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Sustainable Processing and Packaging

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interpack Top Theme: Innovative Materials

Intelligent packaging extends shelf life, ensures quality and enables recycling through design - for more sustainability and less food loss.

Alternative materials for beverage containers

Bio-based, recyclable, reusable: Krones is researching how alternative packaging for beverages can be compatible with existing and new machines. One example of alternative container materials is the pulp bottle.

Circular economy meets education

Millions of tons of plastic end up unstructured in recycling or in the environment every day. But with Future Technologies and education, waste can be turned into something new: knowledge, enthusiasm and the chance for a sustainable future.

drinktec TOP Topic: Circularity & Resource Management

The focus of the beverage and liquid food industry is on intelligent circular systems and sustainable resource management in the production and packaging process as well as on the responsible use of raw materials.

New EU packaging rules also affect building valves

The new EU packaging regulation is part of the Green Deal and came into force on February 11, 2025. From August 12, 2026, most of the regulations will be binding in all EU member states. This also puts pressure on the valves industry.

Global growth market: food and beverage industry

The global food and beverage industry is one of the most dynamic growth sectors. Plastic dominates sales of retail packaging for food and beverages.

Packaging is not bad - waste is caused by people

Carelessly discarded packaging pollutes oceans and landscapes worldwide. The images of environmental pollution are well known and the need for action is great. Every individual bears responsibility.

Paper-based flexible packaging

Consumers consider paper/cardboard packaging to be sustainable and the trend is moving towards fiber-based packaging. Flexible paper packaging is experiencing a renaissance.

Paper production

Paper is a classic packaging material made from fibers. A distinction is made between primary and secondary fibers made from wood or waste paper. This article provides information on the various stages of paper production.

Cardboard packaging

Cardboard packaging is stable and protects against mechanical stress. It is used as product packaging, outer packaging and transport packaging. Here you can find out everything about the production and use of cardboard and corrugated cardboard.

FAQ on the sustainability of paper and plastic packaging

Which packaging is more sustainable, paper or plastic packaging? We have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions in FAQs, which we offer VDMA members exclusively for download.

Plastic packaging made from mono and composite films

Plastic packaging usually consists of composite films that are difficult to recycle. Legislation therefore requires materials and combinations that enable a high recycling rate.

Plastics and their use as packaging material

Plastics are very versatile due to their properties. Read on to find out how plastics are made, what types there are, what the most common packaging plastics are and the selection criteria.

Overview of regulations on packaging and packaging waste worldwide

Focus on the circular economy: countries around the world are enacting regulations on packaging and waste in order to reduce environmental pollution. The overview "Regulations on packaging and packaging waste" shows current and planned measures. Download now!

FAQ on the sustainability of paper and plastic packaging

Which packaging is more sustainable, paper or plastic packaging? There is no general answer to this question, as it depends on the product to be packaged and the resulting requirements.

Less is more - packaging is getting lighter and lighter

Optimized packaging design and innovative processing techniques have led to packaging becoming lighter and lighter over the years, with the same or better packaging performance and stability.

EU Parliament adopts EU packaging regulation (PPWR)

EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius announces action on reusable transport packaging quota.

Spain: Expansion of packaging licensing to include industrial packaging

From 01.05.2025, packaging licensing in Spain will be extended to industrial packaging. This also applies to transport packaging for machine deliveries.

Agreement in the EU Council on the proposed EU Packaging Regulation

On December 18, 2023, the EU Council reached an agreement ("general approach") on the proposal for the EU Packaging Regulation, after the EU Parliament had already approved its position on the document on November 22, 2023.

EU Regulation 2022/1616 - Food contact materials made from recycled plastics

EU Regulation 2022/1616 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food came into force on October 10, 2022, replacing the previously applicable EU Regulation 2008/282. The new regulation applies to all plastic types and recycling technologies.

How can plastic packaging get into the sea?

The old industrialised countries export their waste plastic packaging to third countries and emerging markets for disposal or recycling. However, these do not have appropriate infrastructure and technologies for sustainable recycling. As a result, considerable quantities of this waste ultimately end up in the sea via the major river systems of these countries.

Smart packaging solutions - less food waste

With Active Packaging and Intelligent Packaging, the plastic packaging industry has two solutions at its disposal that help to reduce material usage and food losses.

The SAVE FOOD initiative

Together with its members from companies, politics, associations and the media, Save Food [1] wants to drive innovation and create solutions to reduce food losses throughout the entire supply chain from field to consumer in dialogue with all stakeholders.

From linear to circular economy

The aim of a recycling economy is not to dispose of the various materials as waste at the end of their useful life or service life, but to use them again as high-quality materials through intelligent processes. This saves energy and protects resources and the environment.

What happens to the plastic packaging waste?

Today, more and more products are packed in plastic packaging of all kinds. But what happens after using the packaging. What quantities are generated in the EU28 and Germany and how are they recycled.

Diversity in function: the tasks of a packaging

Packaging is one of the most important keys to protecting food from premature spoilage and to supplying people around the world with high-quality food - whether in industrialized, emerging or developing countries.

Rising demand for food and beverages - increasing packaging waste

With the increasing demand for food, beverages and other consumer goods, the flood of packaging and thus packaging waste is rising.

Resource efficiency of packaging

Resource efficiency is of great importance for the packaging industry. But what is meant by this and how are they determined?

Circular Economy initiatives for plastics

How can we succeed in creating a circular economy for plastics? What opportunities does the packaging industry have? The initiatives for recycling management in the plastics packaging industry offer numerous impulses for improving the reuse of packaging.

Circular Economy - solution for the conservation of resources

What activities are undertaken to reduce plastic waste? One approach is the recycling and reuse of plastics, which is being pursued by some institutions.

Non-returnable and returnable packaging in the mirror of resource efficiency

Non-returnable or returnable packaging: why and for what purposes it is suitable and what to consider in the life cycle assessment.

From seaweed to biodegradable packaging

Seaweed is suitable as a raw material for biodegradable packaging. At interpack, the processing from seaweed to cup will be demonstrated live.

Organic instead of plastic - New materials for packaging

VDMA Packaging Machinery takes a look at alternatives to plastic and Styrofoam and where they are already being used.

Packaging reduces food losses

The number of one- and two-person households is increasing worldwide. Market and consumer-oriented packaging formats make a significant contribution to reducing the amount of food that spoils and is thrown away.

CO2 footprint: Carbon Footprint and Product Carbon Footprint

What is the CO2 footprint? The carbon footprint indicates the amount of greenhouse gases released by an activity, process or action. But products also have a CO2 footprint.

Avoiding food losses - conserving resources

Worldwide, about one third of all food is lost every year along its value chain, i.e. from the harvest to the consumer. This corresponds to approximately 1.3 billion tons. Not only food is lost, but also the resources used for cultivation, harvesting, processing, transport and storage. Packaging has a key role to play in the fight against food losses and the conservation of resources.

Life cycle assessments of plastic packaging

The life cycle assessment takes into account all environmental impacts of products, services or processes during their entire life cycle. There are some principles and rules to be observed and there are also challenges.

Focus plastic packaging

Plastic packaging has come under criticism, but it is no longer possible to imagine everyday life without it - at least not everywhere. Here you can read where, why and when the use of plastic makes sense.

Less is more: Plastic packaging is becoming lighter and lighter

Sustainable solutions and materials are in demand for packaging. However, there is no such thing as sustainable packaging, because the products to be packaged are far too different and so are the packaging requirements.

Packing under protective atmosphere

Packaging under a protective atmosphere keeps food hygienically perfect and durable for longer without preservatives or thermal preservation. This protects against premature spoilage and thus the loss of food.

The carbon footprint of plastic packaging compared to other materials

The production and use of packaging, whether made of plastic or another material, causes CO2 emissions. Which packaging material is more environmentally friendly? To determine this, it is necessary to compare the functional units of the packaging of certain products.

Resource efficiency through material savings

Better material properties, reduced wall thicknesses, lower film thicknesses, optimized shaping and processing techniques have resulted in plastic packaging becoming lighter and lighter over the years, while maintaining or improving packaging performance and stability. This is referred to as downgauging or lightweighting.

Italy: Environmental labeling of all packaging as of 01.01.2023 - Obligation also for mechanical engineering

Italy is one of the few countries in Europe to make environmental labeling of packaging mandatory for distributors not only in the B2C sector but also in the B2B sector, regardless of whether the distributor is an Italian or foreign company.

The online customer portal
Processing-WOOD.COM

The woodworking machinery trade association developed the online customer portal to generate valuable business leads for its members and thus provide them with sales support. The primary aim is to bring potential investors together with woodworking machinery manufacturers along the detailed production processes.

Packaging: Laws & regulations at a glance

Finding your way through the legal jungle for packaging: Here you will find all relevant information on laws and regulations at European and national level.

Plastic - when it makes sense

Making optimum use of transport capacities: The weight alone makes it clear that plastic offers advantages over other packaging materials. This is very clear when it comes to beverages.

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