ASEAN Circular Plastics Summit sets agenda

The operational and regulatory state of plastics recycling in Asia will be the lead topics of discussion at the 4^th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Circular Plastics Summit, taking place May 29-30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

According to James Chen of summit organizer Apex Events, policy aspects to be discussed include existing and proposed extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs in Southeast Asia and the state of cross-border trade in recycled-content plastics and plastic scrap.

The event’s keynote address titled “Bridging voluntary initiatives to mandatory EPR: Unlocking the circular economy for Southeast Asia” will be given by Roberto Benetello, CEO of the Malaysia Recycling Alliance (MAREA Berhad).

Benetello’s comments will “explore the critical transition from voluntary to mandatory EPR schemes for postconsumer packaging in Southeast Asia,” according to Suzhou, China-based Apex Events.

The presentation will touch upon collaboration between voluntary system operators and policymakers and address the role of EPR in improving recycling infrastructure, enhancing recycling rates for difficult-to-recycle plastics, fostering investments in sorting and recycling technologies and ensuring feedstock availability, says Chen.

A presentation by Lukas Hausladen, of Germany-based plastics recycling technology provider Krones Recycling GmbH will address the region’s circular economy for plastics, including trends and new markets for plastics recycling in Asia, the introduction of new recycling methods and case studies in the ASEAN region.

Other scheduled speakers include representative from Thailand-based Indorama Ventures PCL, S&P Global, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Braskem, recycling technology provider Erema Group, packaging provider Siegwerk, Vietnamese plastics producer Duytan Co. Ltd., and Malaysian plastics producer Heng Hiap Industries.

Sponsors of the conference include Erema Group, Krones Recycling and Siegwerk, plus Gneuss, Leistritz, Mura Technology, Nextchem, Sorema Plastic Recycling, Topsoe and Vanden Recycling.

More information about the 4^th ASEAN Circular Plastics Summit, including how to register, can be found on the event’s website.