The Packaging division of European Plastic Converters (EuPC, Brussels / Belgium; www.eupc.org) – the industry association representing plastics processors across the continent – has launched three new taskforces. Each is headed by an expert from a leading national packaging association. At the same time, the division – which is led by chairman Bjørn Hoem – also appointed Padraig Nolan as its new manager. Nolan, who succeeds Ingrid Verschueren, will coordinate the three taskforces while simultaneously continuing his work as EuPC regulatory affairs manager.

Headed by Jürgen Bruder, the Sustainability & Vision Taskforce has been charged with developing the plastic packaging industry’s strategy and vision for the next decade – focusing on the protection of consumer goods, consumer protection and the circular economy. Bruder is the general manager of Germany's plastic packaging industry association Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen (IK, Bad Homburg; www.kunststoffverpackungen.de).

The Communications Taskforce will initiate actions and tools on how to best communicate plastic packaging, mostly in the shape of events due to take place next year under the Plastics for Packaging umbrella. It is headed by Françoise Gerardi, the managing director of the French association of flexible packaging producers Elipso (Paris; www.elipso.org).

The third taskforce, focused on policy coordination, will be led by EuPC with advisory support from Francisco Morcillo, the senior industrial issues executive at the British Plastics Federation (BPF, London / UK; www.bpf.co.uk). Its focus is on legislative initiatives set by EU institutions as well as regulatory issues at the EU level.