PPWR Helps in Making Sustainable Choices

When developing packaging and selecting packaging materials, several factors come into play that together determine what is most suitable. Important aspects include user-friendliness, food safety and quality, manufacturability, and cost. Over the past decade, sustainability has been added to this list. In the choices we make, we often encounter conflicting interests and it’s about finding the right balance between these factors. For example, using a more sustainable film may affect how it runs on our packaging lines.

For products sold under our own brand, we have control over these choices. For our co-packing customers, we include them in our considerations and advise them on the most appropriate packaging.

Product quality
No matter what choice is made, maintaining product quality is always the priority. Many of our products have a long shelf life and must be optimally protected during that time. This places high demands on both the packaging and the packaging material.

Sustainability
At Euroma, we’ve been working for quite some time on making our packaging more sustainable. The new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) compels us to take further steps in the area of sustainability. The PPWR supports us as producers in making sustainable choices when there are conflicting interests. A good example is the cap that remains attached to the bottle. While convenience decreases, it truly contributes to reducing litter.

Recylable
One area where improvement is still possible involves the use of complex laminates. Many of our products are packaged in sachets made of paper, aluminium, and PE. By combining these materials, we create packaging with the best properties in terms of preservation, presentation, and processing on the production line. Although the paper content in this packaging is high — making it seem sustainable at first glance — it is not recyclable. Switching to alternatives has consequences. Recyclable mono-material packaging does not always offer the same benefits as the original, in terms of both functionality and processability. In the coming years, the company will invest heavily in production capacity to process new packaging with the same effectiveness. The PPWR encourages such investments — something that might not have happened otherwise. While the regulation may pose challenges for some companies, it also presents opportunities. For example, it could provide a competitive advantage if we are able to offer sustainable packaging solutions.

Never bored
Packaging has always fascinated me. As consumers, we handle various types of packaging every day, often using and discarding them without a second thought. I want to contribute to ensuring that packaging is both effective and sustainable. My goal is achieved when people are left with a positive impression of the packaging. Even after 25 years, I’m never bored with this field — it remains exciting to follow developments, especially given the challenging choices ahead in making our packaging more sustainable.