Bringing together leading experts, decision-makers, and innovative companies from Turkey and the international plastic recycling industry, the Plastic Recycling Conference, held within the scope of RePlast Eurasia Fair, attracted great interest from the sector. The conference offered industry professionals opportunities to gain up-to-date knowledge, share experiences, and establish new collaborations. Thus, it not only served as a platform for knowledge exchange but also became a key meeting point that opened the doors to new partnerships in the sector through business meetings and networking events held alongside the fair.

The program featured four panels, each focusing on a different aspect of the plastic recycling industry.

PANEL I:  Overview of the Plastic Recycling Sector: Regulations, Technology and Price Trends, Environmental Factors and Best Practices in Plastic Recycling

Moderator: Ali Kantur (President of the TOBB Waste and Recycling Industry Council)

• Antonello Ciotti (President of PETCORE Europe)

• Sory Camara (President of the Guinean Waste Managers Federation)

• Bernard Merkx (Managing Director of EuPC - European Plastics Converters)

• Vernigorov Konstantin (General Director of SIBUR International SIBUR R&D Center "Polilab)

• Alexandre Dangis (Vice President of Corporate Relations at GREENDOT)

• Yağmur Eroğlu (General Manager of CERTILOOP)

• Andrea Carraro (Sales and Product Manager of Recycling and Upcycling at BANDERA)

• Daniel Perosi (Chemicals Editor for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at S&P Global)

In this session, a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the industry was conducted. The panel provided attendees with up-to-date information on regulatory processes, technological innovations, and price trends.

II. Panel: Environmental Factors and Best Practices in Plastic Recycling

Moderator: Hamdi Yazır (Chair of the PAGEV Congress Committee)

• Atahan Özgünay (Senior Packaging & Process Development Manager at UNILEVER Algida)

• Erdem Baltalı (Sustainability and Supplier Director at COCA COLA)

• Tuba Gökcan (Group Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Director at Anadolu Efes)

• Levent Uçar (Procurement Business Partner at NESTLE Türkiye)

In the panel, successful examples of practices aimed at reducing environmental impacts in recycling were discussed. Projects implemented in line with sustainability goals provided a guiding perspective for the industry.

III. Panel: Application of Recycled Plastic in the Automotive Sector and Exploring Potential Supply Opportunities

Moderator: Özlem Güçlüer (Vice President of the TOBB Automotive Council)

• Faruk Silahtaroğlu (Plastics Material Türkiye Strategy Lead at OYAK RENAULT)

• Ayşemin Top Gül (Technical Lead for Sustainable Material Applications at FORD OTOSAN)

• Tuğba Okay (Senior Technical Specialist at TOFAŞ)

• Gökhan Dursun (ART RECYCLE CEO)

• Refik Diri (General Manager of Karel Kalıp)

In this session, the growing demand for recycled plastics in the automotive industry and the emerging opportunities in the supply chain were discussed. The panel provided an important platform for knowledge sharing for both manufacturers and suppliers.