APEAL (the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging) has announced the appointment of Steve Claus as its new Secretary General, effective today (4 December).
Mr Claus brings over 20 years of expertise in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), as well as a wealth of experience in the collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging waste, according to APEAL.
Having initially joined APEAL in 2018 as Sustainability Manager, Steve has played a crucial role in various technical projects for packaging steel, it continued.
His responsibilities have spanned areas such as recyclability, recycling rates, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), the organisation went on to say.
He has recently been actively engaged with policymakers to underscore the pivotal role of permanent materials such as steel in a more circular economy, during ongoing discussions on Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), added APEAL.
“During his five years at APEAL Steve has demonstrated leadership, expertise, and a passion for circular thinking. We are thrilled that he will be leading APEAL during this time of great innovation, both in packaging sustainability with PPWR, but also in the steel industry with the transition to greener steel,” said APEAL president Luc Brantjes.
Steve replaces Alexis Van Maercke who served in the position for seven years and has now chosen to explore new opportunities in a different industry.
“I’m looking forward building upon the industry’s already strong sustainability credentials and demonstrate the invaluable role that steel for packaging will play in shaping a more circular future,” said Mr Claus.
He previously held diverse positions at Fost Plus, the Belgian EPR scheme for household packaging in Belgium, worked for EXPRA, an EPR Alliance, and provided guidance in and outside the EU to both industry and authorities in establishing innovative and sustainable circular models based on EPR.
He holds a master’s degree in applied economics from the University of Antwerp.
APEAL concluded that it looks forward to the continued success and growth under his leadership.
APEAL appoints Steve Claus as secretary general
