Skip to main content

BIR Bangkok 2025 is fast approaching! Programme announcement for Plastics Division: Closing the gap – Policy, innovation and market resilience

Plastics Division

Closing the gap – Policy, innovation and market resilience

 

The global plastics recycling industry stands at a critical crossroads. As virgin polymer prices hit multi-year lows and the price gap with recyclates widens, recycling facilities across Europe are being forced to idle or close – with up to 1 million tonnes of annual capacity expected to disappear by the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, sluggish demand, weak order books and slow economic growth continue to weigh on recyclers. Yet there are signs of hope: national initiatives such as France’s upcoming recycled content decree and renewed international focus on the UN Plastics Treaty demonstrate how targeted policy action can still drive progress.

Against this complex backdrop, the upcoming Plastics Division plenary session at the BIR World Recycling Convention & Exhibition in Bangkok will provide much-needed insight and direction for recyclers worldwide.

The session will open with a market overview by Plastics Division President Henk Alssema (INVIPLAST, NLD), addressing the economic, policy and structural shifts shaping global plastics recycling.

Patcharin Thamasirianunt, Union J. Limited (UJP, THA)

With a background in Polymer Science and Technology, as well as more than 10 years working for Union J. Limited, a company specialised in producing recycled plastic pellets, Patcharin’s presentation will share insights from the Thai market, exploring how local producers are advancing the quality and circularity of post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins.

 

Max Craipeau, Greencore Resources Ltd (Hong Kong SAR, CHN)

 

With more than 20 years of experience working in the plastics industry throughout Asia, focusing on producing polycarbonate and food-grade rPET, Max will provide a regional perspective on Asia’s plastics recycling outlook, assessing challenges and opportunities for growth.

 

Bianca Mannini, BIR Trade & Environment Policy Officer

Having just represented BIR and its members at the United Nation’s INC 5.2 meeting, Bianca, who is providing support to the BIR Plastics Division, will deliver the latest updates from the UN Plastics Treaty negotiations held in Geneva this August and what the outcomes could mean for recyclers worldwide.

 

 

The presentations will be followed by an interactive panel discussion moderated by Henk Alssema, featuring the speakers and Olivier François (Chairman of the BIR International Environment Council) as guest panelist.

 

Join us in Bangkok onMonday 27, October from 13:30-14:30 for a timely, forward-looking session bringing together global expertise on how recyclers can stay competitive, strengthen circularity and prepare for the next wave of regulation and innovation in plastics recycling.

Useful links:

Get in touch with our team to increase your company's visibility, book an exhibition booth, or reserve a private meeting room.