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Annual General Meeting

Thursday, 4 September 2014

Vibe Savoy, Melbourne

Proudly sponsored by

Event program9:15 am Welcome and EPSA overview and industry Update

(EPSA Chairman Simon Pickett and Executive Director Becher Townshend)

9:45 am Introduction of new members

(EPSA Chairman)

9:55 am Nigel Ash: HBCD transition requirements and potential implications

10:25 am Graham Attwood: Recycling update

11:00am Morning tea (Pre-function lounge)

11:20am Annual General Meeting

12:30 pm Member Open forum – Questions from morning session.

1:00pm Lunch (Curve Restaurant)

RECONVENE FOR AFTERNOON FORUM AT 1.50 PM

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Event program1:50pm Welcome

(EPSA Chairman Simon Pickett)

1.55 pm Nigel Ash: HBCD overview

2:00pm Ken Rowley: New Zealand’s approach to HBCD and the EPS industry in general

2:30pm Graham Attwood: Recycling and EPS sustainability: looking to the future

2:40pm Phillip Molyneaux: NSW EPA’s Industrial Ecology Business Support Network program

3:10pm Amanda Jones: Recycling EPS as a council

3:45pm Afternoon Tea (Pre-function lounge)

4:00pm Jenny Pickles: The Victorian Government’s focus on waste and resource recovery

4:30pm: Question and answer session

6:30pm Canapés and drinks (Pre-function lounge)

7:00pm Dinner (Curve Restaurant)

EPS Flame Retardant Status

Stockholm decision to phase out use

of HBCDUpdate to EPSA Members by Nigel Ash – GM Expanz International

- Chairman of EPSA Raw Materials sub-section

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Why is HBCD under the spotlight?

• Through studies carried out in Europe & other

regions, HBCD Raw material has been

identified as a POP

• POP = Persistent Organic Pollutant

Stockholm Ruling

• At the 6th Stockholm covention, on May 10th

2013.

– HBCD is listed to Annex A, with specific

exemptions for production as allowed for parties

listed in the register of specific exemptions for use

in EPS and XPS in Buildings.

Chemical Activity Specific Exemption

HBCD Production As allowed for parties listed in the register in

accordance with provisions of part 7 of this Annex.

Use EPS & XPS in Buildings in accordance with the

provisions of part 7 of this Annex.

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Stockholm Ruling

• Part V11 in Annex A is to read:-

• “Each Party that has registered for the

exemption pursuant to article 4 for the

production and use of HBCD for expanded

polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in

Buildings shall take necessary measures to

ensure that EPS & XPS can be easily identified

by labelling or other means throughout its life-

cycle.”

Stockholm Ruling

• For EPS Industry- For countries Globally who automatically Ratify the Stockholm convention recommendations.

1. EPS industry must transition away from HBCD before the end of 2014.

a) There is an Exemption that countries may seek for EPS use in Building applications.

I. This allows for a 5 year phase out transition from HBCD

II. During the exemption period the use of HBCD in Building applications has to be clearly identifiable and traceable.

b) Recycling of EPS containing HBCD is to be banned

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Implications to Australian EPS Industry

• The ratification process has no definitive time-line requirements.

• Through PACIA, EPSA and the interests of IPCA, the industry is represented in Canberra at the Department of Environment.

• EPSA sub-committee is:-• Nigel Ash – Expanz (Raw Materials)

• Russell Bielenberg – Foamex (Block Moulder & Pods)

• Peter Brooker – Rmax (Block)

Australia’s ratification process for

Stockholm Treaty• Develop Evidence based on HBCD for RIS (Regulatory Impact Statement)

• Stakeholder consultation in relation to developing a draft RIS

• Meeting of Stockholm reference group to inform of ratification decision.

• Both RIS and NIA (National Interest Analysis) are finalised

• Ratification decision is considered by JSCOT once papers to undertake treaty action are tabled in Parliament. (Joint Standing Committee on Treaties)

• Convention ratification is lodged with Stockholm– Requests for exemptions would be tabled.

– At this point in time labelling requirements on product containing HBCD would commence

– Most likely any recycling implications would commence

• From this date the 5yr exemption clock would start, along with its implications to industry.

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Ratification process status – Sept 2014

• Dept of Environment appointed Allen’s Consulting

to undertake Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)

• Started May 2014

• Target completion date – prior to Nov 2014.

• RIS can commence once CBA is complete

• Likely Ratification date is 2016

Implications to the EPS Industry• For moulders – Use & internal re-use:-

• Prior to Ratification – NIL

• Post ratification

• If Exemption is sought – HBCD foam to be identified

• If no Exemption - NIL

• HBCD exemption is for Building applications.

• Production of foam with HBCD after the exemption date has to be Identifed.

• Our suggestion is to use dates as the basis of identification.

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Implications to the EPS Industry

• Product Certification using new FR

• As Industry or as Moulders?

• Testing of material against AS1366.3

• Testing against AS1530.3

• Testing against AS4859.1

• AS9705 Full scale room test?

• Define the full test suite – Committee by Nov 2014

• Establish Testing timeline.

• Need all moulders to be members & support

Potential implications to the EPS Industry• There are potential implications to sections of the

local industry.• Imported goods compliance – E&E packaging

• Imported building products such as panel, or pre-fab housing/ construction huts?

• Exports to Europe or working with European customers. Certain products may require transition early to satisfy country of destination requirements – obligations with manufacturers and their customers.

• Recycling and Waste Management.– Australian export of densified FR grade EPS is OK till

we ratify or countries that we export to ratify.

– After this, waste containing HBCD has to be incinerated or landfill.

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Transition working Committee

• EPSA/PACIA/IPCA will work with Dept of Environment.

• EPSA will be represented by

– Nigel Ash ( Chairman of EPSA Raw Materials section)

• In conjunction with a sub-committee :-

– Peter Brooker – Rmax

– Russell Bielenberg – Foamex

• PACIA - Ben Stapley, Director Govt Affairs.

• IPCA – Ron Lawson, CEO

Transition timelines for the local

industry• Key Points for consideration by Dept of Environment

For their Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA):-1. Availability of HBCD alternatives

2. Ratification and Transition process of• China

• Taiwan

• South Korea

3. Domestic compliance testing of alternatives against AS1366.3, AS1530.3 & Other standards.

4. Identification of HBCD and non HBCD material.

5. Recycling and waste management

6. Compliance Auditing

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HBCD alternatives and their availability

• There are 2 primary options:-

– Dow’s patented ‘Polymeric FR’

– TBBPA – nominally 2 variants

• It is expected that Dow’s ‘Poly FR’ will become

the material of choice for HBCD replacement.

– Efficient flame retardant

– Toxicity & bio-accumulative risks are low.

Transition Planning Globally

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“Poly FR” availability

• It has been licensed to 3 licensees:-

– Chemtura - Great lakes . Emerald 3000, Producing

at 10,000TPA rate as of April 2013

– ICL . FR122P. Completed Pilot scale late 2012 –

2,500TPA in Netherlands. Israel capacity of

10,000TPA to be achieved in H2, 2014.

– Albemarle in USA. Commercial testing in H2, 2013.

If successful, will have name plate capacity of

10,000TPA within 24 months.

“Poly FR” availability

• ICL and Albemarle have just announced

cooperative marketing venture utilising the

facilities of ICL for production.

• If approved via regulatory bodies, this will come

into effect in early 2015.

• Does this mean that Albemarles facility in

Orangeburg, USA is now postponed/cancelled?

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Transition discussions with Dept

Environment• There have been two meetings in Melbourne

in 2014.

• Introduction meeting with Allens Consulting – CBA

• Follow-up to show how EPS is processed and

recycled

• Key Items discussed

• Use of non-FR in construction

• Product identification for HBCD

• Testing of ‘new’ material

• Recycling

Transition Planning Globally• Transition plans for China, Taiwan

• Remain unknown

• Japan• May 2014

• Sth Korea• Likely to take the exemption

• Europe and countries with Automatic ratification.

• By Nov this year

• EU requirements under REACH is phase out of HBCD by Aug 2015

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Transition Planning Globally

• Transition plans for Canada• Targeting transition by end of 2015

• USA• Summary Report on Options

• Transition timing uncertain, but industry has started.

• Report on FR options and alternatives to FR grade EPS

• http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/hbcd/hbcd-full-

report-508.pdf

Risk management to EPS industry• Recycling of EPS.

• Prior to Ratification

• Internal re-use – Allowed

• Export of packaging grade and construction foam – OK to countries that haven’t ratified (China OK)

• Post Ratification and prior to transition

• Internal Re-use is still ok for all grades

• Export of packaging grade – Approved

• Export of Construction waste containing HBCD -BANNED

• Post Transition

• As above, except that export of New Flame retardant waste should be OK to all countries.

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Risk management to EPS industry• Post Ratification identification of HBCD.

• Identify HBCD by date, rather than colour

• Will this be accepted?

• Transition Process• Exemption or No Exemption?

• China/Taiwan/Sth Korea make non-HBCD available

• Product Performance Testing

• Level Playing Field - Locally

• Compliance • Imports of raw material - audits

• NICNAS

• Imports of product – Panel, packaging etc

Risk management to EPS industry

• NICNAS approval for Emerald 3000.• Done

• NICNAS approval of GreenCrest (Albemarle) & FR122P

(ICL) has not happened, but should be under the same

CAS Number.

• NICNAS approval of Alternatives• Liability on Importer and Buyer to comply

• Subject to testing required, costs in $10k’s to $100k’s

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Key Point Summary• Nov 2014 – Countries who automatically ratify

• Aug 2015 – HBCD banned in Europe (REACH)

• 2014 to 2016 – Aust Ratification process

• When ratified

• Take Exemption or Switch

• 2014/2015 Testing Program to be established

• Set dates

• Start testing as Non HBCD becomes available

Key Point Summary• 2014 to 2016 Monitor China/Taiwan/Korea

transition plans.

• Potentially China to happen with minimal notice

• Timing will vary between countries

• Testing timeline will need to be flexible

• Manufacturer Transition Timing may vary within a

country.

• Level playing field is what we want

• How?

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EPSA Meeting

4 September 2014

EPS Recycling 2014

UpdateGraham Attwood

Scope of Work

1. Research, analyse and evaluate the current “State of the Nation” for EPS Recycling

2. Summarize in broad brush terms who is doing what across the Eastern Seaboard

3. Investigate and determine the collection protocols in place

4. Confirm the EPS recycling / collection initiatives

5. Engage key stakeholders and operators to validate information

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Key Stakeholdersincluding but not limited to :

Moulders

Raw Materials Suppliers

EPSA members

Recycling Operators

MWMG

Sustainability Victoria

NSW EPA

Australian Packaging Covenant

PACIA

Equipment Suppliers

Metropolitan and Regional councils

Retailers eg. Harvey Norman / Good Guys

Others stakeholders ?

Key Findings and Update

• All parties are struggling with a sustainable ( at least cost neutral ) concept

Still the case ! Recyclers chasing supply volume to try and address

economics

• EPSA is well known to small membership, but will need to work hard if it is to build its credibility and presence with external stakeholders and decision makers.

Significant in-roads in some sectors – seen as a “valuable partner” but

further focus required to support and influence

• Logistics seen to be critical to ongoing financial project sustainability

Still THE most critical issue – not resolved; multiple practices

• The EPSA “business model” ( member operations ) and best practice is viewed as very interesting and having significant value-adding potential

Elements of “going it alone” still the overriding thinking

Significant concern around “sharing” experience amongst a competitive

recycling sector.

• There is still an extremely poor perception of EPS ( littering, impact on landfill, a nuisance )

No change !

• Economic / political drivers are different from state to state

No change !

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Key Findings and Update

• Councils very reluctant to provide funding to subsidise collection / processing

Funding criteria has tightened ; local resource officers have moved on

• Technology not well understood

Expand this to the economic drivers

• 3rd parties have been caught with ”empty promises” from equipment suppliers with little support

Further examples of dilution of the financial viability of stand alone operations

once commitments have been made

• The concept of operational efficiency is not high on the agenda

Key players very clearly understand the need for efficiency but there’s no silver

bullet !

• Moulders “doing it for themselves”

Examples of moulders working with recyclers to cross benefit both

• Websites and sources of information are very inconsistent and not cross linked

A real need and desire to use this media as the “go to” service for broader

stakeholders

• There is no 1 stop shop for EPS recycling

Still the case – but strong interest in moving towards a collaborative approach

• There is little co-ordination and optimisation

Significant development of relationships - needs further enhancement to achieve

step-change

Current Arrangements - Moulders

• All have internal factory recycling

• Varying technologies

• Varying suppliers

• Significant +ve and –ve experience technical & commercial

• Similar protocols for external client collection / recycling – primarily

“by arrangement” used as commercial support for primary sales to

specific customers

• Do not have an “open door” drop off policy generally

• Tend not to charge directly for drop off

• Several economic drivers :

-substitute for virgin raw material eg. Pods – cost saving

-minimise waste disposal costs – landfill volume

-claw back manufacturing costs – sell export compacted / melted recyclate

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Current Arrangements – EPSA Recyclers

• All have different operating models

• Different strengths / weaknesses

• Questionable economic sustainability – but they’re still here !

• Varying technologies

• Supply base from differing sources ( markets, retail, manufacturing )

• Very different perspectives on marketing; largely independent with limited visible links into EPSA.

• Outdated view of EPSA / REPSA – low level of understanding and engagement from some; High level of professionalism and growth appetite from one

• Relatively low level of efficiency drive

• Charging for drop off concept is now gaining momentum

• Concern about

- EPSA support and competition (NSW)

- EPSA support (Qld)

- Epping market transition (Vic )

Current Headline Issues

• NSW EPA / APC - EPS Recovery / Recycling Project

• VIC MWMG – EPS Collection Project

• APC 2014 Funding

• Private Business Recyclers – On-going efficiency challenges

• Metro and Regional Councils have an increasing need re: EPS

• Sustainability Victoria – Strategic Planning

• Epping Markets

• Victoria EPS Recycling Awareness Workshops

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Future Direction

• Communicate and Support Best Practice amongst stakeholders

• Influence decision-makers re: best value for the dollar

• Consolidation : collection upstream and economies of scale ( selling )

downstream

• Encourage re-use of recyclate domestically where opportunity exists

• Collaboration ( EPSA, Recyclers, Gov’t, APC )

• Collate case study information : data-driven backing up the important

and interesting story

• Close the gap of understanding re: EPS / Volume / Landfill challenges

Annual General Meeting

Agenda

1. Welcome and Apologies

2. Declaration of Conflicts – Competition law checklist

3. Confirmation of the Minutes from the 2013 Annual General Meeting

4. President’s Report – Simon Pickett

5. Treasurer’s Report – Russell Bielenberg

6. Sector Reports

7. Election of Office Bearers

8. General Business

• FR Pods moving forward

• Pod videos

• Asper Box

9. Conclusion

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Annual General MeetingElection of Office Bearers

The EPSA Rules of Association address the term of office at 5.4 (a) for Representative Board Members and at 5.4 (b) for Independent Board Members. Under

these clauses, Board Members:

“shall not serve as a Board Member for more than 2 consecutive terms, however this provision shall not apply if, at a Board meeting held within 3 months

prior to an AGM, not less than 3 Board Members vote in favour of a resolution allowing a Board Member whose second consecutive term will expire at the

forthcoming AGM to stand for a third consecutive term and such decision is ratified by an Ordinary Resolution at the AGM.”

At the 31 July, 2014 Board Meeting the following motions were unanimously endorsed by the Board:

“The Board of EPSA endorses Representative Board Members Nigel Ash and Russell Bielenberg for an additional term. This Board decision must be ratified by

ordinary resolution of the membership at the 4 September 2014 Annual General Meeting.” Moved: Margaret Donnan, Seconded: Graham Attwood.

“This Annual General Meeting endorses Representative Board Members Nigel Ash, Simon Pickett and Russell Bielenberg for an additional two-year term

as Directors of EPSA”.

Ordinary Resolution – M Donnan appointment as Independent Director (clause 5.4 b).

“This Annual General Meeting ratifies the appointment of Margaret Donnan as Indepenent Director for a two year term” (as per clause 5.4b)

Ordinary Resolution – S Pickett appointment as Independent Director (clause 5.4 b).

“This Annual General Meeting ratifies the appointment of Simon Pickett as Indepenent Director for a two year term” (as per clause 5.4b)

Ordinary Resolution – B Madden appointment as Independent Director (clause 5.4 b)

“This Annual General Meeting ratifies the appointment of Bernie Madden as Independent Director for a two year term” (as per clause 5.4b)