The 7th Packaging Recycling Conference in Berlin focussed on the central role of the recycling industry in achieving environmental goals and competitiveness. Experts from politics, business and science discussed innovations and regulatory challenges.
On 13 December 2024, the 7th Packaging Recycling Conference took place in Berlin under the patronage of the Federal Ministry for the Environment. More than 150 experts from industry, science and politics came together to discuss the further development of the circular economy. Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke honoured the event in a video message and highlighted the Importance of high-quality recyclates for the realisation of the EU Packaging Regulation from 2030 onwards.
In her keynote speech, Gitta Connemann, Chairwoman of the SME and Economic Union, emphasised the importance of Reliable framework conditions for SMEs. She called for less bureaucracy and faster authorisation procedures to make it easier for companies to invest in circular solutions. This was also emphasised by Eric Rehbock, Managing Director of the bvse, who criticised the increasing density of regulation as an obstacle for the recycling industry.
The conference presented numerous innovations and impulses from the field. Jonathan Weber from SHS - Stahl-Holding-Saar emphasised the importance of hydrogen for sustainable steel production, while Jörg Kriescher from Steinert Unisort presented the latest technologies for sorting black plastics. Dr Richard von Goetze from Interzero Plastics Recycling gave Insights into advances in chemical recycling.
Matthias Fabian from the Federal Environment Agency explained the further development of the Packaging Act and emphasised the Need for incentives for recyclable packaging. Stefan Lotter from Bell Germany showed how monomaterials can reduce the resources required for packaging.
In conclusion, the organisers called for decisive action. They called for market-oriented regulations and greater promotion of markets for secondary raw materials. The conference emphasised the need for close cooperation between politics, business and science in order to accelerate the transformation towards a sustainable circular economy.
Source: BDE
