In our next speaker interview series, we have Joachim Quoden, Managing Director of EXPRA. He will be speaking at the Plastic Recycling World Expo.

EXPRA is joining 31 EPR systems for packaging from all over the world, all non-profit. They act as the joint voice of all these systems versus external stakeholders, and facilitate and enable cooperation and exchange of experience and best practices.

What do you think sets your company apart from your competitors?

With an experience of over 30 years in EPR, we have the biggest network and knowledge base in packaging and packaging waste management as well as in EPR for packaging in the world.

Packaging and packaging waste management is a very dynamic sector, incorporating more or less the whole business sector but also the public sector and our members. Therefore, we are always striving to improve the service for our members, the packaging value chain and our clients. 

What are the biggest challenges facing the industry today, and how can this be overcome?

The speed with which new legislation is being introduced, often with unclear and incomplete details, is an issue. In addition, there are inconsistencies across the European Union, with some countries strongly leading the developments while many others are still concentrating on the basics. We believe that more interest and support is needed, especially from those countries that are lagging behind

How do you see the sector developing in the next five to ten years?

We will see a strong evolution on one side in the recyclability of packaging, leading to the disappearance of many kinds of packaging. While at the same time the technology for sorting and recycling will improve dramatically as well, making more packaging recyclable.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s show? 

To learn more about the latest developments and to have a chance to network with as many people from the packaging value chain as possible, as only together we can face the challenges and turn them to opportunities!

Make sure to catch Joachim Quoden at the Plastic Recycling World Expo theatre.