Written on: January 16, 2025 by SprayTM
Steel for Packaging Europe (SfPE) has appointed Richard Lézé, CMO of ArcelorMittal Packaging Europe, as the Association’s new President.
LEZE
Lézé was elected unanimously by the General Assembly and succeeds Luc Brantjes of Tata Steel. His role as the 14th President of SfPE is effective from January 1 and is in line with the biennial rotating presidency of the Association.
Said Lézé, “I would like to thank Luc Brantjes for his strong leadership during the past two years, which have included significant change across the political and regulatory landscapes as well as important developments within the Association itself, such as the appointments of Steve Claus as Secretary General, along with Metka Cavka Luciani and Anastasia Kelesiadou in EU Affairs.”
Looking at the months ahead, Lézé added, “The adoption of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has intensified the EU’s focus on industry competitiveness, in addition to highlighting the critical need to align growth with sustainability and innovation. Meanwhile, the forthcoming EU Circular Economy Act is set to unify circular economy policies and prioritize sustainable access to critical raw materials.”
The production of steel for packaging in the EU has a critical role to play in this and in achieving Member States’ circular economy goals, conserving resources and reducing emissions, Lézé noted, as well as upholding the highest standards of environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance in European manufacturing, as evidenced by the development of Chromium Free passivation Alternative (CFPA) for tinplate.
“My immediate priority in the coming months will be to ensure we continue to advocate for high-quality recycling and promote separate collection systems across Member States while working to ensure EU steel for packaging manufacturing remains competitive on the global market,” he commented.
Lézé brings 30 years of global experience in the steel industry to his new role as President of SfPE. He holds a master’s degree in business, and his expertise in Business Area Management has led to international assignments, including Morocco, Russia and the UK.
