European packaging producers slowly embracing circular economy

New research commissioned by material technologies business, Aquapak, with sustainable packaging producers and users in the UK, Italy and Germany1, shows that European packaging businesses are committed to the circular economy, but few are acting ahead of legislation.

European packaging producers slowly embracing circular economy

The study shows that the majority of businesses (85%) have a circular economy strategy which involves reusing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible, with 21% saying they will be fully circular within three years.  Almost a quarter (24%) have a three to four-year time frame for achieving circularity and a further 23% expect to meet this objective within four to five years.  However, 11% said that they did not have such a strategy in place and a further 5% didn’t know.

With forthcoming legislation such as the revised European Commission’s Packaging and Packaging and Packaging Regulation (PPWR) as part of the Circular Economy package set to have a major impact on packaging and packaging design, the study also explored how this was affecting the rate of change in businesses as they seek to improve sustainability and circularity.

Just 20% of businesses said they are acting ahead of legislation and 45% said they respond quickly to new rules when they are announced.  However, 24% described their rate of change as ‘medium’ and 10% as ‘very slow’.

Commenting on the findings, Mark Lapping, Chief Executive Officer, at Aquapak, said: “Our study shows that the European packaging producers is embracing the circular economy, with a focus on achieving full circularity.  At Aquapak, we are supporting this goal by helping our customers use the world’s resources more effectively by reducing waste and increasing the reuse of valuable materials as part of the circular economy through new technologies which provide the functionality needed to protect products, whilst reducing the impact on the environment.”

To read the full report, visit Sustainable Packaging in Europe: The drive for change – aquapak (aquapakpolymers.com)

1Research carried out by leading research company Pure Profile with 150 sustainability and packaging experts across the UK, Italy and Germany (50 in each market) in March 2023.

About Aquapak

Aquapak develops and manufactures a range of adaptive polymer-based material technologies that deliver both performance and environmental responsibility at scale. For example, it has developed Hydropol, an enabling technology for the circular economy, which is biodegradable, compostable and marine-safe, and used in a range of packaging materials. Aquapak’s HQ and manufacturing centre is in Birmingham, UK, with its main geographical markets in the US, EU and Asia.

www.aquapakpolymers.com

About HydropolTM – Accelerating the transition to the Circular Economy

Hydropol™, developed and produced by Aquapak, can be made into a highly functional oxygen barrier film for complex packaging which is capable of replacing the most widely used oxygen barrier ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), as part of a multilayer structure. However, with its additional properties of strength and sealability and the fact that it is water- soluble, non-toxic and marine safe, means that it offers new opportunities going forward to produce complex barrier packaging which could be recycled or is fully biodegradable, leaving no trace or plastic pollution should they enter the environment.

Who is using Hydropol?

Consumers and businesses are increasingly concerned about plastic pollution and environmental sustainability. Packaging producers need solutions. Aquapak has partnered with a growing base of clients in apparel, fashion, hospitality, healthcare, food packaging, logistics packaging, industrial, nonwovens, and other packaging.

What is Hydropol made from?

The base plastic is currently used for dishwasher tablets, ingestible pill casings and soluble stitches.  HydropolTM ‘s resistance to low temperature solubility and high barrier to elements adds functionality, providing a wider range of uses.  It can be recycled, re-pulped, composted and is distinctively compatible with anaerobic digestion.  Furthermore, if unintentionally released into the natural environment, HydropolTM – which is non-toxic and marine safe – will dissolve and subsequently biodegrade, leaving no trace.

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