After decades of rapid economic growth and industrialisation, China has become the world’s largest producer in absolute terms of food loss, waste, and single-use plastics, occurring across various stages of the production and consumption cycle. While the country’s vast population and large-scale food production contribute to this material waste, China’s food delivery industry, the largest in the world, is the biggest contributor. To address these issues and align with sustainability, carbon peaking, and emissions reduction goals, China has developed a regulatory framework promoting waste reduction and recycling. This has created strong demand for solutions that reduce environmental pollution, waste, and emissions while enhancing recycling efficiency, offering significant opportunities for European SMEs.
To account for these significant developments, the EU SME Centre has recently published a report, providing an overview of the market, its entry requirements and key opportunities for European SMEs. The sector is shaped by strict regulations, rising consumer awareness, and technological advances addressing food waste and single-use plastics. Opportunities include biodegradable materials, waste-to-energy solutions, and food-grade recycling, with domestic mid-sized private firms dominating the market alongside some foreign players.
On 26 February 2025, the EU SME Centre and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China are organising a workshop that will present the findings of the report and discuss the significance of the sector for European SMEs. The event will also be an opportunity for SMEs to gain a better understanding of how China’s regulatory landscape, standards, and certifications work.
The workshop will take place onsite in Beijing and online. Please note that seating is limited to 30 people at the venue. It is a free event open to all stakeholders of the EU SME Centre, including SMEs from all EU Member States and countries participating in the Single Market Programme.
Agenda (China Standard Time)
16:00–16:05
Opening remarks
16:05–16:20
Waste Reduction and Recycling in China’s F&B Sector: EU SME Centre Report Highlights Fabio Toniolo, Report contributor, Business Consultant – ESG, Food Services and Facilities
16:20–16:35
Case study from Piovan China Mike Niu, Key Account Manager, Piovan China
16:35–17:25
Panel discussion and Q&A Recycling Uses of rPET in Food Contact Applications in China Moderator: Jet Chang, National Chair, Environmental Working Group, European Chamber Vice-President, Public Affairs, TOMRA Group Asia
Panellists: Fabio Toniolo, Report contributor, Business Consultant – ESG, Food Services and Facilities Xiaobo Zhang, Vice Chair, Environmental Working Group, European Chamber, Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategy, Veolia China Xuanlei Zhang, Senior Vice-President, CARBIOS Chinese Region Mike Niu, Key Account Manager, Piovan China
17:25–17:30
Closing remarks
Speakers and panellists
Fabio Toniolo
Business Consultant – ESG, Food Services and Facilities
Fabio Toniolo is a business consultant helping multinational organisations to optimise their operations and improve profitability.
With a decade of experience in facility management and food service industry, Fabio has a track record of delivering impactful solutions to clients across various sectors while working for MNCs including Aramark Corporation and Compass Group.
Fabio holds a B.A. in International Relations from the Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy. With a special focus on sustainability and green management, he has been engaging in several research studies on various subjects with industry associations.
Jet Chang
National Chair, Environment Working Group, European Chamber; Vice President, Public Affairs, TOMRA Group Asia
Jet Chang currently serves as the National Chair of the Environment Working Group at the European Chamber and as the Vice President of Public Affairs for TOMRA Group Asia. Since joining TOMRA in October 2017, he has focused on policy advocacy and business development to facilitate the transition to a circular economy.
His extensive experience in the environmental sector includes roles with renowned organisations such as Haldor Topsoe China, Poten Environment, and Derun Environment, a collaboration between Suez and Chongqing Water Assets Management Co.
Additionally, Jet contributed to international relations as a Senior Commercial Officer at the Embassy of Denmark in China from 2004 to 2011. He holds dual master’s degrees from Northwestern Polytechnic University and Nanyang Technological University.
Zhang Xiaobo
Vice Chair of Environment Working Group, European Chamber; Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategy, Veolia China
Zhang Xiaobo joined Veolia in 2013 to be responsible for public relations affairs. He served as the Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategy of Veolia China since 2021.
Prior to his tenure at Veolia, he has worked in a state-owned construction enterprise after graduating in 2010 and has accumulated 10 years of experience in the environmental protection industry.
Xuanlei Zhang
Senior Vice-President, CARBIOS Chinese Region
Xuanlei Zhang has been leading the business development activity of French biotech company Carbios since 2023. With 25 years experience in international consulting companies, Ms. Zhang has built expertise in introducing European technologies & products to the Chinese market, helping international brands to conduct feasibility studies and market research, and identifying suitable Chinese partners.
Her clients include Top 500 companies such as Veolia Environment, Thales, JCDecaux, and Havas. Ms. Zhang has also contributed to Chinese SOEs winning project opportunities in Africa and South America.
Mike Niu
Key Account Manager, Piovan China
Mr. Niu entered the plastic industry in 2013 and has accumulated 12 years’ experience in the field of thermoplastic processing application, like PET preform and bottle, rigid packaging etc.
He joined Piovan China in 2021, working as key account manager, devoting his work to promote Piovan’s new technologies for processing recycled PET, PP, PE etc. He is also in charge of developing business relationship with OEMs, who provide processing or recycling equipment for food and beverage packaging.
He holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from Lanzhou University.
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