The European packaging industry faces profound changes in the near future. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) proposed by the European Union will have a significant impact on both packaging producers and those who use it. This regulation aims to reduce waste and increase resource reuse and will transform the way we produce and use packaging materials.

Packaging is an integral part of our daily lives. They protect products, extend their shelf life and provide us with important information. However, the overuse of packaging materials and the resulting waste have caused significant concerns in recent decades. It is precisely these concerns that prompted the EU to develop the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

This regulation is based on a sustainable vision that focuses on reducing waste and reusing raw materials. The aim is to significantly reduce the amount of packaging waste in the European Union. But what does this mean concretely for the packaging industry in the Netherlands?

One of the pillars of the regulations is prevention. The motto here is ‘prevention is better than cure’. The EU wants every member state to reduce the total amount of packaging material by 5, 10 and 15 per cent by 2030, 2035 and 2040 respectively compared to consumption in 2018. Exactly how this will be achieved is up to the member states. This could mean banning certain packaging, such as single-use plastics for fruit and vegetables or in the catering industry. Limiting packaging size to the minimum functional size is also an option.

In addition, the EU is pushing for refilling of packaging units. Consider the collection, rinsing and reuse of beer bottles and PET bottles. This will particularly affect the hospitality and convenience sector, where drinks and takeaway and delivery meals are central. The exact details of this measure are still under discussion, but it is clear that reuse will play an important role.

Another important focus of the regulations is the reuse of raw materials. This not only aims to reduce waste, but also contributes to the circularity of the chain. The EU imposes stricter requirements on reusable packaging materials and recycled raw materials. By the end of 2025, at least 65 per cent of all packaging material in the EU must be recycled, and by 2030 this percentage must increase to at least 70 per cent.

Targets alone are not enough. To reuse packaging materials, used packaging must be collected effectively and be suitable for processing. The regulations expect member states to set up collection programmes, with a specific focus on single-use plastics and aluminium cans. By 1 January 2029, member states must introduce deposit systems for these forms of packaging.

For the Dutch market, the increased requirements particularly with regard to plastic packaging bring significant changes. Packaging producers must both adapt existing plastic packaging for recycling and develop new materials with more recycled plastic. This requires innovation and adaptation to maintain the quality and characteristics of the packaging material.

In addition, we can expect substitution between different packaging materials depending on the availability of recycling options. This will affect users of different packaging materials and may impact product quality, shelf life and production processes.

It is clear that the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation poses significant challenges to the packaging industry and packagers. It is a step towards a more sustainable and circular economy, but it will require efforts from all stakeholders, including consumers, to achieve these goals.

Although final regulations are still several years away, it is already clear that the future of packaging materials in Europe will change significantly. The packaging industry will have to innovate and adapt to meet the new requirements and ensure less waste and more reuse of materials.