TANKS & LOGISTICS 07
REIMAGINE THAT
THE PAUSE IN ACTIVITY necessitated by Covid-related lockdowns and restrictions has provided time for reflection. But there is plenty of work to be done, especially if the European petrochemical industry is to be in the right place to play its part in the coming energy transition and the move towards a more sustainable, decarbonised future. That means getting everyone together to discuss the way forward – something that remains difficult. Introducing this year’s Annual Meeting
“It has never been so critical to connect our community throughout the supply chain,” Ciuciu added. “The sustainable transition requires innovation and bold leadership. The time to act is now!” Clarifying that comment, Ciuciu added that we are no longer asking why we need a more sustainable future – but how we are going to get there. To facilitate that conversation, the EPCA team had redesigned the business sessions that have been a long-standing feature of the
keen to widen the audience, as it sees all parts of its member companies as having roles relevant to the transition, not just the business-facing departments. All attendees – of which there were around 800 at the start of proceedings – were challenged to reimagine the future and think about what they would each have to do to bring that vision to fruition. That is a very different challenge to that which normally faces delegates to the Annual Meeting. As EPCA president Hartwig Michels, president of petrochemicals at BASF, said in his opening speech: “Normally we would be talking about the challenging year in 2020 and what we can learn from it, the coming economic conditions and supply chain challenges. But,” he went on, referring to the meeting’s theme of ‘Future Reimagined’, “it is clear to all that industry has to reinvent itself for the sustainable transformation.” Michels was pleased to see that the
of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA), perforce once more held in a virtual fashion in the first week of October, CEO Caroline Ciuciu stressed the need to reconnect after the pause: “It’s time to start the conversation!”
Annual Meeting, drawing in speakers from a wider community, especially from areas downstream of the petrochemical industry itself, as well as from the regulatory authorities – which in particular generated some sparky debate. EPCA had also been
petrochemical industry in Europe is taking a ‘can do’ approach to the transition, reducing its carbon footprint and moving towards a circular economy, while still remaining competitive in the global market. But the transition will be expensive, which points
CONFERENCE REPORT • EPCA’S 55TH ANNUAL MEETING FEATURED A SURPRISING LEVEL OF AGREEMENT ON HOW THE INDUSTRY AND ITS SUPPLY CHAINS CAN MEET ENVIRONMENTAL TARGETS
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