Editor’s Note: On March 4, 2024, Cornelia Tietz took over as the new director of the European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA), as Martin Kanert stepped down as EuPIA’s executive manager, a role he held since 2006. Kanert will remain as managing director of German Paint and Printing Ink Association VdL. Tietz was the secretary general of ESIG, the European Solvents Industry Group and its sector association for the last seven years and brings with her nearly 20 years of experience in Brussels with different positions in Cefic and ReachCentrum. Tietz offers her thoughts on where EuPIA is heading and how the association benefits its members and the world we live in.


Ink World: What led you to join on with EuPIA?

Cornelia Tietz: My predecessor’s insistency and previous good work! EuPIA was a well known  name in the world of  trade associations I was working with before. Its Exclusion Policy is especially respected by suppliers and customers alike. The last push was the job interviews where I felt the true dedication from the CEOs to really work on sustainability issues related to packaging for instance, which made me want to be part of the game so to speak.


Ink World: You have had a noteworthy career with trade associations in the chemical sector; how will your experience with ESIG and Cefic allow you to further the growth of EuPIA?

Cornelia Tietz: My previous experience will hopefully first and above all help me to get a grip on the burning issues and upcoming challenges for the printing ink industry. I don’t know if this is about growing really. It is more about bringing my expertise to the printing ink industry, being actually closer to the businesses, the products and hence also society.


Ink World: I see where you were also with REACHCentrum; will that give you a head start into the regulatory side of inks?

Cornelia Tietz: For sure! REACH has been and still is the most complex regulation – although with the packaging and packaging waste regulation we will also face a very complex  oeuvres, but REACh remains an own discipline. I am really glad in a way to have this in my backpack!


Ink World: EuPIA recently updated its Exclusion policy. What can you tell us about the new policy?

Cornelia Tietz: EuPIA has just published the 7th version of its Exclusion policy (https://www.eupia.org/our-commitment/eupia-exclusion-policy-for-printing-inks-and-related-products/). Occupational Health & Safety has always been a principal topic for EuPIA  and its member companies. The Exclusion Policy was previously updated in March 2024 to take into account the new hazard class of “Endocrine Disruptors Category 1 for human health (EUH380)”. Now the 7th edition looks even further ahead with a new annex on substances with occupational concern when it comes to inhalation exposure & poorly soluble particles.


Ink World: What do you see as the most important issues facing the European ink industry?

Cornelia Tietz: Simplification of Regulatory Framework, which is linked to raw material supply and innovation potential; Circular Economy and Sustainable Products, with its focus on deinking and Design-4-Recycling criteria and sustainable packaging as such; and hopefully once a food contact material regulation across Europe occurs.


Ink World: Along those lines, what do you see as the most important benefits that EuPIA (and Cepe) brings to the ink industry?

Cornelia Tietz: To say it with Gerry & The Pacemakers, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’

EuPIA as a sector in CEPE offers a unique platform to its members to exchange best practices and delivering pioneering industry initiates like the Exclusion policy, which was put in place a long time before REACH to ensure workers’ health and safety.  We face challenges together and whenever it is needed, provide a common industry input.