PEPP Day 2

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PEPP Day 2

Tuesday, June 18
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Session 3: Market Trends & Disruptions

The PE and PP markets are critical to the global economy and have demonstrated remarkable resilience during COVID-19. As with many sectors today, the packaging markets are undergoing substantial changes. Supply chain woes persist, and eco-friendliness is becoming increasingly important, leading to rising demand for sustainable packaging. Reducing consumption by finding more resource-efficient ways, the packaging industry must watch emerging trends to stay competitive and innovative along with new needs. This session will focus on current and future market trends in packaging and managing risk in disruptive times due to new regulations, supply chains, and other global issues.

Nick Vafiadis, Vice President, Global Plastics, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Tony Nawar, Sustainability Strategy and Innovation, Berry Global
As both a convertor and recycler Berry has a unique position in Europe which fuels our overall sustainability and ESG strategy to meet Net Zero. This presentation will discuss how Berry addresses the various challenges in the industry such as recyclability, recycled content/recycling uptake, and plastics reduction. Regarding rigid packaging, the various initiatives to drive recyclability improvements such as; color alternatives, replacing metal handles with plastic, etc will be explored while introducing Clearstream® the latest de-contamination technology in mechanical recycling to allow PP to be upcycled towards contact-sensitive applications.

Fabio Peyer, Head of Sustainability, Mondi Flexible Packaging
Unlike rigid plastic packaging, the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is not yet well established in flexible packaging applications. This is going to change in the next 5 years with the introduction of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in Europe, and the associated requirements for PCR incorporation set forth in it for both contact-sensitive and non-contact sensitive packaging. In this presentation, Mondi will discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise from the PPWR provisions, with a particular focus on recycled content from advanced recycling.

 Michael Lacey, Sustainable Products Manager, Tricon International
The EU Green Deal caused a cultural and strategic shift that set decarbonization, and resource conservation goals as part of the energy transition. Regulators and policymakers act as enablers by formulating various rules, taxes, and processes, including plastic tax, recycling targets, ecodesign for packaging, etc. The marketplace will evolve and buyers will face enormous sourcing challenges in a fragmented market lacking transparency, maturity, and depth. Tricon has a ready solution that will give customers peace of mind and help them seamlessly transition into the new environment.

Dorothée Arns, Director General, European Association of Chemical Distributors
This presentation will explore how traders and distributors operate and how their roles have evolved as the industry adapts. How are variables impacting the environment and how do traders and distributors navigate the new normal? What challenges and opportunities will be present as the new normal sets in, and how will this affect the plastics industry?  

Moderator: Martin Wiesweg, Executive Director, Europe & Middle East Plastics, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Connect and engage with industry peers, sessions resume at 1055.  

 

 Session 4: Process & Technology

As we progress to a circular economy, new technology is set to transform the plastics industry. There is a preponderance of technology providers emerging and working to provide technology alternatives that will create more sustainable products with reduced carbon emissions and outstanding material properties. This session will explore the latest in polymer-linked processes and technology in addition to chemical recycling technologies that will set the pace for a circular plastics ecosystem.

Carlos Monreal, Chairman of Chemical Recycling Europe (CRE)

Brian Kimberley, VP, Global Licensing and Services, W. R. Grace & Co.
Grace will delve into how technology enhances growth and advanced recycling amid capacity additions. In 2023, our UNIPOL® PP technology added nearly 2.5 MTA of licensed polypropylene capacity and started up nearly 2.4 MTA of capacity, so we understand how our technology advancements enable growth. Separately, with new capacity coming online, we’re developing advanced recycling technology that helps turn waste PP into virgin monomer without going via the cracker. Brian Kimberley, VP Licensing & Services at Grace, will speak on the versatile technology and innovative solutions that allow Grace to design excellence and deliver success. 

Pavon Sarode, Business Development Manager, Lummus

Lummus Technology proudly offers a diverse portfolio of technologies for polymer production
derived from bio feedstocks, including VerdeneTM PP, HDPE, and SAP. Building upon established
methods used in conventional fossil feedstocks, such as ExceneTM HDPE, Novolen® PP, and
SapleneTM Superabsorbents (SAP), our innovations strive to continually advance process
development, catalysts, and product offerings like Novolen EnhanceTM and PPureTM.

We are committed to supporting the dynamic needs of our rapidly evolving industry by guiding both new and existing licensees. Our aim is not only to deliver cutting-edge polymers to the market but also to ensure that their technology remains at the forefront, empowered by our solutions to
navigate the digital transformation of our sector.

At Lummus Technology, our motto is to “never leave the customer” because we believe in
comprehensive customer support throughout a plant’s lifecycle, ensuring that no customer is left to navigate the complexities alone.

Elisa Conte, Marketing and Business Development Manager, Nouryon
Post consumer or industrial recycled polypropylene with low Melt Flow Index is rare and expensive. Low Melt Flow Index PP is usually needed for applications such as thermoforming, film blowing/casting, foaming, extrusion, relevant for many industry looking into including recycled content such as the packaging, the automotive and the piping industry. The newly developed Perkadox PM product can rebuild the molecular weight of degraded polypropylene and therefore decrease the Melt Flow Index fulfilling the market need of low MFI recycled PP. At the same time the elasticity and the mechanical resistance are improved, allowing higher recycled content in final products.

Moderator: Martin Weisweg, Executive Director, Europe & Middle East Plastics, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Connect and engage with industry peers, sessions to resume at 1345.

 

Session 5: Challenges & Opportunities for Plastics Sustainability

As Europe and other regions prioritize building renewable energy resources, finding ways to improve energy efficiency, and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability is presenting the plastics business with a new reality. While offering a new pathway for growth sustainability is also presenting many challenges, competitive headwinds, and business dynamics. This session will explore growth prospects, scenarios, the right strategies to win, and potential risks that may impede growth.

Albrecht Dix, R&D Project & Business Development Manager, Norner AS
The polymer industry faces more challenges than ever and needs breakthrough technologies which also can be realized in existing capacity, enabling fast implementation. Norner Advance® M addresses important challenges with metallocene catalysts in PE slurry technologies and offers dramatic catalyst cost reduction combined with value added products and reduced environmental impact. Post metallocene heterogeneous catalysts enable high Mw PE in slurry technologies. Such catalysts come however at a high cost which has slowed down market penetration, leaving the high Mw, medium- to high density products to the ZN and Cr catalyst platforms. Norner Advance® M combines the advantages of slurry- and solution technologies, making use of homogeneous (unsupported) metallocene catalysts possible in slurry processes. Norner Advance® M controls fouling, produces similar bulk densities as supported catalysts, provides higher Mw and higher activity than supported catalysts, by using any metallocene complex. Norner has demonstrated the Norner Advance® M PE Technology in continuous bimodal slurry process and is now looking to commercialize with the right partners.
Mark Vester, DerGrünePunkt There are a large number of internal and external factors that have an influence on how one can build a successful business model for a more circular plastics value chain. Crucial as a first step however is that one is able to understand what the relevant key success factors are in the current linear value chain, how a circular value chain could be based on different assumptions and beliefs, and then to strategize how one can build a new business model.

Mino Angelilli, Commercial Director, Circular Plastics, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
In this session we will discuss the transition to plastics circularity for polyolefins in Europe compared to the global current trends.

Moderator: Kaushik Mitra, Executive Director Polyolefins, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS 

Connect and engage with industry peers, sessions resume at 1545.

Session 6: Recycling & Waste Management

A narrow perspective of plastic waste is making way for a broader view of it as a secondary resource of raw material that allows displacement of fossil fuel and helps control carbon footprint. The resource view of plastic waste is drawing capital investment and attracting innovation resources as countries and organizations race to gain leadership in technology and know-how. During this session, learn how organizations can reposition their business model to align with growth opportunities in raw material, intermediate feedstock, and process framework.

Eugene Rudolf, Director of Development, Veolia

This presentation will explore the benefits of plastics recycling and showcase a business approach to develop opportunities for growth and sustainability. It will explore the benefits on resource preservation, climate and ecosystems. It aims to inspire professionals to adopt sustainable waste management practices and to contribute to a circular economy.

Timo Vehrs, Head Circular Economy Business Development Team, OMV AG
 Krisztina Szukup, Product and Asset Portfolio Manager, MOL Group
This presentation will provide a brief introduction of MOL Group and its sustainability goals and MOL GROUP’s vision to build up the integrated circular chemicals value chain in the CEE region. It will then explore circularity achievements and the way forward while discussing challenges and lessons learned as MOL GROUP moves along the path of circularity.

Moderator: Kaushik Mitra, Executive Director Polyolefins, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS 

Session Speakers

Mino Angelilli Commercial Director, Circular Plastics Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Dorothée Arns Director General European Association of Chemical Distributors (Fecc)

Dorothee Arns is a seasoned public affairs and business executive with a proven track record in leading profit and nonprofit organisations successfully. Since June 2019 she is the Director General of the Brussels-based European Association of Chemical Distributors (Fecc), which represents more than 1,600 members across Europe and from all parts of the chemical value chain, including producers, logistics´ and service companies. Prior to this, from 2013 to 2019, she served as Executive Director of Petrochemicals Europe at Cefic, where she was also an active member of Cefic´s leadership team. On the business side, she can look back on a long career in the chemical industry at BASF Ludwigshafen, where she served in various senior business management roles in marketing, sales, eBusiness and controlling in the company´s (petro-)chemical business. Of German nationality, Dorothee studied in Germany, Ireland and Spain and acquired 2 Master degrees: an MBA with focus on international management and one Master degree in Applied Languages & Linguistics.

Elisa Conte Marketing and Business Development Manager, Recycling and Polymer Modification Segment Nouryon

Elisa Conte holds the position of Marketing and Business Development Manager for the Recycling and Polymer Modification segment at Nouryon, in the Polymer Specialties business. She has a PhD in Chemical Engineering by the Technical University of Denmark, and hold several roles in R&D, marketing, and sales at AkzoNobel and now Nouryon. In her current role, she focuses on empowering the recycling industry with the development of additive solutions to improve the final quality of recycled plastic and eventually increase the recycled content in high quality products, paving the road for the circular economy of plastics.

Albrecht Dix R&D Project Platform Manager and Business Developer Norner AS

Albrecht Dix is a R&D Project Platform Manager and Business Developer at Norner AS. He holds a PhD in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Halle, Germany and has over 15 years of experience in various segments and functions of the polyolefin plastic industry, from R&D, application development to product sales. Through his work Albrecht has developed a good understanding of the value chains of the polyolefin plastic industry, from catalyst development to market introduction for applications such as packaging, automotive and infrastructure. He is enthusiastic about supporting clients to accelerate innovation to commercialization and is eager to share and exchange insights with both existing and new clients and partners at the ACI Future of Polyolefins conference. Company – Norner AS Norner is a leading industrial polymer Research & Development centre for the polymer and plastics industry with over 40 years of experience. Norner currently has 94 employees from 16 nationalities and is in an exciting development. Our business vision is to become the market leader in industrial R&D services within the development of innovative and sustainable polymer solutions in close cooperation with leading industry. Norner operates advanced laboratories, polymerisation units and processing pilot centre relevant for industrial scale operations. We want to create value for our customers, owner, and the society through innovation supporting UN's sustainability goals. We moved into a new technology centre in Porsgrunn 2022, where we also invest in new facilities, for the benefit of our customers and projects. Norner covers the whole polymer value chain from catalyst and process development for polymerisation, polymer modification, polymer additivation, industrial applications of polymer to innovative solutions for plastics in a circular economy. We provide R&D and technical services to various industry segments where innovative solutions of plastics and composites are requested. Our efforts are based on expertise, knowledge and a continuous search for new opportunities together with our values; PASSION – CONFIDENCE – IMPACT – IMAGINE

Brian Kimberley Vice President, Licensing and Global Services W.R. Grace & Co.

Brian is Vice President, Licensing and Global Services, within the Specialty Catalysts business unit of W. R. Grace & Co. In this role he is responsible for the UNIPOL® PP licensing and services business.  Prior to this role Brian served as Commercial Director for Specialty Catalysts and was responsible for the catalyst business across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Brian has more than 25 years’ experience within the petrochemical industry working for BP then INEOS prior to joining Grace in 2015.  Brian has broad experience across a variety of leadership roles in R&D, catalyst manufacturing, technology licensing, global sales, technical service, business development and management. Brian graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Warwick and holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Imperial College, London.  After working in several European locations Brian recently moved and is now based in Grace’s headquarters in Maryland, USA. He has filled more than 50 patents and has published over 15 scientific articles.

Michael Lacey Product Manager, Sustainable Products Tricon Energy

Mike Lacey was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he met his wife and fellow chemist. Following graduate school, Mike joined ExxonMobil where he worked for 20 years in a variety of technical and commercial roles living in the U.S., Brazil, and Singapore. In January 2022, he joined Tricon Energy in Houston to launch its new Sustainable Products business line as Product Manager. Away from work, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and 4 kids.

Kaushik Mitra Executive Director, Europe Plastics & Polymers Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Kaushik Mitra is the Executive Director of Polyolefin for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Chemical Market Analytics. Kaushik Mitra is the Executive Director of Polyolefin for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He steers the Polyolefin Insight and Research practice for Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS, A Dow Jones Company. Kaushik is a key resource within the business for understanding and insight into the olefins sector of the petrochemical industry. He was pivotal in conceptualizing, developing and executing the Chemical Market Analytics’ Circular Plastics studies. Within the EMEA region, Kaushik works closely with the value chain comprising Polymer producers, Brand owners, Converters, Distributors, & Resellers, providing support and guidance throughout the Polyolefins value chain. Kaushik’s current area of focus includes the European Plastics & Polymers Report, providing critical IP for EMEA and input and insight for the World Polyethylene Analyses. Kaushik gained diverse career experience working at top Global companies, steering business management, market development, market intelligence and strategy functions in leadership roles. His interests are in pricing, strategy and market intelligence. He joined Chemical Market Analytics in 2016 with over 26 years of experience in petrochemicals. Previously, with petrochemicals giant SABIC, Kaushik led the global business strategy team for the polymers business, shaping long-term ambitions regarding growth, business improvement, innovation and pricing. Kaushik was instrumental in designing and executing growth and differentiation strategies and played a key role in M&A and benchmarking. Kaushik holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology and an MBA in marketing from the Indian Institute of Management.  

Carlos Monreal Chairman Chemical Recycling Europe (CRE)

Carlos Monreal is an engineer by training and has been a serial entrepreneur for more than 35 years, focusing on developing disruptive technologies and innovative solutions in the sustainability sector for the last 20 years. He has founded a wide range of companies within five different verticals including precision agriculture, GIS and EPC of renewable energy.

He is the Founder and Chairman of Plastic Energy, one of the world’s leading chemical recycling companies, with industrial plants in operation for over 10 cumulative years... Carlos is a board member at Green Dot Global, a company focused on recycling and sustainability of packaging. He is also the founder and CEO of Greenland Capital, a company which aims to identify and develop new technologies that provide sustainable and economical solutions to the growing challenges of waste and water management, alternative energy management and CO2 sequestration.

Tony Nawar Vice President Sustainability, Innovation & Strategy Berry Global, Inc.

Tony Nawar’s current responsibilities span sustainability, innovation (R&D) and recycling at Berry BPI’s flexible packaging division in Europe and the UK. Priory to Berry, Tony spent part of his career in technical textiles and specialty chemicals in a variety of business management roles in Europe and the United States. He holds an MBA from Vlerick in Belgium and a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Fabio Peyer Head of Sustainability Mondi Flexible Packaging

Fabio’s career in packaging started in 2008 with Alcan Packaging and subsequently Amcor. Over the years, Fabio held sustainability roles with increasing responsibility and scope, and played a key role in embedding packaging sustainability and design for recycling in Amcor’s growth strategy. Today, he is the Head of Sustainability at Mondi Flexible Packaging, based in Vienna Austria. In this role, Fabio oversees the product sustainability and circularity strategy for Mondi Flexible Packaging business, which houses Mondi’s plastic and paper converting business. Fabio holds a Master degree in Environmental Sciences from the Swiss Federal School of Technology.

Pavon Sarode Business Development Manager Lummus

Pavan Sarode is a seasoned Business Development Manager at Lummus Novolen Technology, Germany, bringing over 15 years of extensive experience in the petrochemical industry. His expertise spans across technology licensing, project development and polymer manufacturing. At Lummus, Pavan has successfully licensed and promoted Polyolefin technology globally, showcasing his expertise in strategic planning, finding strategic and reliable solutions for customers taking customer centric approach. Previously, Pavan worked at ExxonMobil, driving operations improvements and new product development. He also served as Sales Manager for South Asia at W.R. Grace Chemical Company, managing key accounts and developing new business segments. Pavan professional journey began at Reliance Industries Ltd., India where he made significant contributions to process optimization, cost reduction. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering. Pavan’s global perspective and dedication to innovation, positions him as a leading figure in the petrochemical industry.

Krisztina Szukup Product and Asset Portfolio Manager MOL Group

Krisztina graduated as polymer engineer and she joined MOL GROUP in 2007 within a GROWWW program for freshly graduated juniors. She has more than 12 years’ experience in the petrochemicals business especially in polymer production and polymer processing in engineer and leader positions. Besides the petrochemical business, Krisztina spent 4 years in the automotive industry at TIER 1 supplier and OEM in different quality management related positions. In February 2023 she joined the Circular Chemicals team within MOL to build up the recycling and compounding related product portfolio and assets. I’m glad to be part of the team creating the circularity of the polyolefins within MOL GROUP.

Nick Vafiadis Vice President, Global Plastics & Polymers Team Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Nick Vafiadis is the Vice President of the Plastics & Polymers business at Chemical Market Analytics. 34 years, including critical roles in sales, sales management, product management, and business line management in the plastics, surfactants, and consulting industries. Nick is a 30+ year chemical and plastics industry veteran and manages Chemical Market Analytics' global plastics practice. Nick’s daily responsibilities include analysis, consulting, and reporting on the global polyolefins market and managing global operations associated with producing and developing various plastics reports. Concurrently, he contributes to single-client projects and studies related to the polyolefins industry. In his earlier assignments, he was responsible for consulting duties associated with the Chlor-alkali and vinyl product chain. He has contributed to the Monomers Market Report, the Chlor-Alkali Market Report, and the Global Plastics & Polymers Market Report. He has been with Chemical Market Analytics and its predecessor companies since 2002. Before 2002, he spent twelve years with Vista Chemical Company, where he held assignments in marketing, product management, and sales management in the vinyl and surfactant business areas. Mr. Vafiadis holds a Management BBA from The University of Texas at Austin, United States.

Timo Vehrs Head of Circular Economy Business Development Team OMV AG

Timo Vehrs is heading the Circular Economy Business Development Team in OMV AG with the aim to accelerate OMV’s transition into a leading sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials company. Timo joined OMV in 2017 heading the Downstream Corporate Strategy Team and has ever since been closely involved in strategic growth projects as well as business development initiatives. Prior to OMV, Timo held different leadership roles in the oil and gas industry. Timo has a university degree in business administration from Nordakademie in Germany and more than 20 years of experience in oil, gas, energy and chemicals across the value chain. Timo has recently embarked on the exciting journey to establish a sizeable and commercially attractive business model in the circularity space for OMV’s Chemicals & Materials division with a special focus on chemical recycling.

Mark Vester CEO GreenDot (DerGrünePunkt)

Mark Vester has more than 33 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, working for DSM and SABIC. He has held different managerial and leadership positions in research, manufacturing, licensing and business. After leading the polyethylene business in Europe, he has initiated and build SABIC’s global circular economy business around its pioneering TRUCIRCLE program. He also has been a chairman of PCEP. In 2022 Mark joined GreenDot and leading GreenDot’s business in Germany.

Martin Wiesweg Executive Director, EMEA Polymers Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Mr. Wiesweg is the Executive Director of Polymers for EMEA Plastics at Chemical Market Analytics Martin Wiesweg is the executive director of the polymers team in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Chemical Market Analytics. His primary responsibilities focus on polystyrene, expandable polystyrene (EPS) and PET resin. With over 30 years of experience, Martin is a key resource within the business for understanding and insights into the polymer sector of the petrochemical industry. He works closely with the European plastics industry in the EMEA region, from producers to converters and brand owners, bringing insights and guidance throughout the polymer chains. His current area of focus includes oversight of the ‘European Plastics and Polymers Report, contributing to various reports, e.g., Global Plastics and Polymers Report, Global PET Stream Report and European Aromatics Monomer Report. as well as primary input and insight for the World Polystyrene, EPS and PET resin analyses. He is also an expert on plastics sustainability, supporting Chemical Market Analytics’s circular plastics service. Before Chemical Market Analytics, Martin spent over 20 years in the petrochemical industry. Within Huels AG, BP Chemical and Ineos Nova, he has had many responsibilities in technical and commercial departments, including technical service, marketing, sales and head of commercial management for speciality polymers. Mr. Wiesweg holds a master's degree in Physics from the University of Paderborn, Germany.      
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