On this occasion, PlasticsEurope unveiled its action plan, together with the plastics value chain, for the development of a European zero pellet loss certification scheme by 2022. It will set common requirements based on the six pillars of the OCS pledge that will be audited regularly by accredited third parties. The aim is to have all PlasticsEurope member companies externally audited by 2025.
“This approach will enable the plastics industry to transparently demonstrate its efforts to implement concrete measures towards zero pellet loss into the environment”, explained Dr Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro and President of PlasticsEurope. “This is an open invitation to the plastics value chain to join us”.
Pellets, powders and flakes are different types of raw materials transformed into plastic products. Whilst high environmental, safety and quality management controls are applied throughout the plastics industry, unintentional loss of pellets can occur at different stages along the value chain. The OCS programme provides recommendations to companies on how to achieve zero pellet loss and is an essential part of PlasticsEurope’s 2030 Voluntary Commitment.
The plastics value chain’s support for OCS continued to grow in 2019 when close to 700 companies joined the programme, amongst which three additional major European ports, handling plastic pellets – Cartagena, Tarragona (ES) and Felixstowe (UK). Moreover, PlasticsEurope reached an important milestone by extending the OCS membership to 100% of its members to which the pledge is applicable.
“I am proud that PlasticsEurope became the first trade association in the world that made OCS compulsory for its members”, said Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of PlasticsEurope. “The global issue of pellet loss can only be solved by taking joint action, together with the full plastics value chain”, Virginia Janssens added.
