Oerlemans Packaging launches new name OPACKGROUP

The Oerlemans Packaging Group is leading the way in making the packaging economy more sustainable under a new name. During the conference 'Verduurzamen doen we Samen' (Making it sustainable is something we do together), the group of seven packaging producers launched the new name OPACKGROUP. With the presentation of the IMPACT vision, a concrete plan was presented to the more than 500-headed audience in Theater aan de Noordkade. CEO Joan Hanegraaf bade farewell after 20 years of managerial responsibility in various industry organisations, giving him more space to guide the fast-growing company in its transition to a circular packaging producer.

Sustainability director Rob Verhagen is taking Hanegraaf's vision with him by succeeding him in the board position of chairman at NRK Packaging and StiMO. "When we talk about sustainability - we mean IMPACT: with focus on: Innovation, Employees, Partners, Ambassadorship, Climate impact and Transparency." Meteorologist Helga van Leur likes a pragmatic approach: "Doing business is figuring out with ups and downs how you can contribute to a better world." Director of CSR Netherlands Maria van der Heijden is following the development at the packaging producer with interest. "Making it sustainable is difficult for many companies: be brave in your discomfort and use your influence as a leader."

Good ancestors

Sometimes the delusion of the day and the issues of the moment need to be transcended with a larger thought. Philosopher Daan Rovers has a quirky take on sustainability: the question 'How do I become a good ancestor' is central to her story - a creative angle, which gives food for thought. It is a contrast to OPACKGROUP partner and supplier DOW. Marco ten Bruggencate, also involved as president of trade association Plastics Europe, looks at sustainability more from the industry's perspective in a world where resource use as well as decarbonisation is essential. "The scale and complexity of the upcoming transition is huge, but: you can do more than you think"

Officer Orange-Nassau

In the presence of wife Rita Hanegraaf, Joan Hanegraaf received the decoration Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau from Mayor Kees van Rooij (Municipality of Meijerijstad).

This afternoon, the theatre also found inspiration in the approach of Hans Tanger, the managing director of the OPACKGROUP who has been responsible for the process approach since his arrival in 2020. "We steer by IMPACT. We are taking responsibility for our industry and society as a whole, even if it takes more and more time and energy." In short: a nice momentum in Veghel, where the entire chain has come together to make substantive strokes on making packaging more sustainable. Extra festive makes the golden lining of the 50th anniversary of subsidiary Oerlemans Plastics, where the story of growing and developing sustainably began in 1972. At the end of the official programme, Hanegraaf was promoted to Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau by Mayor Van Rooij of Meijerijstad municipality for his (inter-) national industry work. The theatre thus became the setting for parties from the entire chain to come together; a physical example of sustainability together.

Oerlemanspackaging.nl