The awards which are bi-annual have been running since 2009. The awards, which are designed to showcase the Innovation and Sustainability in recycled plastic products, will be awarded at the 2019 IdentiPlast Conference dinner at 8 Northumberland Avenue on the evening of 7th March 2019. The winning entries will be presented their trophies (made from recycled plastic yoghurt pots) by PlasticsEurope president, Javier Constante from DOW.
All the short-listed entries will be displayed at the IdentiPlast Conference and an online voting system is live to enable voting by industry peers and Conference delegates.

The 2019 finalists are:

Sustainability award
•    Mappy Italia SpA - THERMO-ACOUSTIC COMPOSITE SYSTEM WITH LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FOR LIVING QUALITY
•    Orkla Home & Personal Care - Jordan Green Clean
•    Ecoplen Srl- Technical and Ecological Bottle and Jerry Cans
•    Multiport GmbH - MPO Kunststoffkabelkanal (MPO Plastic Cable Duct) size I and II
•   RPC M&H Plastics - Garçon Wines’ rPET Flat Profile Wine Bottle

Innovation award
•    BARBIER - LOW FUSION FILM with 20% of PCR
•    RPC bpi protec - X-EnviroShrink made with Sustane
•    Alpla Werke, Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG - The Simple one
•    G2B srl - “Polyethylene-derivative” silk from Galleria Mellonella cocoons

The EPRO judges remarked that it had been an extremely difficult task selecting 9 finalists, commenting that the entries all clearly demonstrated a commitment to pushing the boundaries of the recycled plastic applications.

Peter Sundt, EPRO General Secretary said of the awards, "The EPRO best recycled plastic product awards is a key activity from our side with the aim to increase the use of recycled material from used plastic packaging and thus lead us closer to a circular society for plastics. At the same time we intend to honour the teams and organisations behind the projects as well as promoting all the products taking part and hope that these examples can stimulate others to do the same in order to keep the plastics in the loop rather than dispose it after first use. We then both reduce the use of resources and the environmental impact from the plastic products. In total we received 47 entries from 11 countries. These products that represent huge amounts of recycled plastics that can serve as ambassadors for a cicular economy. EPRO thanks all the participants for taking part and wish them good luck with their products in the market."

In collaborating with EPRO to host the awards, PlasticsEurope Director of the North Region Kim Christiansen commenting on the award said:

“We are thrilled to endorse the 8th EPRO Awards Ceremony and provide a platform for this great initiative that rewards EU companies for their breakthrough innovations in recycled plastics. Only together can we find solutions to the societal challenges of today and enable the new plastics economy. We are looking forward to welcoming onstage innovative companies that are looking to change our tomorrow for the better.”

Stuart Foster, CEO of RECOUP, (who are the UK EPRO members) said, “there remains a need to continue stimulation of recycling levels and the demand and appetite for the design and manufacture of such products. It is only through market forces drive for recyclate that the industry can ensure its future success. These awards further highlight that plastic is a circular resource – something that is critical to our planet’s survival.”

Here you find information about the IdentiPlast Conference and dinner.

Each EPRO member is working to meet and exceed requirements set by EU and national packaging directives, and committed to:

• exchange and publish information and experiences
• develop improved strategies for prevention, recycling and recovery of plastics packaging waste with regard to the EU thematic strategy on waste and recycling
• support technological projects designed to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of plastics recycling and recovery throughout Europe
• evaluate new technologies and to stimulate improved quality and value of used plastics on a scientific basis.

There are 21 EPRO member organisations including 18 European countries plus South Africa and Canada.

RECOUP
RECycling of Used Plastics Limited (RECOUP) is a charity and leading authority providing expertise and guidance across the plastics recycling value chain. Built on a network of valued members, collaboration is central to our activities, and we are committed to securing sustainable, circular and practical solutions for plastic resources both in the UK and world-wide.

More information:
Anne Hitch
Phone.: +44 1733 390021
anne.hitch(at)recoup.org