The Global EPS Sustainability Alliance (GESA) is an organization that was brought together to represent the expanded polystyrene industry on an international level. For more information, download our 2024 Media Kit, which contains information on EPS, our members, our press releases and more.
GESA Spokespersons
Betsy Bowers serves as the Executive Director of the EPS Industry Alliance (EPS-IA), the leading North American trade association for the expanded polystyrene (EPS) industry. With a background as Director of Environmental Affairs for the Polystyrene Packaging Council, she has extensive experience in EPS life cycle analysis, toxicity evaluations, and recycling infrastructure development.
Ms. Bowers’ leadership has extended globally, representing EPS-IA in 33 countries, and collaborating with international corporations like Samsung, SONY, and Walmart. Her strategic approach has been pivotal in fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders, government agencies, and environmental advocates.
Chresten Heide-Anderson is Project Manager at EPS-branchen (Danish EPS Association) and Vice President of EUMEPS (European EPS Association). He has 20 years of experience in Public Policy. For the past 5+ years, he has effectively advocated circular policy solutions for EPS packaging and construction materials throughout Europe.
He is involved in European standardization work on Sustainable packaging, and has guest lectured on CSR, sustainability and Circular Economy at several colleges in Denmark.
Becher Townshend is the Executive Director of Expanded Polystyrene Australia and the Managing Director of Font Public Relations, drawing together more than three decades as an award-winning state political reporter and public relations professional.
Primarily focused on strategic communications in business, the community sector, government business enterprises and local government, Becher is one of Tasmania’s leading advisors for government relations.
GESA Member Associations
The EPS Industry Alliance (www.epsindustry.org) is a trade association representing the EPS supply chain in North America, promoting sustainable EPS practices and advancing innovation in manufacturing, circularity, and recycling.
Contact: Betsy Bowers, Executive Director E-mail: betsy.bowers@epsindustry.org
EUMEPS (www.eumeps.org) unites more than 1,000 companies in the EPS industry across Europe, most of them small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Contact: Lea Salihovic, Sustainability Advisor E-mail: l.salihovic@eumeps.org
EPSbranchen-en del af Plastindustrien (https://eps-airpop.dk/) represents the EPS-producing companies and the rest of the EPS value chain in Denmark.
Contact: Chresten Heide-Anderson, Project Manager E-mail: cha@eps-airpop.dk
The African Polystyrene Industry Alliance (www.apia.africa) APIA is a not-for-profit organization representing some of Africa’s largest producers in the EPS industry and beyond.
Contact: Adri Spangenberg, Packaging Executive E-mail: adri@apia.africa
EPS Australia (www.epsa.org.au) is the national industry body for all manufacturers and distributors of expanded polystyrene (EPS) products in Australia, highlighting the valuable contribution that EPS can make to environmental sustainability.
Contact: Becher Townsend, Executive Director E-mail: bechert@fontpr.com.au
Asian Manufacturers of Expanded Polystyrene (www.ameps.net) was formed in 1994 and has expanded to include 16 members across the Asia Pacific region. AMEPS is actively involved in the establishment of EPS recycling associations and has a strong focus on research and development, and technological innovation.
Contact: Kazumi Yamada, Executive Director E-mail: k-yamada@jepsa.jp
Global EPS Sustainability Alliance 