The Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants (Cewep) paid tribute last week to its founding president, Ferdinand Kleppmann, who passed away on 1 June at the age of 74.
When he retired in 2017, Mr Kleppmann had served as Cewep's president for more than 15 years, playing a key role in shaping the European waste-to-energy sector. As a driving force behind the founding of the umbrella association, he was an "early believer that the waste-to-energy sector needed to unite at the European level and become a reliable source of accurate information and a point of contact for EU institutions and stakeholders", according to Cewep managing director Ella Stengler. Under his leadership, Cewep became a recognised voice in European waste policy. According to the organisation, it now represents more than 80 per cent of the European waste-to-energy (wte) market.
Current Cewep president Paul De Bruycker praised the "vision and integrity" Mr Kleppmann brought to his role, adding that he "united the wte sector at a critical time" and that his legacy would extend beyond the structures he built.
"His work was driven by a steadfast commitment to responsible waste management and sustainability, sparked by being a witness to the environmental challenges posed by landfills in his home town Würzburg," said Cewep in its tribute. Ferdinand Kleppmann would also be remembered fondly for his warmth, humour, and zest for life as well as for his appreciation for good food, wine, and meaningful conversations, said the trade organisation.
Mr Kleppmann also played a leading role in the founding of Germany’s association of thermal waste treatment plant operators (ITAD) in 1999, which he went on to chair until 2015. In addition, he served as managing director of the inter-municipal waste management authority for the Würzburg region (ZVAWS) for 24 years, stepping down in 2013.
