Robert-Jan Ter Morsche has been elected president of GIE La Boîte Boisson.

Robert-Jan ter Morsche, 49, director of regulatory affairs for Europe and energy transition at Ardagh Metal Packaging, has been appointed president of the Economic Interest Group (EIG) La Boîte Boisson. He succeeds Lluís Pitarch, head of public affairs and sustainability for Southern Europe at Ball Packaging Europe.

Serving the entire sector, GIE La Boîte Boisson represents the three main producers of beverage packaging in Europe, present on French territory: Ardagh Metal Packaging, Crown Bevcan Europe and Ball Packaging Europe.

The French can industry is a particularly dynamic sector. Indeed, to meet the demand of a booming market (+9.5% of sales in volumes between 2019 and 2021), nearly six billion cans were produced in France in 2021.

Robert-Jan ter Morsche commented: “For this new presidency that I am pleased to ensure for the next two years, my goal is first of all to continue the work undertaken by my predecessors for the continuous increase in the recycling rate of our packaging, which, with 73%, already makes the can the most recycled beverage packaging in the world!

“To do this, we must highlight the sustainable advantages of our packaging to brands and partners and make the general public increasingly aware of the sorting of the can at home and outside the home. And thus make the can a reference of the circular economy!

The other major challenge for our sector is to continue to innovate and develop our production capacities to support the strong growth of the market, current (+9.5% of sales in volumes in two years) and future. 4.8 billion cans are now sold per year in France, 80% of which come from our French factories.

“According to our estimates, more than 1 billion additional cans will be sold within 5 years (new markets: wines, waters, craft beers, hard seltzer…, plastic transfer…). Enough to continue to support employment in France! At 85 years old, the can is more relevant than ever.”