PlasticsEurope, the pan-European trade association representing European plastics manufacturers, has announced the appointment of Kim Michael Christiansen as North Regional Director. Kim has joined PlasticsEurope on 1st December 2012 and will succeed Jan-Erik Johansson, who has left the association by the end of 2012.

“I am very happy that Kim is taking over the lead in this region, which is of such great importance for the European plastics industry”, said Dr Wilfried Haensel, Executive Director, PlasticsEurope. “I am convinced that with his broad business experience he will set new impulses at PlasticsEurope.”

Kim added: “I am very excited about taking over this responsibility and facing the upcoming challenges for the plastics industry. Plastics have a great potential to help deal with crucial sustainability issues such as climate change, energy and resource efficiency. I am especially looking forward to continuing main initiatives in the North Region such as the Plastics 2020 Challenge on waste management in the UK or our educational programmes in Scandinavia."

Kim Christiansen is an educated business economist with more than 20 years of experience from government departments, EU-institutions and trade associations dealing with environmental affairs, consumer affairs, CSR and sustainability. Before joining PlasticsEurope he worked as a public affairs executive to promote the business climate for international companies and their globally branded consumer goods and business-to-business products and services. Kim is of Danish nationality, is married and with three daughters.