Covestro CEO Markus Steilemann is the new President of PlasticsEurope, the Brussels-based association of plastics manufacturers in Europe.
Steilemann was elected on Wednesday for a term of three years. He succeeds Javier Constante of Dow Chemical, who oversaw a fundamental reorganisation of the association.
It is not the first time a Covestro CEO has led the organization: Steilemann’s predecessor, Patrick Thomas, served two terms as president of PlasticsEurope, from 2011 to 2017.
Steilemann wants to focus the work of the association even more on driving sustainability and in particular the circular economy.
“Given the many global challenges, plastics are vital to create a truly sustainable future and to make the circular economy the new guiding principle,” said Steilemann. “In this context, it is important to use end-of-life materials and waste as a resource for new products. Under no circumstances should they continue to enter the environment uncontrolled. In addition, plastics as particularly sustainable material must be used in as many areas as possible. This is how our industry can and will help Europe move towards sustainability.”
Steilemann was also recently elected vice-president of the German Association of Chemical Industries (VCI). He is also a member of the board of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and Chairman of SusChem, the European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry. PlasticsEurope numbers around hundred member companies that produce more than 90% of polymers in the 27 EU member states, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and UK.