Ecological monomaterial packaging – the new packaging trend?
Consumers are placing more and more emphasis on environmentally friendly production and sustainability when they purchase products. All the while, the legal requirements imposed on packaging are becoming ever stricter. If you want to optimally position yourself in the market with your products and respond to upcoming legislative amendments, we can jointly develop the ideal packaging for your product with you.
In most European countries and many other nations around the world, recycling has meanwhile become standard practice. But thirty years ago, it was a different story: “Greens” were often ridiculed when they refused to throw paper, glass, and other garbage into the same container. This illustrates how much significance recycling and environmental protection have gained in the past. Consumers realize that sustainable and ecologically unobjectionable production are indispensable for the future.
Most companies have also recognized this trend and are attempting to manufacture their products in a sustainable and ecologically friendly manner. Unfortunately, the focus is often only on isolated facets of production, so that measures undertaken are only conditionally effective. The new packaging law in Germany, scheduled to enter into force in 2019, is causing considerable uncertainty in businesses that are affected by it. But there are solutions that will fulfil not only the new legal provisions but also the expectations of consumers.
The crux of sustainability
Sustainability means extracting only as much material from a system that can regenerate and, consequently, reducing raw material consumption in the production processes. For additional information, read our blog article entitled “Sustainable packaging – appearances count!”
A reduction of raw material consumption automatically involves recycling. Indeed, sustainability and recycling are a perfect match. Recovering raw materials requires reduced volumes of “fresh” resources. This not only makes production more sustainable but is also more environmentally friendly. One of the most important packaging trends – flexible monomaterial packaging – deals precisely with this constellation.
Tomorrow’s packaging
As its name suggests, “monomaterial packaging” consists of only one material. Just like laminated packaging, monomaterial packaging is composed of several layers, not least in the interest of packaging design. But only one basic material is involved. When the time comes, this simplifies sorting and reuse and reduces the need for new resources. Additionally, this makes it easier for producers and consumers to maintain the selective separation of recycled substances.
The technical requirements imposed on packaging are so complex that so far, various material combinations in laminates were usually needed to fulfil them. Flexible monomaterial packaging must also address all of the requirements that apply to “normal” packaging systems. Thus, it must optimally protect the product against environmental impacts such as UV radiation and moisture while reliably preventing the ingress of contaminants. Also, it must be robust enough to withstand the effects of transportation and handling by the consumer. It should not be too heavy and must be both readily printable and unproblematically designable.
The fulfilment of these requirements is everything but trivial. But Wipf AG has now succeeded in manufacturing a PP-based monomaterial packaging that is suitable for many common applications. It features all of the characteristics habitually expected of laminated packaging but consists of only one material, which significantly facilitates sorting in the recycling phase. In turn, this increases the recycling quota, making production environmentally friendlier and more sustainable. With our monomaterial packaging, you can also accommodate the imminent legislative changes in Germany.
New legislation in Germany
Starting in 2019, manufacturers in Germany must comply with stricter legal provisions as regards recycling. Effective 1 January 2019, the Packaging Act supersedes the Packaging Ordinance which has been valid so far. In anticipation of the new legal framework, the Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister ZSVR (Central Unit Packaging Register) published guidelines in which the new requirements are described in detail. The objective of the new law is to increase the recycling quota in order to inject more resources back into the reusable materials cycle.
To achieve this goal, the authorities chose quite an elegant approach: The licence fees that companies pay to the Duales System for the collection and recovery of packaging are now determined on the basis of the recyclability of the packaging. Higher fees then apply to packaging types with low recyclability as opposed to more easily recyclable packaging types and those made of recycled material or renewable raw materials for which lower fees are payable.
With monomaterial packaging, you are well prepared for the new law, because it not only addresses the lofty expectations of consumers but is also easily recyclable. So from the very beginning, you benefit from lower licence fees and the associated cost savings.
Incidentally, you should also know this: The new law applies not only to German manufacturers but also to companies that want to offer their products in the German marketplace. It must be heeded among others by online merchants and companies that distribute their products in Germany through retail outlets.
High-grade packaging – by Wipf, naturally
If you want to protect your products with sustainably produced, reliable packaging, you have found the ideal partner: Wipf AG. For many years, we have been serving our markets as a provider of ecologically sound packaging. Our focus is on innovative materials and manufacturing processes which allow us to offer our customers consistently optimized products. Familiarize yourself with the benefits of monomaterial packaging – make an appointment for a briefing and let us submit an offer at no obligation on your part.
Would you like to learn more about our capabilities?
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours, Wipf AG
T +41 44 947 22 11 | info@wipf.ch