VinylPlus 2030, the new voluntary commitment of the European PVC industry for the next ten years, was launched in mid-June. Dr. Zdenek Hruska, Public Affairs Director at VinylPlus®, took the opportunity to present the key points of the new programme at the virtual general meeting of VinylPlus Deutschland e.V. on 01 July 2021.
The new sustainability programme builds on a 20-year record of progress and success for the European PVC industry. These include the continued development of PVC waste collection and recycling schemes across Europe, which have enabled the recycling of 6.5 million tonnes of PVC since 2000, the gradual replacement of critical additives, the reduction of energy consumption in production and the development of the VinylPlus® Product Label.
Proactive contribution of the PVC industry to sustainability
With the renewed Commitment, VinylPlus is proactively contributing to addressing global sustainability challenges and priorities. Three 'pathways' and 12 action areas have been identified, which reflect the circularity of the PVC value chain, its progress towards CO2-The company will continue to drive its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, minimise the environmental footprint of PVC production and products, and engage with stakeholders and global coalitions.
Looking ahead, VinylPlus reaffirms its strong commitment and dedication to recycle 900,000 tonnes of PVC per year by 2025 and one million tonnes of PVC per year by 2030, in line with the Circular Plastics Alliance targets. "The major transformative challenges on the way to a circular economy and climate neutrality, which the plastics industry as a whole and also our sector are facing, can best be mastered together along the entire PVC value chain," Dr Oliver Mieden, Chairman of the Board of VinylPlus Germany, emphasised to the member companies participating in the general meeting via screen, highlighting: "This is where the new VinylPlus 2030 programme absolutely points the way forward."
Re-election of the Executive Board ensures continuity
Also on the agenda of the General Assembly was the regular election of the new Executive Board. In the run-up to the meeting, the board had unanimously stood for re-election until 2024.
The old and new board of VinylPlus Germany is composed as follows: Dr Oliver Mieden (Vinnolit, Chairman), Mailin Bode (RENOLIT, Vice Chairman), Dr Dieter Polte (Vestolit, Vice Chairman), Uwe Dietsch (INOVYN, Treasurer), Jörg Frömming (Dekura), Volkmar Halbe (FEB), Roland Jahn (GEALAN), Roland Pietz (Evonik), Dr Ingo Sartorius (PlasticsEurope Germany) and Thomas Zenger (Baerlocher).
VinylPlus Germany Sustainability Forum 2021 in October
The VinylPlus Germany Sustainability Forum 2021, which was scheduled to take place together with the General Assembly, has been postponed to the beginning of October due to Corona. The event is aimed at VinylPlus Germany member companies as well as VinylPlus partners and stakeholders. "At the forum, participants will gain important insights into the new 10-year programme, its significance and the concrete challenges for the German PVC industry," says Thomas Hülsmann, Managing Director of VinylPlus Germany.