New President and Vice-President look back to a successful GA & launch of Oknorec project in Poland

The European Association has held its annual General Assembly during which the usual rotation in presidency took place. Members welcomed new President Alexander Franke and Vice-President Götz Schmiedeknecht. During the adjoint conference, hosted by the Polish Window Association POiD, EPPA launched its PVC profile recycling project “Oknorec” in the Polish market.

The European PVC Profile Association (EPPA) recently concluded its General Assembly in Warsaw, marking the annual rotation of the EPPA Presidency and setting the course for the upcoming year. The General Assembly expressed sincere gratitude to outgoing President Carsten Heuer for his outstanding contributions and highlighted key achievements under his leadership over the past 12 months. Among the notable accomplishments during Carsten Heuer's tenure, EPPA successfully intensified the dialogue with European legislators, emphasizing the significance of PVC windows as a blueprint for sustainable construction products. This increased engagement paved the way for more informed discussions and a better understanding of the role PVC profiles play in the broader context of sustainable construction. In addition, EPPA announced the establishment of two national branches: EPPA Polska and EPPA Germany. These branches will serve as vital platforms to further promote the interests of the PVC profile systems industry and strengthen collaboration within their respective regions. “We have strengthened our organization and intensified our dialogue with key decision-makers on the European level. This positions the association well to take the much-needed next steps to make window replacement a reality in the context of the EU renovation wave” so outgoing President Carsten Heuer.

During the General Assembly, former Vice President Alexander Franke from Profine was warmly welcomed as the new President of EPPA. Assisting him in his role will be Götz Schmiedeknecht from Salamander. Together, they outlined three key priorities that will guide EPPA's activities in the next 12 months:

• Accelerate the implementation of the EU renovation wave: EPPA is committed to actively supporting the EU's ambitious renovation wave initiative. By engaging with policymakers, stakeholders, and industry partners, the association aims to expedite the adoption and implementation of energy-efficient refurbishment practices across Europe.
• Continue positioning PVC profile systems as a blueprint for product circularity: Recognizing the immense potential of PVC profile systems in driving circularity, EPPA will continue to advocate for their sustainable attributes. The association will emphasize the recyclability and durability of PVC profiles, further establishing them as a leading example of circular product design within the construction industry.
• Enhance sustainability along the supply chain of PVC profile systems: EPPA is dedicated to fostering sustainability throughout the entire supply chain of PVC profile systems. By collaborating closely with its members, the association aims to drive innovation, encourage responsible sourcing, and promote best practices that reduce environmental impact.

Furthermore, EPPA is committed to intensifying collaboration with its national association members, recognizing the value of unified efforts and knowledge exchange in advancing the industry's goals. “I am looking forward to an exciting and productive year where we will work to achieve the association's strategic priorities and drive sustainable growth in the PVC profile systems industry” says designated EPPA President Alexander Franke.

The General Assembly took place in Warsaw alongside the national POID conference, where EPPA was honored to design a full conference block on the first afternoon. The conference block centered around the theme of "Why the Green Deal needs PVC Window Systems," featuring esteemed guests including MEP Hetman (EPP) who delivered a speech on the relevance of the Construction Products Regulation for the Polish market. Oscar Nieto from the European Commission also provided a presentation on the revision of the Construction Products Regulation and forthcoming legislative requirements for the CE Marking of windows. “Given the on-going CPR Acquis process and the progress in the revision process of the Construction Products Regulation, the window industry can expect the entry into force of their new harmonized standard in around 5 years – if they start revising their standard now and the development runs smoothly, Oscar Nieto explained.

During the conference, EPPA proudly announced the launch of the OKNOREC PVC window collection and recycling project in Poland. Under the leadership of Marek Karwowski and Karol Pieta, this initiative aims to raise awareness about the recyclability of old PVC profiles from windows. The project's primary focus is to enhance collection processes for PVC profiles, ensuring their proper recycling and minimizing waste. The OKNOREC project aligns seamlessly with EPPA's overarching goals within the framework of the VinylPlus Sustainability Commitment 2030. While MEP Hetman kept his “fingers crossed for the OKNOREC project” as he explained during his presentation on the conference, the PVC window system supplier industry is determined to continue building industry-owned takeback networks that keep the PVC from old windows in a closed loop.