweep” and expressed the organization’s views on the EU draft regulation banning single-use plastics, highlighting the importance of recycling and consumer awareness.

PAGEV represented the Turkish plastics industry in Athens.

Invited to Athens for the Circular Economy and Plastics Conference, PAGEV Chairman Yavuz Eroğlu had the opportunity to address neighboring plastics producers and share his views on environmental issues debated in the European Union and their direct impact on the plastics industry. At the event, where he met with Greek plastics producers, European colleagues, and senior representatives of plastics organizations, Eroğlu delivered a presentation titled “Turkey’s Plastics and Recycling Sector in the Context of Circular Economy.”

At the beginning of his speech, Yavuz Eroğlu emphasized that they believe in environmentally compatible development models. He stressed that environmental issues should be a priority not only for environmental organizations but for everyone and that they should be addressed within a scientific framework. Eroğlu also highlighted the irreplaceable contributions of plastics to daily life, noting that these contributions continue to grow each year through new applications.

Following the conference, which featured diverse perspectives on the circular economy and the role of plastics within it, the opening of the Syskevasia Packaging and Plastica Fair took place, and the exhibition booths were visited.