SCAPET conference to focus on circular plastics, PCR supply and EPR policy

By AI, Created 4:47 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Industry leaders will gather in Buenos Aires on 27-28 May 2026 for the 11th SCAPET conference, where regulators, recyclers, brand owners and investors will debate recycled content targets, extended producer responsibility and the supply gap for post-consumer recycled plastics across South and Central America. Brazil’s 2026 packaging rules and regional infrastructure challenges are expected to drive much of the discussion.

Why it matters: - South and Central America are facing faster-moving packaging rules, tighter recycled-content expectations and broader extended producer responsibility requirements. - The conference comes as PCR supply remains uneven, collection systems vary widely and companies are under pressure to turn sustainability goals into commercially viable packaging changes. - Brazil’s new packaging legislation, taking effect in January 2026, raises the stakes by targeting 22% recycled content and a 32% recovery rate.

What happened: - Centre for Management Technology will host the 11th SCAPET Series – Circular Plastics Packaging South & Central America on 27-28 May 2026 in Buenos Aires. - Alpek Polyester is the Gold & Networking Reception Sponsor, and EREMA is an Associate Sponsor. - The event will take place at the Pestana Buenos Aires City Center & Spa Hotel. - The program is built around senior decision makers from plastics packaging, recycling, brand owner and investment groups. - More information is available here.

The details: - The agenda opens with a regional macroeconomic review led by Federico Di Yenno, Economic Analysis Manager for Deloitte Argentina’s Southern Cone Region. - Di Yenno will cover inflation, interest rates, foreign exchange trends, tariff changes, energy prices and shifting trade flows, with an eye on manufacturing competitiveness and investment planning. - Taís Sozo Marcon Bett of MaxiQuim Chemical Business & Intelligence will discuss Latin American circular plastics market demand, pricing and policy, with focus on Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. - Agustina Sitler of Unilever de Argentina will present a procurement view on securing PCR volumes, managing price swings and building more resilient supply chains. - A panel will bring together Nicolas Pell Richards of Reciclar S.A., Jose Luis Picone of CAIRPLAS, Ivan Marco of Dow, Nataly Acosta of Circulate Capital and Luciane Cohem of Reckitt. - That discussion will focus on costs and returns across the value chain, integrating informal collection into traceable supply streams and making EPR work through closer industry-government cooperation. - Innes Magneres of Alpek Polyester Argentina will address local PET and rPET production under pressure from oversupply, import competition and uneven regulation. - The program will also examine Argentina’s position as the only South American country without mandatory rPET content requirements and the effect on recycling economics and investment viability. - Gaston Ezequiel Dominguez of Mastellone Hnos. and Mauricio Turcato of Amcor will discuss dairy packaging strategy, including recyclability, recycled content, product protection, lightweighting and food safety. - Alvaro Queijo of Envases Mercosur and Jimena Gasparini Olasaguirre of Ecopet will examine efforts to scale food-grade rPET in Uruguay, including collection and washing infrastructure, decontamination technology, regulatory approvals and offtake agreements. - Ederson Sotini of Erema Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen will contribute on bottle applications, alongside further discussion from Amcor on packaging design and innovation in the Mercosur region. - Day two will focus on circularity in flexible packaging, PCR adoption and alternative materials. - Nataly Barros of Royal Canin, Mars is listed for a presentation topic to be advised. - Victor Vildosola Saavedra of Winpack will present on consumer and retailer expectations for flexible packaging. - A panel will ask whether flexible packaging can be truly circular in South America. - Luciane Cohem of Reckitt will present on scaling PCR use and reducing plastics waste in home care packaging. - Veruska Causo Rigolin of Futamura and president of the Brazilian Association of Biodegradable and Compostable Polymers will lead a session on compostable films and the regulatory outlook for alternative materials. - The event is expected to draw brand owners, FMCG manufacturers, packaging converters, resin producers, recycling firms, technology providers, waste operators, financial investors, consultants and association representatives. - Networking sessions will run throughout the program, including a first-day reception sponsored by Alpek Polyester.

Between the lines: - The agenda shows how regulation is becoming a market force in Latin America, not just a compliance issue. - The repeated focus on PCR quality, traceability and offtake agreements suggests the supply challenge is now as important as policy targets. - Argentina’s lack of mandatory rPET content stands out as a structural barrier for domestic investment compared with nearby markets. - The inclusion of brands, recyclers, investors and policymakers points to a push for practical deal-making, not just discussion.

What’s next: - Delegates will meet in Buenos Aires on 27-28 May 2026 for two days of presentations and panels. - Organizers are positioning the conference as a venue for building partnerships around collection, recycling infrastructure, packaging redesign and EPR implementation. - The outcome to watch is whether the event helps align regional policy demands with investable supply-chain solutions.

The bottom line: - SCAPET is set up as a working forum for the region’s biggest circular packaging problem: policy is moving faster than PCR supply and collection systems.