Adams takes on second key e-scrap role

Julie-Ann Adams, of Really Green Credentials, will succeed Alain Vassart as secretary general of the European Battery Recycling Association (EBRA) when he retires at the end of 2023.

The appointment was confirmed by a vote of EBRA members at their annual meeting in Brussels.

Adams has also been ceo of the European Electronics Recyclers Association (EERA) since January 2022, and is credited with the necessary skills, experience, and capacity to take on the two roles concurrently. A press release making the announcement speaks of ‘many synergies between the two closely aligned organisations’.

Adams has more than 20 years’ experience in the waste management and local government sector and was a key contributor in the development and implementation of the WEEE and Battery and Accumulator regulations in the UK. She is acknowledged as a leading technical adviser on producer responsibility regulations and standards and in the general treatment and recycling technology and waste management arena.

She says she is excited to join EBRA for challenging times ahead including the new Battery Regulations, and complimentary legislation and EU objectives in waste shipments, CRMs, POPs, and the circular economy.

Commenting on the outgoing secretary general, EBRA chairman Johan van Peperzeel said ‘Alain has worked extremely diligently for the EBRA board since 2010, and having represented a member (Erachem Comilog) since 2002. His detailed knowledge and experience of the battery industry across Europe is second to none, and all of the members over the years would like to thank him for all his hard work.’

Meanwhile, EERA has unanimously re-elected Kurt Kyck as president for a further three-year term. Md of Ireland’s leading e-waste and metals recycling facility, KMK Metals Recycling, Kurt was first elected president in 2019, having joined EERA in 2008 and served on the board since 2013. 

‘My focus since becoming president of EERA has been on the importance of achieving a level playing field for all European WEEE recyclers and producers,’ he says. ‘A harmonised, legally binding standard for the collection and treatment of WEEE throughout Europe is the goal we have set ourselves.’

‘In my second tenure, […] I shall work closely with my board and members to follow the process of renewing the WEEE Directive across Europe in 2024 and hopefully producing a WEEE Regulation that will be implemented equally throughout all member states.’