PSGE admin 08/10/2024
6th October 2025
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About Plastics Summit - Global Event

Don´t miss this global event

After the highly successful first edition, in 2022, the Plastics Summit – Global Event (PSGE) will return in 2025 with new topics, updated information, scientific knowledge, and new challenges. By coming together with a shared goal for a just transition we will continue “Moving into a New Era of Responsible and Holistic Sustainability”.

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Speakers
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Sponsors
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Partners

The 2025 edition will also have the presentation of the results of the Sustainable Mobilising Agenda for Sustainable Plastics in Portugal.

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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT WILL BE DISCUSSED

Exploring Challenges and Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Ten years after the Paris Agreement and with only five years remaining to reach the 2030 targets for energy transition and decarbonization, alongside the introduction of mandatory sustainability regulations (ESG) for industries, processes, and products, as well as for consumers behaviors, it is crucial that this industrial sector meets its targets towards a sustainable future.
PSGE 2025 will be a pivotal event for driving multi-sectoral and international networking and knowledge sharing, placing a strong emphasis on people and planetary health. Our key themes include Circularity, Transition, Resilience, Adaptation, Safety, Integrity, Regeneration and Interdisciplinarity.
We will also continue to explore critical aspects related to Resources, Oceans, Recycling, Behaviors, Environment, Technology and Sustainable Development.
Four topics will be addressed in four rounds of debates over solutions for economy, society, industry, and the environment.

1st Panel
Keep Looping:
Enhancing Circularity

The circular economy has gained significant presence as a strategic factor for business and industry as crucial enabler of a sustainable economy, and a lever for overcoming resource dependencies. However, the circular economy continues to be a challenge for this industry and any sector of the value chain.
At a time when several new legislations are emerging and new requirements and targets will be set for the collection, recycling and recycled content (PPWR, ELV/Auto, Food Contact, Pellet Loss prevention and control), it is important to explore the main challenges, opportunities, barriers and bottlenecks on the way to closing the loop.
Mechanical and chemical recycling, biowaste, recycled content, eco-design, traceability and case studies are subjects of matter importance for this discussion.

Partner, Strategy and Transactions, EY

CEO of Sociedade Ponto Verde

2nd Panel
Transition Pathways:
A Societal Approach

Many of our major transition challenges are not only related to raw materials, technology, and industrial processes, but also to consumption patterns, social behaviors, ethical communication, fair marketing, political decisions, and legislation. These must be based on true knowledge and research. The Global Plastic Treaty (UNEA resolution) to end plastic pollution and the Green Claims Directive to fight against greenwashing practices are two approaches which highlights this need. Furthermore, the way information is conveyed between organizations and to the consumer/society needs to be based on evidence, with a strong focus on overcoming disinformation and going beyond mere “educating”. The industry should globally pursue credibility and trust and address current challenges by embracing a culture of integrity, responsibility and transparency built on compliance with ethics, safety, human health, human rights, sustainability, and social responsibility within the plastics sector.

President of Novo Verde and ERP Portugal 

Full Professor NOVA National School of Public Health 

PAGEV President 
TOBB Plastics, Rubber and Composite Industry Assembly President 
SEM Plastik Board of Directors Chair 

3rd Panel
Resilient Industry and Integrated Management

A just transition is necessary for both people and industry. To become more resilient, it is essential to have the capacity not only to adapt but also to adopt a foresight and preparedness approach to tackle climate change and unpredictable geopolitics events, among other societal and challenges. To achieve European and global targets, the industry will need to accelerate the green transition for a net-zero industry (decarbonization) or negative emissions. On the other hand, with an increasing number of ESG regulations, standards and sustainable finance emerging worldwide, it is crucial to bring to the debate their implications for business practices and global markets. We will also have the opportunity to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in this area and how it could be leveraged to embrace more sustainable and efficient practices.

Partner at Shiftify and Former Minister of Environment and Climate Action of Portugal

Vice-President of the PPE group and Co-President of the Cleantech Friendship Group

4th Panel
Regenerative Ecosystem Architecture: From cradle to cradle

Pollution and biodiversity loss are two crises we must combat now. Creating a regenerative economy, raising awareness, and securing funds for global actions that add value to our common good are crucial to the Earth System. Healthy oceans, increased forestation, and ecosystem restoration are fundamental for our life. The challenge we face is not individual but collective and systemic. In fact, ecosystems that restore, renew or revitalize their own sources of energy and materials help our planet thrive, but this requires a scale of change that demands full commitment and global cooperation.

Professional Explorer, Speaker, and Author

EXPERT COMMITTEE

COORDINATION

MEMBERS

SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS AGENDA AT
PLASTICS SUMMIT - GLOBAL EVENT 2025

The SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS Project aims to become the Mobilising Agenda for Sustainable Plastics in Portugal, capable of leveraging the sector’s transition to a truly circular economy. Co-financed by the Portuguese Recovery Plan, this Agenda is the result of an APIP initiative, led by the Logoplaste Innovation Lab, and aims to mobilise the private sector, national authorities, universities and citizens, contributing to the objectives of the European Circular Economy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, greater resource efficiency and job creation.
At the Plastics Summit – Global Event 2025, the “Sustainable Plastics Stage” will be the stage for presenting the results of the 14 projects that make up this Mobilising Agenda.

Agenda

8.00AM - 9.00AM
Registration
9.00AM - 9.15AM
Opening Cerimony
Amaro Reis

Presidente da Associação Portuguesa da Indústria de Plásticos | APIP

Rita Marques

Secretária de Estado de Turismo, Comércio e Serviços | Governo de Portugal

09.15AM - 10.45AM
1stPanel
Keep Looping: Enhancing Circularity
10.45AM - 11.15AM
Coffee-Break
11.15AM - 12.45PM
2nd Panel
Transition pathways: A Societal Approach
12.45PM - 2.00PM
Lunch
2.00PM - 3.30PM
3rd Panel
Resilient Industry and Integrated Management
3.30PM - 4.00PM
Coffee-Break
4.00PM - 5.30PM
4th Panel
Regenerative Ecosystem Architecture: From cradle to cradle
5.30PM - 6.00 PM
Closing Session
Isabel Ferreira

Secretária de Estado do Desenvolvimento Regional | Governo de Portugal

João Galamba

Secretário de Estado do Ambiente e da Energia | Governo de Portugal

6.15PM
  • Networking Cocktail
8.30AM - 9.00AM
Opening Cerimony
Amaro Reis

Presidente da Associação Portuguesa da Indústria de Plásticos | APIP

Márcia Damas

Líder Empresarial da Agenda Sustainable Plastics | Logoplaste Innovation Lab

Jorge Coelho

Coordenador Científico da Agenda Sustainable Plastics | Universidade de Coimbra

WP1
  • 10.00AM - 10.45AM
  • 10.45AM - 11.00AM
  • 11.00AM - 11.15AM
WP1 - Circularity by Material Design
  • PPS1: New MP
  • PPS2: Eco Board
  • PPS3: RECPET
WP1 - Circularity by Material Design
  • 10.00AM - 10.45AM
  • PPS1: New MP
  • 10.45AM - 11.00AM
  • PPS2: Eco Board
  • 11.00AM - 11.15AM
  • PPS3: RECPET
WP1
  • 12.45PM - 1.00PM
  • 1.00PM - 1.15PM
  • 1.15PM - 1.30PM
  • 1.30PM - 1.45PM
  • 1.15PM - 2.00PM
WP2 - Circularity by Product Design
  • PPS4: Frascos MG
  • PPS5: Aro SIE
  • PPS6: Recicla+
  • PPS7: Neutro.Bottle
  • PPS8: Nirvana
WP2 - Circularity by Product Design
  • 12.45AM - 1.00PM
  • PPS4: Frascos MG
  • 1.00PM - 1.15PM
  • PPS5: Aro SIE
  • 1.15PM - 1.30PM
  • PPS6: Recicla+
  • 1.30PM - 1.45PM
  • PPS7: Neutro.Bottle
  • 1.15PM - 2.00PM
  • PPS8: Nirvana
WP1
  • 3.15PM - 3.30PM
  • 3.30PM - 3.45PM
  • 3.45PM - 4.00PM
WP3 - Circularity by Recycling
  • PPS9: Connected Singularity
  • PPS10: Recy.tube
  • PPS11: Ecotelepoles
WP3 - Circularity by Recycling
  • 3.15PM - 3.30PM
  • PPS9: Connected Singularity
  • 3.30PM - 3.45PM
  • PPS10: Recy.tube
  • 3.45PM - 4.00PM
  • PPS11: Ecotelepoles
WP1
  • 5.15PM - 5.30PM
  • 5.30PM - 5.45PM
  • 5.45PM - 6.00PM
WP4 -Circularity by Alternative Feedstock
  • PPS12: BiFibRe
  • PPS13: Biofilm
  • PPS14: Olivepit_Cutlery
WP4 -Circularity by Alternative Feedstock
  • 5.15 PM - 5.30PM
  • PPS12: BiFibRe
  • 5.30PM - 5.45PM
  • PPS13: Biofilm
  • 5.45PM - 6.00PM
  • PPS14: Olivepit_Cutlery
6.00PM - 6.15PM
Closing Session
6.15PM
  • Networking Cocktail
FEEDBACK ON THE EVENT

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Watch the Highlights of the first edition

PLASTICS SUMMIT - GLOBAL EVENT 2022
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Jorge Moreira da Silva
Chairman at Platform for Sustainable Growth

Speaker of the 1st. Panel – The Effectiveness of the Regulatory Measures Applied to the Plastics Value Chain. Reflections on their Elaboration, Implementation and Monitoring

Jorge Moreira da Silva is Chairman of the think-tank Platform for Sustainable Growth (which he founded in 2011) and Professor at Sciences Po, in Paris.

He recently stepped down as Director of the Development Co-operation Directorate at OECD, in Paris (2016-2022). From 2013 to 2015, he was Portugal’s Minister of Environment, Energy and Spatial Planning. Prior to this Ministerial position, he served as Programme Manager on Climate Change Innovative Finance at UNDP, New York (2009-2012); Senior Advisor to the President of Portugal (2006-2009); Secretary of State for Science and Higher Education (2003-2004); Secretary of State for Environment and Spatial Planning (2004-2005); Member of the Portuguese Parliament; and Member of the European Parliament (1999-2003). As Member of the European Parliament, he was the Standing Draftsman on climate change and he authored the Report and the political agreement on the EU GHG Emissions Trading Directive in 2003. 

Jorge Moreira da Silva graduated from the University of Porto with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and holds a postgraduate degree in Senior Management from the AESE-IESE Business School, Navarra University, Spain. 

Alicia Rubi

Alicia Rubi
Partner, Strategy and Transactions, EY

Speaker of the 1st. Panel – Keep Looping: Enhancing Circularity

Alicia is an expert in the strategic and financial integration of sustainability in business operations. She is a former member of the IFRS Advisory Council, the strategic advisory body to the Trustees of the International Standards Board. Alicia has extensive experience in the financial sector, where she has traveled and worked on three continents in a variety of roles, from structured financing to capital markets and asset management. Before joining the EY organization, Alicia was a partner at an independent strategic and financial sustainability consulting firm in Madrid. Alicia holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) credentials. She has a degree in Internal Relations and Economics from the College of William and Mary and advanced studies in Climate Innovation from ETH-Zurich. She speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese. 

Ana Trigo Morais

Ana Trigo Morais
CEO of Sociedade Ponto Verde

Speaker of the 1st. Panel – Keep Looping: Enhancing Circularity

Ana Trigo Morais has a degree in Law at Católica Law School in Porto and a post-graduate qualification in Executive Management at AESE Business School in Lisbon, where she earned high experience in management areas. 

She started her professional experience at Teatro Nacional de São Carlos and in 2004 she joined Fundação Centro Cultural de Belém as an executive member of the Board. 

Six years later, in 2010, she became CEO at APED, the Portuguese Retailers Association, where she remained until 2018. 

Currently, she holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at Sociedade Ponto Verde. 

Ricardo Neto

Ricardo Neto
President of Novo Verde and ERP Portugal

Speaker of the 2nd. Panel – Transition Pathways: A Societal Approach

Ricardo Neto began his career in the commercial area and entered the environmental sector in 2000 as a consultant for IT companies in Iberia. In 2005, he became General Director of ERP Portugal and, in 2014, Head of Landbell South America, the year he founded Novo Verde, breaking the Green Dot’s 25-year monopoly. He is president of Novo Verde and ERP Portugal and vice-president of Fluxos. With extensive international experience, he played a key role in implementing WEEE management in Brazil and has spoken at global conferences. 

Susana Viegas

Susana Viegas
Full Professor NOVA National School of Public Health

Speaker of the 2nd. Panel – Transition Pathways: A Societal Approach

Susana Viegas is a professor and researcher at NOVA National School of Public Health and besides lecturing she coordinates several research projects on environmental determinants of health. She is a member of the Committee for Risk Assessment of the European Chemicals Agency and of the Scientific Committee of the European Environment Agency. Since 2021, she has been collaborating with the International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization. She has authored and co-authored more than 120 scientific publications and has been included in the world’s top 2% scientists list by Stanford University (2022). 

Yavuz Eroglu

YAVUZ EROĞLU
PAGEV President
TOBB Plastics, Rubber and Composite Industry Assembly President
SEM Plastik Board of Directors Chair

Speaker of the 2nd. Panel – Transition Pathways: A Societal Approach

Born in 1973 in Istanbul, Yavuz Eroğlu graduated from ITU Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering and earned master’s degrees from Boğaziçi and Marmara Universities. He received leadership training from Harvard University under Michael Porter. Since 2002, he has been Managing Partner at SEM Plastik and chairs SEM Global, Credoy Polimer, and Recyloop. He leads PAGEV, TOBB Plastics Assembly, and founded PAGCEV. A board member of EUPC and MECC, he has published 50+ papers and spoken globally on plastics, sustainability, and finance. He managed the “Mutlu Balıklar” project and is an amateur marathon runner. 

Duarte Cordeiro

Duarte Cordeiro
Partner at Shiftify and Former Minister of Environment and Climate Action of Portugal

Speaker of the 3rd. Panel – Resilient Industry and Integrated Management

With more than 10 years of experience in public administration and management, He was Minister for Environment and Climate Action for Portugal, where he oversaw the implementation of the national strategy for climate action, energy transition, circular economy, and sustainable development. He holds an Executive MBA from ISCTE and a Graduation in Economics from ISEG, with an Erasmus exchange at Universiteit Antwerpen. He has a strong background in sustainable policies, international relations, public relations, and team leadership, having previously served as the Secretary of State for the Prime-minister and Parlamentary Affairs and as Vice-President for Lisbon municipality. 

Lídia Pereira

Lídia Pereira
Vice-President of the PPE group and Co-President of the Cleantech Friendship Group

Speaker of the 3rd. Panel – Resilient Industry and Integrated Management

Lídia Pereira holds a degree in Economics from the University of Coimbra and a Master’s in European Economic Studies from the College of Europe (Bruges, Belgium). After an internship at the European Investment Bank, Lídia became a consultant in the financial sector.  

Later, she became politically active in the JSD, the youth organization of the Social Democratic Party (PSD, Portugal). In May 2016, Lídia was appointed International Secretary of the JSD’s Executive Committee (2016-2018). Since 2018, she has served as President of the Youth of the European People’s Party (YEPP) in her third term.  

Elected to the European Parliament in 2019, she has since been a member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, a member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Tax Matters, and the Committee on Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety, where she is the PPE rapporteur for COP. In the current term, 2024-2029, Lídia Pereira will also join the International Trade Committee and rejoin the Delegation for Relations with the People’s Republic of China. 

Nacho Dean

Nacho Dean
Professional Explorer, Speaker, and Author

Speaker of the 4th. Panel – Regenerative Ecosystem Architecture: From cradle to cradle

NACHO DEAN is a professional explorer, speaker and author. He is the first person in history to walk around the world and swim across five continents to raise awareness for environmental conservation. His books, Libre y Salvaje and La llamada del océano, have been widely praised. Nacho has been featured in global media, including CNN and National Geographic. His recent projects include the Portugal Azul expedition and the 2023 documentary El caminante del mar. He has spoken at over 200 international events, sharing his experiences and passion for sustainability.

Liliam Benzi

Liliam Benzi
Founder & CEO of LDB Comunicação Empresarial

Moderator of the 1st. Panel – Keep Looping: Enhancing Circularity

Liliam Benzi is a specialist in Communication, Digital Marketing, and Business Development & Strategies for B2B, with a strong focus on the packaging industry. 

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication (FIAM), a Postgraduate degree in Packaging Engineering (Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia), and specializations in Digital Marketing (Insper) and AI Applied to Business (Ibmec). 

As the head of LDB Comunicação Empresarial, she works as a Communication & Marketing Advisor, Social Media Manager, and Business Strategist for Brazilian and international companies and organizations, including ABIEF and WPO (World Packaging Organization). 

Liliam was named Professional of the Year by the Embanews Brazilian Packaging Award and was the first Latin American President of the IPPO (International Packaging Press Organization), where she remains an Honorary Member. 

Filipe Domingues

Filipe Domingues
Co-founder and director of the Centre for Cooperation in Cyberspace

Moderator of the 2nd. Panel – Transition Pathways: A Social Approach

Filipe Domingues is co-founder and director of the Centre for Cooperation in Cyberspace (CCC), Representative in Portugal of the Institute for Economics and Peace, consultant for Concerta International Consulting and guest professor at the Nova School of Business and Economics. 

He was Secretary General of the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean – IPDAL – where he remains a non-executive member of the Board of Directors, was a radio and television journalist and is one of the co-authors of the biography of UN Secretary General António Guterres, ‘The World Doesn’t Have to Be This Way’. 

He was honoured by the Government of Colombia with the Orden de San Carlos. 

Filipe Domingues has a degree in Communication Sciences from Universidade Nova de Lisboa. He was born in 1985, is married and has two children. 

Natalia Ortega

Natalia Ortega
Editor-in-Chief Plastics Technology Mexico

Moderator of the 3rd. Panel – Resilient Industry and Integrated Management

Journalist with a master’s degree in international Affairs. With over 20 years of experience publications related to plastics and manufacturing industries in Mexico and South America. She was a recipient of the prestigious Knight-Wallace Fellowship at the University of Michigan (2014-2015) and received the Siemens Environmental Journalism Award in 2011. Currently, she actively contributes to the discussion on plastic circularity, recycling, sustainability, and female leadership in manufacturing through content creation, storytelling, and analysis of technological and market trends. 

Jorge Cristino

Jorge Cristino
Sustainability and Climate Specialist

Moderator of the 4th. Panel – Regenerative Ecosystem Architecture: From cradle to cradle

Jorge Cristino is an engineer, with master’s in international relations, postgraduate in Environmental Law, specialized in Cooperation for Development. Currently He is Partner at Get2C, and he was board member in a Portuguese state owner company for environment, geology and mining, and Chief of Staff of Secretary of State of Environment. He is also member for the Task Force to recognize Climate System as a Common Heritage of Humanity by United Nations and member of several NGOs. He’s also author of the book “The Cities’ Mission to tackle climate change”, as well as several scientific and opinion articles. 

Marta Moreira Marques

Marta Moreira Marques
Assistant Professor at the National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon / Associate for the Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London

Expert Commitee Coordinator  

Assistant Professor at the National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, and Associate for the Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London (PhD in Health Psychology from Leiden University), Marta has achievements recognised by prestigious international awards, and was invited to join expert commissions (e.g Portuguese Behavioral Science COVID-19 Task Force), and contributed to various international consortium grants (e.g. EU H2020, NIH). Research focuses on applying behaviour change models to develop and evaluate complex interventions targeting a range of behaviours in health and sustainability. 

Jorge Coelho

Jorge Coelho
Full professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Coimbra and Scientific Leader of Sustainable Plastics Agenda

Expert Committee Scientific Coordinator 

Jorge Coelho, (CEng., Ph.D.,), is a full professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Coimbra. His research interests include reversible deactivation radical polymerization, bio-based and biodegradable polymers, novel pharmaceutical products, scale-up and polymer characterization methods (especially dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and size exclusion chromatography). He has published 228 papers in international journals and is co-author of several international patents (WO2020089807; WO2019239266; WO2017130094A1; WO2014027910A1, EP2890747B1, US9603935B2, WO2021053529). He has (co-)supervised 20 PhD students (12 ongoing) and more than 50 MSc students. As a research leader, he has received around €9 million in research funding and has been involved in more than 25 projects. He is a member of the Board of the Portuguese Society of Materials and responsible for the Polymers and Composites Department of the same society. He is the national representative of EMPA – European Association for Preventive, Predictive and Personalised Medicine and the national representative of EPF – European Polymer Federation. He is vice-president of Instituto Pedro Nunes.

Bernard Merkx

Bernard Merkx
CEO/Owner GreenWavePlastics

Expert Committee Industry Coordinator 

Bernard Merkx is a Dutch social entrepreneur who held several senior management positions in the international plastics recycling and plastics converting industry for nearly 25 years, before starting his own advisory company, GreenWavePlastics in 2011.  

Bernard holds a degree in Business Administration (Polytechnics), is member of several international advisory committees and is co-author of several studies and booklets. 

Bernard is and has been Senior Advisor of Brussels based trade associations European Plastics Converters (EuPC) and Polymer Comply Europe (PCE) since many years. Next to that he is Managing Director of European trade association ESWA (European Single ply Waterproofing Association) and Secretary General of EuPC sector group PET Sheet Europe.  

Bernard is also among others CIO and Board of Directors Member of Plastix AS in Denmark, Honorary President of Plastics Recyclers Europe, co-founder of Waste Free Oceans Foundation and has a vast international network both in the public and private sector.  

He is Advisory Board member of the Portuguese Sustainable Plastics Project and Member of the Strategic Committee of the Roadmap Decarbonisation of the Plastics Industry 

Circularity has been a key driver throughout his career.  

His credo “Doing nothing is not an option”.  

Ana Cristina Carrola

Ana Cristina Carrola
Member of the Board of Directors at Portuguese Environment Agency

Member of the Expert Committee

Ana Cristina Carrola has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Higher Technical Institute of Lisbon in the area of Processes and Industry branch and a Post-Graduation in Water Quality and Pollution Control from the Civil Engineering Department of the Science and Technology Faculty of the University of Coimbra. 

She develops and monitors issues in the environmental area since 1994, when she started public service functions at the Water Institute. 

At APA she is responsible for the technical areas of Waste, Environmental Licensing, Environmental Reference Laboratory and its regional network and circular economy. 

Ana Oliveira

Ana Oliveira
Director of Quality and Food Safety 

Member of the Expert Committee

Accomplished professional with 15 years of experience in the food industry and logistics, demonstrated expertise in managing standards (ISO and GFSI), and innovation and development projects across national and international settings. Over the past 3 years, I have focused on sustainability, pursuing a PhD in sustainability sciences, with a background in ESG strategy, reporting, roadmap development, and emissions calculations. Recognized for strong leadership, strategic team guidance, and a collaborative, empathetic, and resilient approach. Dedicated to creating a positive impact in business and fostering continuous learning and development.

Carlos Bernardo

Carlos Bernardo
Emeritus Professor / Minho University

Member of the Expert Committee

Carlos Bernardo is an Emeritus Professor of the Polymer Engineering Department at Minho University, Portugal. Formerly, he was dean of the School of Engineering and Vice-Rector at that University. His research interests were the processing and characterisation of composites with polymeric matrices and glass and carbon fibres, the sustainable use of plastic materials, and environmental evaluation techniques such as Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing. He has authored more than 100 publications, including 70 plus articles in international refereed journals, and co-edited 5 books. 

Dâmaso Silva

Dâmaso Silva
PV and Sustainability Consultant

Member of the Expert Committee

Completed advanced studies on Renewable and Energy Efficiency at Univ. de Aveiro. Founded D2M-Energytransit in 2012 which made Floating Solar its core technology from the start. From 2014 till May 2023 represented Ciel et Terre International and was part of construction team of 3 Floating Solar plants operating – Alto Rabagão (EDP); Cegonha and Cuba-Este (EDIA). Since June 2023 it is representing ISIGENERE, Iberian leader of Floating Solar systems, supplying among others the highly awarded EDP’s 5 MWp Alqueva plant. AgroPV technology is another specialized field of his activity within Portuguese Market. 

Daniela Cordova

Daniela Cordova Pizarro
International Constant on Circular Economy

Member of the Expert Committee

Daniela holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences specializing in Circular Economy and a Master’s in Sustainable Development, with over 15 years of experience in plastics, manufacturing, oil, mining, tourism, and electronics. As an international consultant and project manager, she leads initiatives in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, advancing circular economy strategies, sustainable innovation, and waste management. Her expertise includes evaluating industrial processes for circularity, fostering eco-design innovation, and enhancing competitiveness. Daniela has collaborated with WBG, IDB, UNIDO, WEF, and CTCN on optimizing the plastics sector and developing circular economy roadmaps.

Elsa Agante

Elsa Agante
Team Leader of Energy and Sustainability at DECO PROteste

Member of the Expert Committee

Elsa Agante, PhD in Earth Sciences and Engineering from Imperial College London, has been working in the environmental sector since 2020. She is currently Team Leader of Energy and Sustainability at DECO PROteste, the largest consumer organization in Portugal and part of the Euroconsumers group. With a focus on consumers, Elsa is responsible for creating content, developing projects and co-operating with national and international stakeholders to promote more sustainable products and services. External representation and coordination of international sustainability projects are also her responsibility. 

Fausto Freire

Fausto Freire
Prof at Univ Coimbra & coordinator of the Center for Industrial Ecology

Member of the Expert Committee

Fausto Freire is Associate Professor at the Dep of Mechanical Eng., Univ of Coimbra (UC), focusing on developing and implementing life-cycle based approaches and Circular Economy systems to enhance the sustainability of products and systems. Faculty at the MIT-Portugal program and MIT visiting Scholar (2011-2012). Fulbright Scholar at the University of Michigan in 2008. Has studied and coordinated several projects on industrial, energy and transportation systems, including plastic products and packaging. Currently, is focused on ecodesign and implementation of Circular Economy systems, as well as extending LCA to include uncertainty, MCDA, optimization and economic aspects. Named to the Reuters Hot List of the world’s top climate scientists, which identify the 1000 most influential scientists. Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cleaner Environmental, Elsevier.

Fernando Leite

Fernando Leite
CEO at LIPOR

Member of the Expert Committee

Fernando Leite holds a degree in Economics from the University of Porto and a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Business Management from AESE Business School (Portugal). 

He has been the CEO of LIPOR since 1999, a Board Member of MAIAMBIENTE, the Municipal Environmental Company of Maia, a Board Member of Porto Energy Agency, a Member of the Board of AVALER (Association of Energy Recovery Entities for Municipal Solid Waste), a Board Member of GRACE, a Member of the Board of ACR+ (Association of Cities and Regions for Sustainable Resource Management), and the representative of AVALER at CEWEP (Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants). 

Joel Vasco

Joel Vasco
Associate Professor at the School of Technology and Management - Polytechnic Institute of Leiria and Research Member of the Institute for Polymers and Composites

Member of the Expert Committee

Joel Vasco holds a PhD in Science and Engineering of Polymers and Composites (2010) and a MSc in Mould Design and Manufacturing (2006), both degrees from the University of Minho, Portugal.  

He is, currently, the vice-director of the PhD in Direct Digital Manufacturing, in collaboration with University of Minho. He conducts research on polymer processing, subtractive/formative/ additive manufacturing processes and direct digital manufacturing.  Currently he is the Co-PI of “Sustainable Plastics”, coordinating WP5-Sustainable Products and Co-PI of “Smart Pack”, coordinating WP4- Recycling Technologies. 

Maria Callapez

Maria Callapez
Principal Investigador at CIUHST-FCUL

Member of the Expert Committee

Maria Elvira Callapez holds a Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science. She is PI of the project Metamorphoses of plasticsthe reality and multiple approaches to a material, at Centro Interuniversitário de História da Ciência e Tecnologia-Faculdade de CiÊncias, Universidade de Lisboa (CIUHCT-FCUL). She has been a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research interests and publications focus on the history of plastics, material culture studies, and environmental regulation.

Marisa Lameiras da Silva

Marisa Lameiras da Silva
Director General for Maritime Policy, Portugal

Member of the Expert Committee

Marisa is currently the Director General for Maritime Policy. In her daily work, Marisa drives innovation, preservation, and sustainable development of marine resources, promoting cooperation and collaboration. She has led environmental policies as Head of Strategy at the Portuguese Environmental Agency and adviser to the Ministers of Environment and the Sea, responsible for the coordination of the Action Plan for a Bioeconomy and also focusing on the Sustainable Ocean Economy and circular economy. With a background in Chemical Engineering and two MScs, she has expertise in policy, compliance, and strategic program management. Recently, she was appointed SDG 14 Ambassador of the SDG Alliance Portugal. 

Mercês Ferreira

Mercês Ferreira
Adviser of Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Environment

Member of the Expert Committee

Mercês Ferreira holds a degree in Environmental Engineering and an MPA. With extensive experience in public administration, she held leadership roles from 1996 to 2024 in environmental management and sustainable development. Since April 2024, she has served as Adviser of Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Environment. Her career includes roles at APA (Portuguese Environment Agency), Vila Nova de Gaia Municipality, and SULDOURO. She has lectured in higher education, coordinated environmental projects, and contributed actively to professional and social institutions. 

Paul Hodges

Paul Hodges
Chairman at New Normal Consulting

Member of the Expert Committee

Paul Hodges is a trusted adviser to major companies and the investment community, and has a proven track record of accurately identifying key trends in global marketplaces. He is chairman of New Normal Consulting and a Global Expert with the World Economic Forum. He is a regular speaker at international and industry conferences. Paul also serves as Advisory Board chairman for Infinity Recycling. Executive Chairman of  NiTech Solutions, and as Advisory Board member for the Buildings & Cities journal. Previously, Paul was an Executive Director of a $1bn global business with ICI. 

Sílvia Machado

Sílvia Machado
Executive Director for Sustainability | Portuguese Business Confederation (CIP)

Member of the Expert Committee

Graduated in Chemical Engineering, with training in LCA, Quality, Environment and Integrated Management Systems, and SME Management, she began her professional activity in 1996 as a researcher in the petrochemical sector at Repsol Quimica in Spain. 

Returning to Portugal, she collaborated with the National Environment Agency in the implementation of the Industry Environmental Adaptation Contracts, and in 2000 she began her activity as an Environment consultant. For 20 years, she worked with the National Association of Ceramic and Glass Industries, where, in addition to responsibility for environment and energy issues, she was also responsible for the Association participation in several European research projects. 

From 2020 to 2023, she was Senior Advisor at the Confederation of Portuguese Business (CIP) for Environment and Climate Policies, and since then she is the Executive Director of CIP for Sustainability. She represents CIP in Business Europe’s Industrial Affairs Committee and is a member of the Environment WG and the Energy and Climate WG. With extensive experience in regulatory issues, she follows closely European and national politics that impact Portuguese companies, intervening and defending the position of national businesses to enhance the importance of having a regulatory framework that considers companies’ competitiveness together with the protection of the environment. 

Victor Neto

Victor Neto
Associate Professor, University of Aveiro

Member of the Expert Committee

Victor Neto is a researcher and teacher developing work on Product Development, Manufacturing Technologies, and Eco-design. His research focus is on plastic-related metastrutures. His main professional activity is at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Aveiro (Portugal) and at the Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA). 

Victor Neto has a BSc degree in Physics Engineering (2001); MSc in Applied Physics (2004), a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2008), and a MSc in Management (2012). 

Bruno Pereira da Silva

Bruno Pereira da Silva
Head of Circular Economy and Environment at PIEP

Media Officer

Bruno Pereira da Silva is Head of Circular Economy and Environment at PIEP, the Innovation Center in Polymer Engineering of the University of Minho, where he develops research, development and innovation activities in the field of Circular Economy and Environment in partnership with national and international industry for different sectors of application, namely packaging, aeronautics, automotive, space, defense and energy. Participation in different platforms at national and international level, including his participation as a nominated member for the Circular Plastics Alliance of DG Grow of the European Commission, the Portuguese Plastics Pact, and ECP4, the European Composites, Plastics and Polymer Processing Platform. 

Bruno Pereira da Silva, is graduated in Polymer Engineering from the University of Minho, Specialization in Design and Manufacturing of Automotive Components by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, and attended Advanced Training, on the Project Management Course and the Advanced Management Programme, held at Porto Business School. Executive Programme in ESG Corporate and Non-Financial Reporting at ISEG, Executive Education in Economics and Management. PhD student in Waste Management and Treatment in the field of Circular Economy from the University of Minho. 

Cátia Morais

Cátia Morais
Communications Manager APIP & Operations Manager PSGE 

Host

Cátia Morais has a Master in Environmental Engineering – Environmental Management, from Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon, Portugal)  

Her professional career began at SGS – Sociedade Geral de Superintendência S.A., where she spent ten years as a Key Account Manager and later as a specialist in the Environment and Safety services. In this role, she was responsible for environmental and safety monitoring, inspections, and audits across various industries. As a Health and Safety Technician – Level VI, Cátia also has a background in Quality, Environmental, and Safety management systems.  

In APIP since 2021, Cátia Morais took on the role of Communications Manager of the Portuguese Plastics Industry Association (APIP), responsible for organizing and managing events, as well as implementing the association’s marketing and communication strategy. In the same year, Cátia assumes the position of Operations Manager for Plastics Summit – Global Event, ensuring, together with the APIP team, the organization and logistics of the event, as well as sponsorships and partnerships management.  

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