European Bioplastics recently welcomed Lorenza Romanese to the European Bioplastics team. Lorenza has joined us as our Secretary General. Learn more about her in the portrait below.
- Tea or coffee? Definitely coffee. I was born and raised in Trieste, a city with a deep-rooted coffee culture. Trieste it is home to historic cafés, roasteries, and even coffee diplomacy. Coffee isn’t just a drink there; it’s a ritual, a way of life. So yes, it’s in my DNA.
- Your favourite saying? “Truth endures; the rules must evolve: What is right must come before the law. Laws may change, but what is right lasts forever.” This echoes Robert Houghwout Jackson’s words at the Nuremberg Trials. I find it profoundly relevant in today’s policy work: values should guide us, not rigid rules. As societies evolve, so must the frameworks that govern them. The truth is here to stay, rules must adapt to it.
- A life lesson you will never forget? I’ve learned that humility is a strength. Saying “I don’t know” and asking the right questions can open more doors than pretending to have all the answers. Listening, staying curious, and being kind. These have served me well both professionally and personally.
- What makes you proud to do your job? I’m proud that I can bring real, tangible change to the companies I represent. Whether it’s influencing a piece of legislation or creating space for innovation, I feel that my work helps shape a more sustainable and forward-looking Europe—one sector at a time.
- A fun fact about you that few people know? As a child, I was incredibly shy. I could barely speak up in class. Ironically, I now speak in public almost every week, whether it’s at conferences, workshops, or meetings with policymakers. It still makes me nervous sometimes, but I’ve learned to channel that energy into impact.