In the run up to the"K" trade fair in Dusseeldorf,excitement is in the plastics induatry.The topics of sustainable production and recycling are on everyone's lips and they are high up on the K trade fair agenda this year.PET planet spoke to Stefan Bock,CEO and founder of company ReduPET GmbH and an old hand in this field of blowing moulding and preform injection moulding.He shared his strategy for conscious production and discussed the future challenges for the PET sector.
Stefan Bock, CEO and founder of company ReduPET GmbH,was previously with Bekum,Krupp and SIG for ISBM Systems and Netstal.
The following is the conversation of the interview:
Q1:
PETplanet: You have worked in the plastics industry for over 30 years.Plastic has never before been so controversially discussed in society.What do you make of this discussion?Are there aspects that you think are being missed?
Stefan Bock: The current discussion is crucial to the survival of the plastics industry.Of course,we all know that we cannot contitue like this with a material that is so improtant to our living standards.This means that the pressure building up from the current discussions is a driver for rethinking the industry and becoming more innovative and responssible.First and foremost I think what is missing is legislator in more countries adopting sensible and well though out laws.For example ,as far as I know,plastic waste from Germany is exported by ship.Once the plastic is loaded onto ship,it is considered in Germany to be recycled,even if it is then disposed of improperly in Asia.
The consumers themselves must have a much greater awareness of plastic as a recyclable material and act accordingly,whether voluntarily or through incentives or legal enforcement.There is a clear need for global action here.
Q2:
PETplanet: In your opinion,what does this discussion hold in terms of effects on the plastics industry and the PET industry in particular?
Stefan Bock: Plastic is regarded more critically and so is receiving significantil more attention and is unfortunately getting a negative reputation. This pulls plastic products into the focus and calls them into question,which is surely a positive effect.Basically,awareness is been raised around the world ;it is just a shame that this is offen done in a sensational and therefore media-attracting way instead of it being constructively explained and handled. This is urgently needed-wake up calls are no longer enough.
Q3:
PETplanet: In your opinion,what are the greatest challenges for the plastics industry over the next ten years or so?
Stefan Bock:Plastic are generally better than their reputation.The main problem is that they are not always in the right place,or are used wastefully or not in the right composition.After fulfilling their task,they are seldom seen as recyclable, i.e. as an improtant resource.And this is precisely where the tasks of the plastics industry lie in the next ten years.But I am convinced that here too,global legislators have a great responsibility and task to tackle.Because the plastics industry,and primarily the packaging industry,lives on lo margins but on mass production,it is comparatively sluggish and inflexible in terms of changes to products or processes through innovation.As changes are almost always very cost intensive,there must be reconsideration to avoid the risks that are hindering the plastic industry.This is why new guiding principles and support measures applied by legislators to whole countries are so improtant.
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In short,for the next ten years , the challenges for the plastics industry are very varied,not only in our own back yard but globally.