Panel discussion “Decarbonizing Industry – The Plastics Commitment” highlights structural projects for carbon neutrality
APIP – Associação Portuguesa da Indústria de Plásticos (Portuguese Plastics Industry Association) was present yesterday at the Portugal Pavilion at COP30 Brazil, in Belém do Pará, where it promoted the panel “Decarbonizing Industry – The Plastics Commitment”, reinforcing the strategic role of industry in global climate action.
The debate was moderated by Cátia Morais, Communication Manager at APIP, and brought together leading experts to discuss initiatives that are shaping the sustainable future of the sector.
1. Roadmap for the Decarbonization of the Plastics Industry (RDIP)
Presented as one of the most relevant tools for the sector’s climate transition, the RDIP – promoted by APIP with technical support from EY – sets clear priorities for reducing emissions, empowering SMEs, and aligning Portuguese industry with European carbon neutrality goals.
Norma Franco (EY Partner, Climate Change & Sustainability Services) and Jorge Cristino (Get2C Partner and Coordinator of the RDIP Advisory Board Strategic Committee) highlighted:
- the importance of a collaborative approach throughout the value chain;
- the contribution of RDIP to creating real, measurable, and results-oriented solutions;
- the need for coordination between the sector and European policies and the strengthening of Portugal’s role in the international context of carbon neutrality.
2. Sustainable Plastics Mobilizing Agenda
The panel also discussed the Sustainable Plastics Mobilizing Agenda, presented by Nuno Aguiar, a project involving 49 entities, led by Logoplaste Innovation Lab and co-financed by the PRR.
This agenda – launched on the initiative of APIP – is already showing concrete impacts, namely in:
- innovation and development of new materials;
- energy efficiency:
- more sustainable industrial processes;
- and strengthening the sector’s competitiveness.
Jardel Saraiva, CEO of Globoplast Ind. e Com. Plásticos Ltda, brought the Brazilian perspective, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for the industry in Brazil and emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in creating joint solutions for carbon neutrality.
3. Plastics Summit – Global Event 2025 & Position Statement
The third initiative highlighted was the Plastics Summit – Global Event 2025, presented by Pedro Paes do Amaral, Executive Vice President of APIP and Executive Director of the event, which brought together more than 1,250 participants from around the world in Lisbon.
Pedro Paes do Amaral highlighted the main conclusions of the meeting and the challenges facing the sector, reinforcing the need to balance:
- the environmental requirements of the European Union;
- with the global competitiveness of companies in the sector.
Nuno Aguiar also presented the conclusions of the Position Statement, a document resulting from the Plastics Summit – Global Event 2025, highlighting its contribution to accelerating carbon neutrality, promoting circularity, and supporting public policies and global initiatives in the area of plastics.
Watch the full debate:
APIP would like to extend its special thanks to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, all the speakers present, and the audience who attended this important moment of international dialogue on climate action and the sustainable future of the plastics industry.
