Photo credit: Plastics Europe
CPChem VP of Sustainability Benny Mermans, the newly elected president of Plastics Europe, and Virginia Janssens, managing director of Plastics Europe
CPChem’s Benny Mermans will continue Plastics Europe’s vision, being a catalyst for industry competitiveness, driving solutions and innovation in circularity and decarbonization in his new role as president of the trade association, he says.
Mermans, vice president of sustainability at Chevron Phillips Chemical, based in The Woodlands, Texas, assumed the role of president for Plastics Europe in June, succeeding Marco ten Bruggencate.
Plastics Europe is the pan-European trade association representing plastics manufacturers. It plays a key role in shaping the future of the industry by promoting sustainability, innovation and the responsible production and use of plastics.
“I am honored to be stepping into this role at such an important juncture for our industry,” Mermans said.
Driving a competitive, sustainable plastics industry in Europe
Mermans emphasized his commitment to advancing Plastics Europe’s ambitious sustainability agenda, aligned with the European Union’s Clean Industrial Deal.
This initiative outlines a roadmap to decarbonization as a driver of growth for European industries, aiming to lower energy costs, create jobs, improve economic conditions and boost competition.
The deal also promotes a circular economy to reduce plastic waste and encourage recycling and sustainable production.
Facing challenges with resilience
“We are under no illusions about the scale and complexity of the transformation ahead, and we recognize the essential role the industry plays in lowering emissions, reducing waste and advancing circularity,” Mermans said at a recent European Plastics Converters event.
He warned that Europe faces a potential “lose-lose scenario” due to economic pressures there, one that could be prevented if industry, including plastics manufacturers, take “urgent action.”
These actions include:
- Driving life-cycle emissions toward net zero;
- Making plastics circular; and
- Fostering the sustainable use of plastics.
“Especially during a time of economic pressures on our members, achieving our ambitions will require bold decisions and a strong focus on actions over words,” Mermans said. “I look forward to collaborating more closely with all stakeholders to realize a more sustainable, competitive and circular plastics economy in Europe.”
Continuing Plastics Europe’s ambitious agenda
Mermans also paid tribute to his predecessor, Marco ten Bruggencate, for his leadership during a challenging period for the industry.
Ten Bruggencate spearheaded the development and launch of The Plastics Transition – Plastics Europe’s roadmap to make 65% of plastics in Europe circular and climate-neutral by 2050.
This landmark initiative marked the first time the industry has united behind such a bold but realistic strategy to reinvent the European plastics system.
Carrying The Plastics Transition roadmap forward
Virginia Janssens, managing director of Plastics Europe, expressed gratitude for ten Bruggencate’s leadership and voiced confidence in Mermans’ ability to carry the roadmap forward.
“Driving change and progress takes energy, courage, imagination, collaboration, and the right mindset – every single day, especially nowadays when the going gets really tough. That is why our members are determined that Plastics Europe remain a leading catalyst in the transformation of the European plastics system,” she said.
Mermans, who has previously held positions at ExxonMobil and Imperial Chemical Industries, has worked for Chevron Phillips Chemical for the past 35 years in a variety of leadership roles. Active in several industry associations, Mermans serves as chairman of the World Plastics Council. He holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from CTL in Ghent, Belgium.
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