Hauser
January 2021 Spray 15
2021: Pandemic Recovery & Transition
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us throughout 2020.
However, the aerosol industry succeeded in protecting its workers
and surfing through it. The industry has also been able to help its local or
national communities. These are remarkable efforts.
Companies were and will be affected quite differently depending on
their geographic locations, their product portfolios and distribution channels,
as well as their place in the value chain. In early November 2020,
the European Commission forecasted that the European Union (EU)
economy will contract by 7.4% in 2020 before
recovering with growth of 4.1% in 2021 and 3%
in 2022; private consumption will follow the same
trends. It is likely that the European aerosol industry will be impacted
in a similar way, and even more due to a deeper impact in the personal care sector. However,
companies took the opportunity to develop their intangible assets, further promoting creativity
and innovation.
This pandemic will not fully disappear in 2021. Even if several COVID-19 vaccines are in
human trials and health professionals take them first, the acceptance rate of populations will be
a key success parameter. A global survey made in June 2020 showed differences in acceptance
rates that ranged from almost 90% (in China) to less than 55% (in Russia). Frightening news
programs and disinformation on social media continue to spread quicker than the COVID-19
pandemic itself. Real or perceived performance and safety of the vaccines will also be decisive.
However, 2021 will also be a recovery year—new hopes, new expectations, new needs, new
products. In the EU, this recovery will be linked to Green and digital transitions. These
transitions, which have already started, will probably take 2–3 decades. Companies will need
to embrace these transitions in order to contribute toward solving societal and environmental
challenges.
In the future, consumers will become empowered to support this Green transition by
purchasing sustainable products. They will receive more data than ever before on
products—not only on their composition or health impact—but also concerning their
environmental footprint.
Revision and implementation of the European chemicals policy from the European
Commission will lead to tougher safety assessments via the addition of a Mixture
Assessment Factor under EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorization & Restriction
of Chemicals (REACH).
Grouping during safety management will lead to more restrictions. Beyond safety
and performance, chemicals will also need to lower their environmental footprint.
Aerosol filling sites should all become carbon neutral. The metal industry will
also need to decarbonize, which will benefit the aerosol industry. Aerosol packaging
will need to become effectively recycled or composted, as well as utilize recycled
contents.
Cooperation with supply chains and new
coalitions is needed, but further interactions with
consumers, non-government organizations (NGOs)
and other authorities will also be needed to secure
no-regret investments and successful transitions.
We all love our habits, but we need to adapt.
Alain D’haese,
European Aerosol
Federation (FEA)
Secretary General
Urs Hauser, Senior Sales Manager at
Pamasol Willi Mäder AG, has been named
President of the European Aerosol Federation
(FEA). Hauser
previously represented
the Assoziation der
Schweizerischen
Aerosolindustrie (Switzerland)
in the FEA. He
succeeds Gilles Baudin,
a L’Oréal executive and
representative of the
Comité Français des
Aérosols (France), who held the position
for two years. Baudin will remain on the
FEA Board.
“I’m proud and honored to become the
new President of FEA,” said Hauser.
“We all have the same interest in high
safety and manufacturing standards, relationships
with authorities at eye level, the
promotion of aerosols and the growth of
our industry. We are also facing challenges
such as recycling, harmonization, volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), labeling and
inhalation issues, just to name a few. Yet,
I am convinced that FEA has the strength
and the knowledge to be a solid, long-term
partner with the UN, as well as European
and national authorities,” he added.
“Building on the work undertaken by
Gilles Baudin, who will remain on the FEA
Board, I will tirelessly continue in his footsteps
to represent our common interests,
defend our industry, monitor legislative
developments, connect with other trade
bodies and improve the image of the industry
and its products,” Hauser concluded.