The head of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, Carol Hochu, is stepping down March 18 as that group prepares to become a unit of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.
CPIA made the announcement of Hochu's departure in a March 9 communication to members, and said a search is underway for a new head of what will become the plastics division within Ottawa-based CIAC.
Hochu had served as president and CEO of CPIA since January 2012.
"On behalf of the CPIA, the board expresses its thanks to Carol for her leadership and contributions to CPIA and we wish her success and much happiness in her future endeavours," CPIA board chair Joel Rudolph wrote.
Former CPIA board member Jon Pyper will serve as the association's interim transition leader until the expected July 1 merger date, according to Rudolph, who is also vice president of strategy and business development for Farnell Packaging Ltd. in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
The two associations said CPIA is merging with CIAC to help the plastics industry deal with environmental pressures and government legislation.
Rudolph said it will create a "stronger, clearer and more unified voice for plastics."
"This is an important time for our association with pressures coming at us from many directions, and unity is critical for us as we move forward toward our sustainability goals and work closely with governments at all levels to ensure our industry is understood and valued," he said.
Rudolph also said the group plans changes to its board of directors as it transitions to becoming the new CIAC plastics division. Plans are being developed to fill roles on a new Plastics Leadership Council and other groups, he said.
In late February, the two groups formally announced that CPIA would become part of CIAC. They first disclosed the discussions in late 2019.