Conference room:
Plenary
9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
Installed capacity vs. market: the paradox of plastic recycling in Latin America
Does installed capacity grow in Latam, mainly in Mexico and Brazil, but weak demand challenges waste pickers? The voluntary goals of brands, which previously drove consumption, have weakened in the face of an adverse economic context and higher prices against virgin resin. We will look at why waste pickers face idle plants, the prospects for long-term recycled plastic penetration, and the difficulties in marketing it at prices more attractive than increasingly cheaper virgin resin. We will also review the opposite paths of lack of regulation in Mexico and the new regulations in Brazil.
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TAUGHT BY:
Gustavo Corazzari Kruger, CFA
Markets Editor at ICIS
Gustavo is responsible for price analysis, regulatory trends and supply and demand dynamics for virgin and recycled plastics markets in Latin America. He is a Chemical Engineer and CFA Charterholder. Prior to joining ICIS, he had experience in petrochemical market analysis and the financial sector.
9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
Plastics industry: advances, challenges and roadmap to a circular economy
More details on this session will be published shortly.
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TAUGHT BY:
Ing. Benjamín del Arco, ANIPAC
Director de Innovación y Desarrollo Sustentable en Poly Rafia
Benjamin del Arco Ortiz is a Chemical Engineer from UNAM, with a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and studies from the University of British Columbia, in addition to training in Human Resources by ITAM.
With more than 40 years of experience, he has developed a solid experience in manufacturing, supply chain and sustainability. In Colgate-Palmolive he led operational and environmental strategies with significant impacts on efficiency and resource reduction.
He is currently Director of Innovation and Sustainable Development at Poly Rafia, where he promotes circular economy and recycled materials projects, and president of ANIPAC, from where he promotes the sustainable transformation of the plastics industry.
10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Food Grade: The New Era of Recycled PP in the Americas - NEXTLOOPP / Alcamare
Circularity in packaging is today a priority for brands, waste pickers and regulators. However, for years recycled polypropylene (rPP) suitable for food contact was considered a virtually impossible target to achieve. What has changed?
This keynote conference will feature how the NEXTLOOPP Americas initiative has managed to overcome the technical and regulatory barriers that historically prevented the reincorporation of recycled PP in food-grade applications. The session will address advances in advanced classification, decontamination processes and collaboration models in the value chain, which today allow to produce high purity rPP on an industrial scale. The attendees will learn first-hand the technological, scientific and commercial milestones that are opening a new stage for the circularity of polypropylene in the region.
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We will announce the expert in charge of this session soon.
4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Regulations are evolving: Is your packaging ready for recycling?
Regulations surrounding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the circular economy are advancing rapidly in Mexico, Latin America and globally, setting increasingly demanding targets for recyclability and recycled content.
For companies that produce, use, or market plastic packaging, adapting to these new requirements is no longer optional.
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This conference will present tools developed by The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) to assess the compatibility of packaging with current recycling systems. It will review the scope of the APR Design Guidelines and the recently developed APR Design® Assessment, created in collaboration with Recyda, which provides independent verification of product recyclability in North America and other markets. The session will offer practical guidance for preparing for the new regulatory environment and moving toward truly recyclable packaging.
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TAUGHT BY:
Steve Alexander
CEO de APR
Steve Alexander is President and CEO of the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), an organization recognized globally for developing technical and educational solutions to strengthen the plastic recycling industry.
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He is also president of Resource Recycling, Inc., a leading publisher and conference organizer in the industry. He has over 20 years of experience in public policy, environmental issues, and technology, including a decade at Eastman Kodak.
He is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and has an MBA from Loyola University in Baltimore.
5:00 – 5:45 p.m.
Technical and economic factors that will affect PET recycling in Mexico
MODERATOR:
Santiago García
Coordinator of the ECOCE recyclers committee
Santiago García was born in Mexico City. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), completed a food technology scholarship in Great Britain, and worked for 10 years in the chemical and metallurgical industry at Industrias Peñoles in Mexico and New York. In 1989, he launched one of the first PET container manufacturing companies in Mexico and served as director of Continental PET Technologies for Latin America until 2001.
In 1995, he led the group that formed APREPET AC, the first association in the PET packaging production chain, and served as its first president. From 2002 to 2008, he was the general manager of APREPET AC. From 2009 to 2017, he was a Senior Consultant at Wood MacKenzie in Great Britain. He also served as a technical advisor to Inboplast between 2018 and 2019. He is currently a coordinator.
Conference room:
Recycling
11:30 – 12:00 p.m.
New developments in filtration systems
More details about this session will be published shortly.
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TAUGHT BY:
Julián Martínez
BritAs sales representative in Mexico and Texas
Chemical Engineer specializing in plastics and industrial management. He has thirteen years of experience in the recycling industry. He is currently the director of IPYROS, a representative agency for premium recycling technologies. He also manages Poltrade Recycling SA de CV, a recycled compounds plant and a company developing advancements in the recycling industry.
12:00 – 12:30 a.m.
The role of degassing and filtration in polyolefin recycling
The quality of pellets obtained from recycled plastics depends largely on their final application and the presence of contaminants in the material. These contaminants can take the form of solid particles, inks, volatile compounds, or undesirable aromas that affect the performance of the recycled polymer.
This conference will address the key role of degassing and filtration processes, which are performed on molten polymer to remove contaminants and improve material purity. It will also explain the mass transfer mechanisms used to remove odor-causing compounds, contributing to the production of higher-quality recycled pellets suitable for more demanding applications.
TAUGHT BY:
Marco Lucio
Gerente Regional de Ventas LATAM de NGR
M. Sc. Marco Lucio, Ingeniero Químico y Gerente Regional de Ventas LATAM de NGR. Maestro en Ciencias de Ingeniería Química orientado a temas de optimización y control de procesos dinámicos. Responsable del desarrollo del mercado posconsumo en Latinoamérica para NGR durante los últimos 5 años.
12:30 – 1:00 a.m.
We will announce the expert in charge of this session soon.
2:30 – 3:00 a.m.
We will announce the expert in charge of this session soon.
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Chemical recycling in Mexico: the Greenback case
Chemical recycling is emerging as a key solution for plastic waste that currently lacks viable solutions through traditional methods. This presentation will analyze Greenback Recycling Technologies' role in developing innovative solutions for flexible plastics, packaging, and other difficult-to-recycle materials, using a decentralized, scalable model aligned with the needs of emerging economies.
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Using Mexico as a case study, the Cuautla project, a global pioneer in implementing ENVAL's technology to create circularity for post-consumer multilayer packaging, will be explored. Collaborations with key players such as Nestlé and ECOCE will also be reviewed, highlighting how the integration of technology, traceability, and strategic alliances is accelerating the transition to a more efficient and sustainable circular economy in the region.
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TAUGHT BY:
Martín Reich Sapire
CEO of Greenback Mexico and LATAM
Martín Reich Sapire is a leading figure in plastic recycling in Mexico, with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He is currently CEO of Greenback Mexico and Latin America, where he drives advanced recycling solutions for flexible packaging, integrating technology, sustainability, and digital traceability.
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Under his leadership, Greenback launched in Cuautla the world's first industrial pilot plant to recycle post-consumer multilayer packaging through microwave pyrolysis, transforming them into raw materials for new plastics.
His career, which includes the founding of Plásticos Reich, and his vision of turning waste into value position him as a key voice in the transition to a circular economy in the region.
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
The role of private capital in the growth of recycling in Latin America
The growth of the circular economy in Latin America depends not only on new technologies, but also on access to capital that allows for scaling up solutions and strengthening local recycling infrastructure. In recent years, specialized investment funds have begun to play a key role in accelerating this development in the region.
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This conference will present real-world case studies of investment in recycling and waste management companies in Latin America, demonstrating how private capital can drive capacity expansion, professionalize operations, and integrate recyclers into global supply chains. Through the experience of Circulate Capital, the conference will analyze how collaboration between institutional investors, companies across the plastics value chain, and local entrepreneurs is strengthening the recycling ecosystem and building more resilient and scalable business models in the region.
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We will announce the expert in charge of this session soon.
Conference room:
Trends
11:30 – 12:00 p.m.
From pilot data to design pioneers: driving chemical recycling towards industrial implementation
Chemical recycling is emerging as a key complement to mechanical recycling for processing complex streams of plastic waste, such as multilayer materials, blends, and contaminated flexible packaging. However, bringing these technologies from the laboratory to industrial scale requires robust operational data and a rigorous engineering approach.
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This conference will showcase Aduro Clean Technologies' progress in scaling up its Hydrochemolytic™ Technology (HCT), including the operation of a continuous pilot plant and the use of these results in the design of a first demonstration plant (FOAK). Lessons learned from processing real post-consumer waste will also be shared, offering a practical perspective on how chemical recycling technologies can move toward industrial implementation and support more circular recycling systems.
TAUGHT BY:
Abe Dyck
Director of Corporate Development and Investor Relations, Aduro Clean Technologies
Abe Dyck is Head of Corporate Development and Investor Relations at Aduro Clean Technologies, where he leads the development of strategic alliances, project structuring, and investor relations. His work connects the commercial, technical, and financial teams to drive the advancement of pilot, demonstration, and commercial projects, aligning technological development with funding, infrastructure, and market adoption.
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He has over 20 years of experience working with technology and industrial companies in growth stages, in the areas of corporate development, strategy, and investor relations. His focus is on transforming complex technology initiatives into actionable projects and investment opportunities. Abe frequently participates in industry and financial forums, where he shares insights on scaling up chemical recycling and the evolution of the circular economy for plastics.
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Promoting circularity through a collaborative value chain in plastics
The growing global demand for solutions that drive a circular economy is rapidly transforming the plastics value chain. In this context, innovation in materials and technologies is becoming essential to expand recycling opportunities and improve the performance of recovered materials. This conference will showcase solutions developed by ExxonMobil that help overcome some of the main challenges in recycling. Specifically, Vistamaxx™ performance polymers and Exact™ polyolefin elastomers help compensate for the loss of properties and variability of mechanically recycled material, facilitating its incorporation into more demanding applications.
On the other hand, Exxtend™ advanced recycling technology expands the types of plastic waste that can be recycled by transforming them into raw materials of virgin-quality equivalent. Together, these solutions illustrate practical and scalable approaches to advancing greater circularity in the plastics industry.
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TAUGHT BY:
Scott Schnell
Market Development Manager for Circular Products in the Americas
Scott Schnell is the market development manager for circular products in the Americas at ExxonMobil, where he leads business development for advanced recycling solutions, including Exxtend™ technology. He collaborates with stakeholders across the value chain—converters, brand owners, and retailers—to drive innovative solutions that support sustainability goals. Since joining ExxonMobil in 2014, he has held leadership positions in manufacturing, supply chain, operations, business planning, and marketing. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Jason Baum
Marketing Lead for polypropylene portfolios at ExxonMobil for the Americas
Jason Baum is the Marketing Lead for the Vistamaxx™ and Exact™ polypropylene portfolios at ExxonMobil for the Americas, where he focuses on identifying new market opportunities and developing solutions that drive customer growth. His work connects market needs with the capabilities of ExxonMobil's polymer portfolio, collaborating closely with customers and internal teams to accelerate innovation and generate value throughout the supply chain.
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Jason holds a degree in Materials Science and Engineering with a specialization in polymers from the University of Florida. He has over ten years of experience at ExxonMobil, where he has held roles in technology, planning, supply chain, and marketing. This experience has allowed him to develop a comprehensive understanding of the polymer business, combining technical and commercial knowledge to drive practical and scalable solutions.
12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Additives to solve the challenges of rPET
The rPET market in Latin America is evolving rapidly, driven by brands' recycled content commitments, new regulations, and shifts in global trade dynamics. While demand for rPET for packaging applications continues to grow, its development faces challenges related to limited local recycling capacity, competition from imported virgin or recycled resins, and volatile virgin PET prices.
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At the same time, increased collection rates, mandatory recycled content targets, and advancements in circular economy frameworks in Mexico are driving larger volumes of material through multiple recycling cycles, accelerating its degradation. This results in phenomena such as yellowing of the material, reduced gloss, darker bottles, and increased contaminant levels. The conference will analyze these challenges and discuss the role of specialized additives in stabilizing the properties of rPET, improving its performance across successive recycling cycles, and supporting the transition to true circularity in PET packaging in the region.
TAUGHT BY:
Eelco Van Hamersveld
Chief Technology Officer en Holland Colours
Eelco van Hamersveld is Chief Technology Officer at Holland Colours, where he leads the company's innovation strategy, product development, and manufacturing modernization. With a PhD in Polymer Technology and a Global Executive MBA, he has held key positions at companies such as Philips Lighting and GE Plastics, driving operational excellence and sustainability initiatives.
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Throughout his career, he has combined strategic vision and a technical approach to develop market-oriented solutions, while promoting innovation, talent development, and a high-performance culture.
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Design for circularity: strategies and materials to comply with new regulatory frameworks
Increasing regulatory pressure and sustainability commitments are redefining design criteria, material selection, and performance in the plastics industry.
This presentation will address the main technical challenges associated with recyclability, material compatibility, and the incorporation of recycled content, as well as the implications these factors have on the value chain.
Based on recent cases and developments, design strategies for circularity will be analyzed, including formulations that facilitate recycling, solutions to improve the processability of recycled resins, and approaches to align technical performance with regulatory requirements.
TAUGHT BY:
Liliana Morales Mejía
Business Development Manager at Avient
elco van Hamersveld is Chief Technology Officer at Holland Colours, where he leads the company's innovation strategy, product development, and manufacturing modernization. With a PhD in Polymer Technology and a Global Executive MBA, he has held key positions at companies such as Philips Lighting and GE Plastics, driving operational excellence and sustainability initiatives.
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Throughout his career, he has combined strategic vision and a technical approach to develop market-oriented solutions, while promoting innovation, talent development, and a high-performance culture.
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
We will announce the expert in charge of this session soon.
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
We will announce the expert in charge of this session soon.
Conference room:
Extrusion
11:30 – 12:00 p.m.
Integrated solutions for the circularity of plastics
Plastic recycling faces significant challenges when processing streams with low bulk density, residual contamination, or variability in feed, factors that affect process stability and the quality of the recycled material.
To address these challenges, technological configurations have been developed that integrate extrusion, pre-densification, and material conditioning. These include MAS's co-rotating conical twin-screw extruder, the iQONIC TWIN PreDensifier pre-densification system developed in collaboration with Siempelkamp, ​​and complementary processes such as DRD (waterless washing), which aim to improve polymer plasticization, reduce material defects, and optimize the efficiency of the recycling process.
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TAUGHT BY:
Luis Mauricio Castro Ugalde
Gerente de Ventas Regional e Ingeniero de Procesos, MAS America Inc
Luis Mauricio Castro, Ingeniero mecánico con especialidad en gestión de proyectos, cuenta con apenas cinco años de experiencia en el sector del reciclaje de plásticos. Actualmente se desempeña como Area Sales Manager y Process Engineer en MAS America, donde aporta una sólida combinación de conocimiento técnico y visión estratégica para el desarrollo e implementación de soluciones sostenibles.
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Recycling under pressure: engineering solutions for highly contaminated polymer streams
This presentation examines how the design of melt and pellet filtration systems influences the quality and efficiency of plastics recycling. Using real-world recycling applications, it demonstrates how a stable melt flow, effective contaminant removal, and controlled pelleting contribute to maintaining consistent recycled material quality.
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Key topics include the BKG® HiCon™ K SWE HD/RS recycling filter for blown film recycling, filtration concepts jointly developed by Nordson and FIMIC for handling contaminated polyolefin streams, and the BKG® HiCon™ V Type 3G melt filter with FlexDisc™ technology. The session will conclude with the BKG® CrystallCut® pelletizing process, using PET/rPET as an example. Attendees will gain practical knowledge for improving process stability, operational efficiency, and material quality in modern plastics recycling lines.
TAUGHT BY:
Pedro Montoya
Account Director for Latin America - Nordson
Pedro has over seven years of experience at Nordson Polymer Processing Systems, where he leads commercial operations for Latin America. In his role, he works closely with clients in the region to address technical challenges in various areas of polymer processing, particularly in applications related to recycling and process efficiency. He is committed to driving solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future for the plastics industry.
12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Creating added value to recycling with twin-screw technology
The current market situation is particularly affecting recycling companies. Traditionally, these companies have processed large volumes of post-consumer waste to convert it into medium-quality recycled materials. However, the rising costs of cleaning and sorting contaminated waste often exceed the market value of the recovered materials. This, combined with low prices for virgin raw materials and low-quality imports, makes this model increasingly unsustainable. In response, shifting towards high-quality niche markets, rather than mass production, has proven to be a more resilient and viable strategy.
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To build resilience, it is essential to adopt niche strategies focused on specialized, higher-quality recycling. This is where Leistritz's twin-screw technology provides the necessary added value for improved efficiency and quality. Value-added recycled materials are key to sustainable growth, efficiency, and success.
TAUGHT BY:
Roberto Freire Matteucci
Sales Director for the recycling and biopolymers sectors - Leistritz
Roberto Freire Matteucci is Sales Director for Recycling & Biopolymers at Leistritz. He holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, specializing in computer-integrated design of products and processes.
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In the early years of his career, he participated in the development and design of extrusion lines for compounding and recycling applications. Since 2014, he has been part of the Leistritz sales team as sales director for Spanish-speaking countries, and since 2023, he has served as global sales director for recycling and biopolymer applications, driving the development of technological solutions for these markets internationally.
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Flexible plastic packaging: conditions and routes to contribute to a circular economy in Mexico
The necessary transformations in flexible plastic packaging to adopt circular economy schemes, strategies, and principles represent one of the most complex challenges for consumption, industry, and public policy. This is due to consumption habits, technical factors, infrastructure, and the coordination among stakeholders. While significant limitations still exist in value and supply chains, the groundwork for their development is being laid through education, innovation, pilot projects, and collaborative efforts.
This panel will explore the conditions necessary to advance the circularity of flexible plastic packaging, as well as the pathways that could enable its scalability in the medium term. From a systemic perspective based on experience, it will analyze current progress, existing gaps, and the transformative potential of this material within recycling systems.
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We will announce the expert in charge of this session soon.
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Success story: Bioflex
We will announce the expert in charge of this session soon.
A MARKET IN TRANSFORMATION
Plastics recycling in Latin America is evolving under regulatory pressures, mandatory recycled content targets, technological innovation, and increased sustainability demands from global brands. Plastics Recycling LATAM offers a comprehensive analysis to anticipate these changes and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
