Int'l recycling group confirms scrap metal exec as new president

Chiho Environmental

21/05/2019 08:34

SINGAPORE, May 21 (Reuters) - The Bureau of International
Recycling (BIR) on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Tom
Bird, the chief operating officer of Chinese scrap metal firm
Chiho Environmental Group  0976.HK , as its new president,
replacing Ranjit Baxi.
    The Briton, who was previously BIR treasurer, was formally
given an initial two-year mandate as president by members at the
BIR's annual general assembly in Singapore. He was recommended
for the post by the BIR nominating committee in February.
    He takes the helm as China tightens restrictions on imports
of scrap metal and other forms of solid waste, upending trade
flows and potentially leaving the world's biggest metals
consumer short of supply. Beijing has pledged to reduce solid
waste imports to zero by the end of 2020.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N22S2PA
    "In these challenging macroeconomic times... it's vital our
members are kept abreast of development and they have the
knowledge and confidence that BIR is at the forefront and
representing their interest," Bird said referring to the
U.S.-China trade war and market volatility in his address to the
general assembly.
    Bird, who was managing director of scrap giant Sims Metal
Management  SGM.AX  from 1995-2009, told Reuters on the
sidelines of the meeting he would continue in his role at Chiho
and serve as BIR president from Hong Kong.
    Baxi, the founder of London-based waste paper exporter J&H
Sales International, had been BIR president since 2015.
    The Brussels-based BIR, which represents the interests of
the recycling industry internationally, has over 760 member
companies.

 (Reporting by Mai Nguyen in SINGAPORE, writing by Tom Daly in
BEIJING; editing by Rashmi Aich)
 ((tom.daly@thomsonreuters.com; +86 10 6627 1023;))