Karin Arz is the new managing director of Industrieverband Kunststoffbahnen Europe (IVK Europe, Frankfurt / Germany; www.ivk-europe.com). IVK Europe is the industry association representing the interests of companies producing plastics and caoutchouc sheets. At the beginning of April, Arz succeeded Sabine Dröge, who is moving into another line of business.

Since 2014, Arz was managing the European Single ply Waterproofing Association (ESWA, Brussels / Belgium; www.eswa.be). Both IVK Europe and ESWA are members of European Plastics Converters (EuPC, Brussels; www.plasticsconverters.eu). Arz will be the contact person at IVK Europe for the construction, packaging and automotive sectors.

From her point of view, public awareness in Europe has to be raised regarding the importance and contribution of plastics to environmental protection. According to IVK Europe, recycling and voluntary commitments of the industry are also on her agenda, and she wants to intensify public relations.