On 20th October 2006, a new Plastics Films group was set up under the EuPC umbrella. This new European group is composed of national plastics films associations, film extruders, machinery suppliers and material suppliers. Called EuPF (European Plastic Films), the group has already elected a new board of directors. Björn Hoem (Cedo Folien) has been proposed as the first EuPF President and he will serve until the next General Assembly.

Other EuPF board members are Françoise Gerardi (F) CSEMP, Jürgen Bruder (D) IK, Kjell Lövold (N) Norfolier, John Persenda (F) Sphere, David Tyson (UK) Pifa, Enrique Gallego (E) AFILPLA, Enrico Calchia (I) Unionplast and Ad Groenewegen (B) Valeron Strength Films.

The first EuPF meeting agreed a detailed work programme for its several product specific working groups and three were set up for Agricultural film, Bags and Sacks and Industrial and Construction films in order to focus on the regulatory issues affecting these markets.
 
Following the successful anti-dumping complaint launched last year in July, the new EuPF Bags and Sacks Working Group will now monitor very closely all EU imports from China and Thailand and will report its findings to the EU Commission DG TRADE on a regular basis. The Agricultural film group will be preparing recommendations for the EU on how to increase the collection of agricultural plastic waste in Europe, particularly the south. The Industrial & Construction film group will work to ensure that this sector complies with the 6 essential requirements of the EU Construction Products Directive so that a CE mark can be applied to appropriate film products

The raw material suppliers Borealis, Biotec, Sabic and Total were present in this first meeting and are very supportive of this new group. All of them will be collaborating with the film extruders in the specific working groups in order to contribute their expertise.
Furthermore 2 horizontal EuPF working groups were set up and will be managed by national associations Printing and Converting (PIFA – UK) and Quality & Measurement (IK-D).

Membership is now open to associations and companies in other EU Countries. Interested parties should contact the EuPF or EuPC offices.

More information about this new group can be found on the new EuPF website
www.europeanplasticfilms.eu