Manfred Mertens, head of the packaging business unit, Hydro Aluminium, has been elected president of the Global Foil Association. The trade body has 42 member companies, including five supporters, from foil producers worldwide.
“We are very proud to have created such a strong momentum with GLAFRI that it has led to the unanimous decision by participants to form an association,” said Mertens.
“It will enable us to build upon the outstanding work already done to support the aluminium foil sector and to make a strong and effective contribution to the sustainability debate.”
The objective of the association is to have ‘one voice’ on foil promotion and sustainability issues globally. Vice presidents are Simon Chan, executive director, Xiashun Holdings and Fabiano Urso, general sales manager, Votorantim Metais. Stefan Glimm, executive director, EAFA, was appointed director general.
The organization will carry out decisions and actions decided during GLAFRI conferences and allow other projects and ideas to be developed.
“Despite the continuing challenges in the market the outlook for foil with about 4% annual growth generally remains very positive and being able to speak with one voice on global promotional and environmental issues confronting the sector can only be a highly positive development,” added Glimm.