APEAL appoints new president
The Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging (APEAL) has selected a new president.
Viliam Gašpar, director of customer technical service at U.S. Steel Košice (Slovakia), was elected unanimously by the board and general assembly of APEAL and succeeds Tony Waite of Tata Steel Europe. He holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh alongside a Ph.D. and a Master’s Degree in Metallurgy of Metals from the Technical University of Košice.
Gašpar’s role as president commenced on 1 January and is in line with the biennial rotating presidency of APEAL.
“Under Tony Waite’s strong leadership, APEAL extended its membership to unite all five producers of steel for packaging in Europe,” said Gašpar.
“At the same time, the association was able to grow understanding of the value of multiple recycling for true circularity, contributing actively to secondary Circular Economy Package legislation regarding the reporting and calculation of real recycling rates, all the while reaching the record recycling rate of 82.5% in Europe three years ahead of schedule.
“This constitutes a clear message to all stakeholders that steel for packaging is a tried, tested, and sustainable solution ideally suited to a 21st-century circular economy.
“There remain many challenges ahead, however. The European Commission has demonstrated global leadership with its European Green Deal. Under my presidency, APEAL will strive to demonstrate how steel for packaging has a real role to play in achieving the ultimate aims of the Green Deal, most notably with the sustainable products and circular design policies of the Circular Economy Action Plan.
“Our focus will be on closing the loop of steel recycling even further through the promotion of separate collection among other actions, but also on showing how steel packaging can improve resource efficiency in Europe by helping to save food and reduce waste.
“I now look forward to building on the achievements of Tony and the APEAL team, working with my colleagues, the European Commission, European Parliament, member states and all stakeholders to deliver this ambitious plan.”
Viliam Gašpar, director of customer technical service at U.S. Steel Košice (Slovakia), was elected unanimously by the board and general assembly of APEAL and succeeds Tony Waite of Tata Steel Europe. He holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh alongside a Ph.D. and a Master’s Degree in Metallurgy of Metals from the Technical University of Košice.
Gašpar’s role as president commenced on 1 January and is in line with the biennial rotating presidency of APEAL.
“Under Tony Waite’s strong leadership, APEAL extended its membership to unite all five producers of steel for packaging in Europe,” said Gašpar.
“At the same time, the association was able to grow understanding of the value of multiple recycling for true circularity, contributing actively to secondary Circular Economy Package legislation regarding the reporting and calculation of real recycling rates, all the while reaching the record recycling rate of 82.5% in Europe three years ahead of schedule.
“This constitutes a clear message to all stakeholders that steel for packaging is a tried, tested, and sustainable solution ideally suited to a 21st-century circular economy.
“There remain many challenges ahead, however. The European Commission has demonstrated global leadership with its European Green Deal. Under my presidency, APEAL will strive to demonstrate how steel for packaging has a real role to play in achieving the ultimate aims of the Green Deal, most notably with the sustainable products and circular design policies of the Circular Economy Action Plan.
“Our focus will be on closing the loop of steel recycling even further through the promotion of separate collection among other actions, but also on showing how steel packaging can improve resource efficiency in Europe by helping to save food and reduce waste.
“I now look forward to building on the achievements of Tony and the APEAL team, working with my colleagues, the European Commission, European Parliament, member states and all stakeholders to deliver this ambitious plan.”
