An important step towards the circular economy: after ten years of offering Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) consulting for WEEE and batteries, the largest European EPR network, PRONEXA (formerly weee EUROPE), is redefining its approach. Starting in 2025, PRONEXA will expand its services to include packaging management.
ECOTIC, the Extended Producer Responsibility system, has been a member of this network since its foundation and will offer its clients access to this service in 30 European countries. This expansion coincides with the reform of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
Every year, Europe generates five million tons of electronic and battery waste, along with millions of tons of packaging waste. It is not only about reducing waste and reintegrating valuable resources into the production cycle, but also about making Europe less dependent on raw material imports.
Producers will now be more accountable for packaging. The reform of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, approved by the EU Parliament and Council on December 16, 2024, represents a step forward in the transition to a circular economy and in waste prevention within the European Green Deal. These new regulations place greater emphasis on the entire value chain, requiring companies to reorganize their production processes to meet eco-design objectives, use recycled materials, and fulfill reporting obligations.
Sharing Knowledge and Leveraging Synergies
In this transformation process, Producer Responsibility Systems (SCRAP), such as ECOTIC, are key strategic partners for manufacturing companies. “Extended Producer Responsibility for electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, and packaging is gaining importance, but it is also becoming more complex for companies,” says Andreu Vilà, General Director of ECOTIC.
ECOTIC is one of the 19 leading European SCRAP that, in 2014, joined forces under the leadership of WEEE expert Christian Ludwig to form PRONEXA AG (formerly weee EUROPE AG). “We are pleased to be able to expand our offering with packaging solutions, providing an enhanced service beyond our national borders,” adds Vilà.
From weee EUROPE to PRONEXA
The original name, weee EUROPE, reflected the focus on electrical and electronic waste when it was founded in 2014. With the expansion into packaging and other strategic decisions planned for 2025, the partners have decided to adopt a new name: PRONEXA.
The term PRO refers to the Producer Responsibility Systems, while NEXA represents the network alliance of these SCRAP. Together, they constitute the largest European player in the management and recycling of electrical devices and batteries, offering comprehensive solutions and optimized processes with a strong local presence and deep market knowledge.
Facilitating Regulatory Compliance
“The greatest challenge for companies is practically implementing legal regulations, especially since they vary significantly from country to country,” notes Christian Ludwig, CEO of PRONEXA. “This is where we support manufacturers, online retailers, and importers involved in Extended Producer Responsibility.”
Local Expertise at a European Level
PRONEXA acts as an internal advisor for its collaborating SCRAP, handling the initial analysis, contract management, product allocation, and reporting through the centralized platform PRONEXA® Customer Data Management, which spans 30 European countries.
With a unique and unparalleled industrial ecosystem, PRONEXA manages over 100,000 collection points and recycles approximately two and a half million tons of WEEE per year, accounting for more than 50% of the total European volume.
“Thanks to PRONEXA and its network, we help companies ensure regulatory compliance and maintain a strong connection with Europe’s leading SCRAP,” concludes Vilà. “In this way, Spanish companies contribute to circular collection solutions for WEEE, batteries, and packaging.”
About PRONEXA
PRONEXA, formerly known as weee EUROPE, is the pan-European Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) organization that helps companies meet their EPR obligations under the EU Waste Framework Directive. Founded in 2014 as a joint venture of the main European Producer Responsibility Systems (SCRAP), it offers a centralized compliance management service at the European level based on local expertise from leading collection and recycling solutions.
PRONEXA is comprised of a network of 19 founding members and 37 partners that provide pan-European compliance in 30 European countries. The members are: UFH (AT), Recupel (BE), Sens and SWICO (CH), Asekol (CZ, SK, PL), Zentek (DE), Retur (DK), ECOTIC (ES), elker (FI), ecosystem (FR), WEEE Ireland (IE), Erion (IT), NORSIRK (NO), ECOTIC (RO), El Kretsen (SE) and REPIC (UK).
For more information about ECOTIC and its projects, visit https://www.ecotic.es/. or contact with comunicacion@ecotic.es
