A Front-Row Perspective on the Plastics Industry

Our series with Plastics Europe Deutschland continues with a perspective from someone who has been observing the chemical and plastics industries from a front-row seat for more than three decades.Michael Reubold is a polymer chemist by training — but instead of working directly in the plastics industry, he has spent more than 30 years observing, reporting on and engaging with it as Editor-in-Chief of CHEManager.That gives him a unique perspective on how the industry has changed, the challenges it faces today, and where it could go next.𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀:How the plastics industry — and the way we talk about it — has changed over the past three decadesWhy today’s combination of climate, waste, energy and competitiveness challenges makes this transformation differentHow innovation ecosystems connecting startups, academia and established industry can help Germany and Europe reinvent the sectorWhy circularity, material sovereignty and the right policy environment are becoming increasingly important for Europe’s industrial futureDespite the scale of the challenges, Michael remains optimistic. The knowledge, infrastructure and innovative capacity are there. The task now is to connect these strengths and create the conditions for the industry to reinvent itself.Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!