Marco ten Bruggencate becomes new president of Plastics Europe

Plastics Europe announced the appointment of Marco ten Bruggencate, Commercial Vice President for Packaging and Specialty Plastics Emea at Dow, as its President. He succeeds Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro (pictured, the new president on the right, the outgoing president on the left and the general manager of Plastics Europe, Virginia Janssens, in the center).

In this new role, Marco ten Bruggencate will continue to drive Plastics Europe’s and its members’ ambitious sustainability agenda in line with the European Union’s Green Deal and climate-neutrality goals. He congratulated his predecessor for the crucial role he played in supporting the industry’s transition towards net zero carbon emissions and circularity. This includes promoting bolder policy positions, such as the call for a mandatory EU recycled content target for plastics packaging of 30% by 2030.

“I am proud to be taking up this important role at this challenging but exciting time for our industry. We are under no illusions about the scale and complexity of our industry’s transition and recognise the critical part we play in cutting emissions, reducing waste, and increasing circularity. To reach our ambitions, we will continue to take bolder decisions and positions, and with a strong emphasis on actions over words. We do not control all the various levers for this transition, and we do not have all the answers to the challenges we and the wider plastics system face. Collaboration with all stakeholders will be key. I very much look forward to working more closely with these stakeholders to realise a truly sustainable plastics economy in Europe”, Marco ten Bruggencate, Plastics Europe new President, stated.

Marco ten Bruggencate joined Dow in 2000 and has held various positions in Europe and the United States. Prior to his current role as Commercial Vice President Packaging and Specialty Plastics Emea, he was most recently Global Strategy Director Polyurethanes, Global Business Director Building and Construction and Global Business Director Construction Chemicals. Ten Bruggencate is a Dutch national and is currently based in Horgen, Switzerland.