The webinar hosted by Borealis’ industry experts Luca Boragno and Chantal Semaan, accompanied by Markus Pfeiffer from Contantia Flexibles and Isabella Bodin Carloni from Henkel, delved into the new European Packaging, Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and its significant impact on the flexible packaging industry. This insightful session covered the regulation's requirements, the transition to more sustainable packaging solutions and shared success stories.

If you missed the live event, you can still watch this interesting webinar and find the key takeaways summarized here.

Key Takeaways

1. Introduction to the PPWR: The PPWR aims to guide the packaging industry towards sustainability by introducing comprehensive rules and restrictions. Key areas of focus include recyclability by design, mandatory material inclusion, reuse and refill, waste minimization, and harmonized regulations across the European Union (EU). These changes are designed to make packaging more environmentally friendly and sustainable.

   
   

2. Recyclability by Design: By 2030, only packages designed to be recyclable will be accepted in the EU market. By 2035, these packages must also be recycled at scale, meaning the necessary technology and recycling streams must be available to support their recyclability, ensuring they can be effectively processed and reused.

   
   

3. Mandatory Material Inclusion: The regulation mandates the inclusion of certain materials in packaging. For plastic packaging, this includes the introduction of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. By 2030, food contact materials must contain at least 10% PCR, while non-food packaging must contain 35%. This requirement aims to reduce reliance on virgin plastics and promote the use of recycled materials.

   
   

4. Reuse and Refill: The regulation emphasizes the need for reusable packaging, particularly in business-to-business transport packaging. Some types of single-use transport packaging will be banned, necessitating a shift towards reusable solutions. This change is expected to reduce waste and promote more sustainable packaging practices.

   
   

5. Waste Minimization: Member states are required to reduce plastic waste by 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight in 2030, 2035 and 2040, respectively, using 2018 as the reference year. This step wise approach prioritizes waste reduction through strategies like reducing, reusing, and recycling. The goal is to minimize the overall environmental impact of packaging waste.

   
   

6. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Fees: Producers will be required to pay fees based on the actual cost of collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging waste. These fees will be modulated based on the sustainability of the packaging, incentivizing producers to design more sustainable packaging solutions. Guidelines for these fees will be published after the official release of the PPWR.

   
   

7. Bio-based Plastics: Although not currently included in the PPWR, bio-based plastics are being considered for future regulations. These materials offer significant advantages in terms of CO2 footprint reduction and can be particularly useful where PCR is not feasible, such as in food contact applications. The European Commission is working on a report due by 2027 to establish sustainability criteria for bio-based plastics.

   
   

8. Collaboration and Preparation: The transition to more sustainable packaging requires early preparation and collaboration across the value chain. Companies are encouraged to work together to develop solutions that meet the new regulatory requirements. This includes moving from multi-material to mono-material packaging, reducing thickness, and incorporating PCR content.

   
   

9. Case Studies and Success Stories: The webinar highlighted several case studies, including the use of Borealis grades to meet stringent market requirements and a success story from Henkel on incorporating 30% PCR in flexible packaging for household goods. These examples demonstrate the practical application of sustainable packaging solutions and the importance of collaboration in achieving these goals.

This webinar is a must-watch for anyone involved in the packaging industry, providing valuable insights and practical advice on navigating the new regulatory landscape. Be sure to check it out and stay informed on the latest developments in sustainable packaging.