Precious Metals in Strasbourg

14-15 January 2020, Strasbourg – The European Precious Metals Federation (EPMF) has joined a Metals with Ambition Strasbourg programme organized by Eurometaux.

14 January 2020, panel debate “Circular Economy 2.0: igniting the urban mining revolution”

In the context of Metals with Ambition programme in Strasbourg, EPMF together with the European Aluminium was sponsoring a panel debate on “Circular Economy 2.0: igniting the urban mining revolution”. Debate was hosted by MEP Mauri Pekkarinen (Finland, Renew) and has attracted MEPs that are involved in circular economy, climate and environment files. Wouter Ghyoot, President of EPMF board (Umicore), made an introduction stressing most critical points of EU Chemicals Regulation and new Circular Economy Action Plan. He has posed questions to MEPs on collection of electronics that is still an open issue, waste shipment as well as on EU’s chemicals policy and zero-pollution ambition. All this was taken on board and discussed with MEP Lukas Mandl (Austria, EPP), and new MEP Karin Karlsbro (Sweden, Renew). This was also the occasion to share our key messages and proposals regarding Circular Economy and the need for consistency with Chemicals Management.

High-level MEP Dinner

In the evening France Capon, Secretary General of EPMF, and Wouter Ghyoot, President of EPMF board (Umicore), have joined a high-level dinner. Cosy atmosphere, friendly environment and of course a glass of good Alsace wine created a perfect occasion to once again touch upon precious metals industry and to discuss some key EU issues in more details. Number of MEPs dealing not only with EU Circular Economy or environmental policies were eager to discuss topics relevant to EPMF, naturally in a more relaxed and informal way.

15 January 2020, bilateral meetings – MEPs outreach

EPMF had an opportunity to introduce precious metals industry and pass on our messages and expertise in the fields of circular economy, environment and sustainability, namely collection of electronics and waste shipment to some of the MEPs and their assistants. It was also agreed to have a follow-up meeting with them in Brussels in due course. On a side note, on the same day the EU Parliament overwhelmingly supported the EU Commission’s proposal on EU Green Deal.

Social event

Metals with Ambition programme was concluded by a fun though educative part – metal themed pub quiz for MEPs assistants and political advisors. It was a pleasure to welcome them on behalf of metals commodity associations in one of the brasseries in Strasbourg. All got to learn a bit more about each other and hopefully a fun fact or two about metals!

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