Flexible Packaging The positive effect of PPWR Frédérique Rihn Maurer, marketing leader, Flexibles, at kp
upcoming ones, is likely to impact film prices and restrict market penetration.
Q: Do you think the UK and EU will align on PPWR implementation? Is 2030 realistic?
While the UK may not adopt PPWR verbatim, we expect significant harmonisation to ensure ease of trade and compliance for businesses operating across both markets. The UK recently published comparable legislation, “Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (EPR),” with the aim of it coming into force for 1 January 2025. It does not so far include recycled content targets, nor bans on specific materials.
Q: How is PPWR affecting kp’s flexible packaging business? What changes are being made?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is an EU regulation aimed at reducing packaging waste and promoting a circular economy, set to supersede the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). Its goals include making all packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030 and enforcing minimum levels of recycled content.
At kp and across the wider food packaging market, the drive towards PPWR is intended to power innovation and the development of new products that are designed for recycling (D4R) and recyclable at scale. For our flexible packaging range, we are reengineering conventional multilayer film solutions to be recyclable without compromising performance.
While the shift from multilayer to mono-material substrates often requires increased film thickness, we are working to minimise this to reduce the overall carbon footprint.
Looking ahead to 2030, we will continue incorporating more recycled content in our films to meet PPWR targets. However, the current lack of suitable recycling technologies allowing manufacturers to use PP or PE in food contact applications, as well as the high cost and limited availability of
The UK approach is more pragmatic, looking to shape recycling streams and increase the amount of material recycled and diverted from landfill or other End of Life (EOL) options.
Q: What is kp’s perspective on competitiveness? Will the EU and UK lose ground when sustainable plastic packaging is more expensive and
potentially weaker in performance? There is a risk that EU and UK competitiveness could be affected by meeting PPWR regulations. To fully understand this risk, there are important questions that we need to ask. How will the EU regulate and control imports? Will European companies be commercially protected? Will strict import bans be applied to non-sustainable plastic packaging?
Additionally, we must consider how EU-based global packaging companies will compete in external markets where sustainability legislation isn’t implemented or at least not to the same extent. Success in these markets will likely require balancing sustainability with economic competitiveness.
Q: How is the flexible packaging industry preparing for these changes? What are the main concerns? There is still an element of the unknown, but the industry is actively preparing on a number of fronts by redesigning packaging for recyclability, setting more specific sustainability goals in areas of circularity and ensuring compliance across the supply chain. Further downstream, significant investments are being made in recycling technologies, including chemical recycling. Initiatives like RecyClass and CEFLEX are crucial in providing guidelines and fostering collaboration, which will be vital in meeting PPWR goals.
The main concerns in transitioning to sustainable packaging include: 1. Cost implications for materials, technologies and certifications, as well as the impact on the end consumer
2. Technical feasibility of ensuring sustainable materials meet performance and regulatory standards
3. Supply chain readiness, including recycling capabilities and availability of recycled content by 2030 There is a lot of work to be done in ensuring a smooth process post-PPWR rollout, but it is great to see so many businesses taking a proactive and expertise-focused approach.
18
September 2024
www.convertermag.com
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