ORGANISERS of the fifth Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) exhibition and conference have revealed that this year’s expanded event attracted a new record attendance.
More than 3,500 visitors made their way to the in-person event in Amsterdam, while nearly 900 others attended virtually. They got to interact with more than 180 exhibiting firms.
The conference commenced with a virtual presentation by Virginijus Sinkevičius, commissioner for the environment, oceans and fisheries at the European Commission. Over two days, the latest developments in plastics recycling technology and applications were showcased and future challenges were explored.
“PRSE has been a fantastic opportunity to see new machines, learn about new trends and talk about business, so that all actors in the plastics recycling value chain can take the next steps towards a circular economy,” said Ton Emans, president of Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE). “The return to live events has clearly been very important to both our visitors and exhibitors, evidenced by the warmth with which PRSE has been received this year by the plastics recycling community.”
Matt Barber, PRSE event director at Crain Communications, added, “PRSE 2021 has proved by far our most successful show to date, attracting more visitors and exhibiting companies than ever before. We have had such positive feedback from our exhibitors, conference speakers, visitors and awards participants. Everyone was just so pleased to be able to meet face-to-face again in order to progress the plastics recycling agenda in Europe.”
PRSE brings together exhibitors, visitors and Plastics Recycling Awards Europe finalists representing the whole value chain of the plastics industry including recyclers, machine producers, raw material producers, converters, waste management companies, brand owners, retailers and investors.
Michael Heitzinger, MD of exhibitor EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH, said the event plays a more important role than ever. “PRSE is the showcase for plastic recycling,” he explained. “It shows the world that plastic recycling is real, and it is of value.”
Amber Augustus, product group manager at Greiner Packaging International, who showcased a design for recyclable coffee cups in the conference, commented, “To work towards the circular economy, the plastics industry has to do it together. I think an event like PRSE is perfect for that.”
The hybrid event this year allowed people unable to visit the event in person to view elements of the conference programme online including the welcome address, keynote speeches and sponsored presentations as well as the announcement of winners of the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe. Online visitors were also able to interact directly with exhibitors.
Sian Miles, sustainable resources, director at Berry BPI, urged people to attend PRSE in 2022. “There is so much going on, you can attend the conference sessions, meet all the plastics recyclers in Europe and find out about all the latest innovations. Every year there is something new to see.”
The Plastics Recycling Show Europe returns to the RAI Amsterdam on 22 and 23 June 2022.
