pro-K Industry Dialogue: between climate protection and competitive pressure

Panel discussion with industry representatives and moderator Christian Preiser

The meeting in Frankfurt focused on Germany as an industrial hub, the transformation of the plastics industry and the next generation of skilled workers.


At this year’s industry dialogue organised by the pro-K Industrieverband langlebige Kunststoffprodukte und Mehrwegsysteme (Industry Association for Durable Plastic Products and Reusable Systems), representatives from industry, associations and the media discussed the future of Germany as an industrial hub and the challenges of industrial transformation, the association reports. According to the association, FAZ business editor and non-fiction author Philipp Krohn delivered a keynote speech addressing the tensions between ambitious EU climate and sustainability targets, high energy prices and increasing international competitive pressure. Dr Christine Bunte (Plastics Europe Deutschland), Dr Oliver Möllenstädt (GKV Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie, German Plastics Processing Industry Association), Tom Ohlendorf (WWF Deutschland) and Philipp Krohn examined key issues relating to industrial and climate policy in the subsequent panel discussion. The session was moderated by KI editor-in-chief Christian Preiser. There was agreement that climate and environmental protection in Europe was an absolute necessity, but that the necessary EU regulations would have to be developed in collaboration with industry. To enable practical and economically viable solutions, companies must be involved in regulatory processes at European level at an early stage. It also became clear that the plastics industry is ready and already on the way to making its contribution to climate neutrality and the circular economy. However, reliable political framework conditions that promote and encourage innovation, as well as greater investment in the industry’s transformation, are prerequisites.
 
Following the industry dialogue, this year’s winners of the 26th Günter Schwank Prize were honoured. The prize commemorates Günter Schwank, the long-serving president of the GKV, and recognises the plastics processing industry’s commitment to supporting skilled workers and the next generation of professionals. With this prize, the German Plastics Processing Industry Association (GKV) and its five member associations honour the ten best graduates of the plastics and rubber technology apprenticeship programme in Germany each year. This year’s winners were Max Baumtrog and Arne Hilge (both from Pöppelmann), Tobias Cifersons (Polyvantis), Christopher Daldrup (Georg Utz), Nils Götzel (Fränkische Rohrwerke), Matthew Hander (BWF Kunststoffe), Monique Horn (Resrg Automotive), Nicole Makowe (Alpla), Benedikt Saatze (DLR) and Noel Woitek (Geberit).
 
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