Source:pagev.net

Yavuz Eroğlu, Chairman of the Board of AGEV, PAGÇEV, and SEM Plastik, attended the World Plastics Council meeting in Malaysia.

 

Call for Investment in Turkey from the Global Recycling Industry

The global plastics industry, which met in Malaysia, focused on developing sustainable approaches while maintaining economic growth. Yavuz Eroğlu, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Plastics Industry Research, Development and Education Foundation (PAGEV), PAGÇEV, and SEM Plastik, delivered a speech as a council member at the World Plastics Council event. Highlighting global cooperation and recycling, he stated:

“The meeting in Malaysia demonstrated the global plastics industry’s efforts to advance sustainability and environmental responsibility. Due to our production capabilities and geographical advantages, we believe that Turkey will become a hub in the global recycling sector in the coming period. In this regard, we attach great importance to the first international recycling fair, RePlast Eurasia Plastic Recycling and Raw Materials Fair, which will be held in Istanbul from May 2-4. Thanks to Turkey’s competitive advantage in recycling, we are calling on the global recycling industry to invest in Turkey.”

At the World Plastics Council held in Malaysia, which was attended by over 50 plastics industry leaders from different regions of the world, strong collaborations were agreed upon in the plastics sector to combat climate change, focusing primarily on reducing carbon emissions, preventing microplastics, expanding deposit return systems, and increasing recycling investments.

During the event, it was also decided to contribute to the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme to establish a scientific framework for a global agreement on preventing plastic pollution, to accelerate efforts under Operation Clean Sweep—a global initiative aimed at preventing plastic pellets from entering the environment, with regional representation managed by PAGEV—and to discuss the effects of the Basel Convention’s new format for controlling waste shipments on the industry.

Yavuz Eroğlu, Chairman of the Board of PAGEV, PAGÇEV, and SEM Plastik, participated as a speaker at the meeting, and productive discussions were held with industry leaders on taking sustainable steps while maintaining the pace of economic growth.

WE BELIEVE WE WILL BECOME A HUB IN THE RECYCLING INDUSTRY

 

In his speech representing Turkey, which ranks sixth in the global plastics industry, Eroğlu highlighted plastic waste shipments under the Basel Convention, the Fourth Session (INC-4) meeting of the UN Environment Programme’s Plastic Pollution Treaty to be held in Canada in April, and Operation Clean Sweep activities.

Emphasizing the importance of environmental and quality management controls in the plastics industry, Eroğlu stated:

“The meeting in Malaysia demonstrated the global plastics industry’s efforts to advance sustainability and environmental responsibility. Platforms like these, conducted in cooperation with other countries, contribute significantly to reducing and recycling plastic waste. We believe it is crucial to act quickly with all stakeholders regarding measures to prevent pellet loss. In recent months, under the Basel Convention, Turkey, as an OECD member, has gained an advantageous position with new regulations restricting the shipment of plastic waste to non-OECD countries. As we have always said, plastic waste today is more valuable than oil. Due to our production capabilities and geographical advantages, we believe that in the coming period, our country will become a hub in the global recycling sector.”

A BALANCED APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND GROWTH

 

At the event, Eroğlu recalled that one of the key issues for the global plastics sector is the UN Environment Programme’s negotiations on preventing global plastic pollution, stating:

“Regarding these negotiations, we decided to continue joint efforts to adopt an approach that prioritizes the carbon footprint in light of scientific data. Within this framework, PAGEV, representing Turkey—the second largest plastics producer in Europe—has informed the Gulf countries, the EU, Far Eastern petrochemical and plastics producers, as well as plastic-focused NGOs in the U.S. and the Americas. While contributing to our country’s environmental sustainability efforts together with our ministries, we also aim for a balanced approach that allows growth to continue and provide prosperity to our people. In this context, PAGEV has decided to carry this approach of our global industry to the UN meeting to be held in Canada.”

INVEST IN THE RECYCLING SECTOR IN TURKEY

 

In his speech, Eroğlu called on recycling sector representatives from all countries to invest in Turkey’s recycling industry, stating: “In this context, we attach great importance to the first international recycling fair, RePlast Eurasia Plastic Recycling and Raw Materials Fair, which will be held in Istanbul from May 2-4. Requests from various parts of the world, especially Europe, give us hope that this interest will be lasting. We invite everyone engaged in plastic recycling, as well as those producing and using recycling technologies, to the fair, which will be held at the TÜYAP Fair Center in cooperation with TÜYAP and our Green Transformation and Technology Association (PAGÇEV).”

PAGEV’s approaches in sustainability, environmental awareness, and economic growth in the plastic sector have drawn attention, while its participation in globally organized events is creating new opportunities for the future of the industry. The international certification program Operation Clean Sweep, designed to prevent plastic granules, scraps, and flakes—considered microplastics—from leaking into nature, demonstrates the plastic industry’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and taking steps toward a cleaner future.