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Plastic

PRS postponed after Brussels warning

By Edward Perchard | 23 November 2015 | Add a Comment

Plastics Recycling Show (PRS) Europe, a two-day conference for members of the plastics and recycling industries, has been postponed after an official warning put Brussels on the highest level of terror alert this weekend.

Organisers have yet to decide whether the event, which was due to take place on Wednesday and Thursday (25/26 November) at the Tour & Taxis Venue in the Belgian capital, will be rescheduled.

The show was cancelled after the Belgian government raised the threat alert in the region to level four – ‘serious and immediate threat’ – following investigations into the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.

Authorities in Belgium are hunting a man they believe was involved in the orchestration of the Paris attacks, and have arrested 16 people so far. The metro system in Brussels is still not running today (23 November), with other public transport limited, many shopping centres closed, and the weekend’s football fixtures, concerts and exhibitions cancelled.

In a statement, Crain Communications Ltd, organisers of the event, said: ‘Crain Communications Ltd takes its responsibilities extremely seriously and has a duty of care to its customers, staff, suppliers and colleagues and we will not in any way risk their safety and security. A decision will be made at a later date regarding when will be a suitable time for the event to take place.’

PRS aims to raise the profile of the plastics recycling industry while focusing on pressing issues within the sector. Exhibitors, including recycling organisations, packaging producers and brands from around Europe were due to attend the free exhibition.

Keynote speeches on the plastics recycling process and the circular economy were due to be given by Jason Ord, ‎Hewlett-Packard’s Director of Environmental Responsibility for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Antoon Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe and Chair of the LDPE (low-density polyethylene) Working Group.

You can see a full programme for PRS Europe here, and see the exhibition’s website for any further announcements on the event’s rescheduling.