Marzek Etiketten+Packaging: PPWR as an opportunity and competitive advantage

The EU PPWR (Packaging + Packaging Waste Regulation), which came into force at the beginning of this year, poses huge challenges for the economy as a whole and, of course, for the packaging industry in particular. With extensive preparations, Marzek Etiketten+Packaging not only wants to fulfil the legal requirements in the best possible way, but also position itself as a pioneer for sustainability in the industry.

As part of the EU's Green Deal, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) aims to develop a sustainable circular economy for packaging throughout the EU and reduce packaging materials. In line with the motto ‘Reuse - Reduce - Recycle’, laws are now coming into force in stages to bring the EU closer to this goal step by step. From 2030, for example, packaging must have a recyclability of at least 70% in order to be placed on the EU market. Also from 2030, packaging must be designed in such a way that the weight and volume are reduced to the required minimum, taking into account the shape and material of the packaging. 

Challenges for the industry
Although the regulations are only being specified gradually, while the period until they come into force in 2030 is shrinking noticeably, preparations at Marzek Etiketten+Packaging are already in full swing. ‘At Marzek Etiketten+Packaging, we are used to proactively preparing for new regulations long before they come into force. In this way, we ensure that our products and services always meet the latest requirements and that we can provide our customers with the best possible advice and service,’ explains Dr Johannes Michael Wareka, CEO of Marzek Etiketten+Packaging and 4th generation of the founding family. ‘A particular challenge is that the PPWR is not just about the label, but about the packaging as an overall solution, in which all components of recyclability must be considered in combination,’ he adds. 

Customised solutions
Marzek Etiketten+Packaging usually only supplies one component for packaging, which is then combined with other packaging parts by the producer. For this reason, close cooperation with B2B customers is paramount in order to develop an optimal solution together with them.

In the case of sheet and roll labels, which are generally almost always stuck to or over the entire surface of bottles, boxes, films or other containers, the aim must be that they can either be separated in the recycling process, washed off or removed, or recycled together with the container. Wrap-around labels, which are attached around bottles and for the most part only glued on at certain points/small areas, are easier to separate in the recycling process and can usually also be recycled separately.

Folding cartons, fine cardboard packaging and package inserts can be easily reprocessed in the recycling cycle as non-composite packaging components. 
With flexible packaging, attention must be paid to the material composition: On the one hand, the barrier properties for product protection must be complied with (e.g.: food safety, shelf life...) and on the other hand, the packaging must be recyclable. Monomaterials with thin coatings, which have sufficient barrier properties and at the same time do not interfere with the recycling process, can be the solution here.

A particular problem is the proportion of recycled material to be aimed for in food contact packaging. It goes without saying that no materials that could contaminate the food may be used here. ‘In general, we at Marzek Etiketten+Packaging naturally pay attention to the use of non-toxic or low-migration inks, varnishes and other materials for both direct and indirect food contact. In the case of indirect food contact, it is important to consider what other packaging the labels will be affixed to. This is also optimally coordinated with our customers,’ explains Dr Johannes Michael Wareka.

Opportunity + competitive advantage
Even though there are still many unanswered questions about the PPWR, different requirements for different business areas and many exceptions to be observed, the labelling and packaging industry must adapt to the new requirements immediately. ‘At Marzek Etiketten+Packaging, the entire internal sales department, the sales team and management have already been familiarised with the objectives of the PPWR in extensive internal training sessions with external specialists,’ reports Dr Johannes Michael Wareka. ‘We believe that the impact of the PPWR on our business will be significant. We are therefore trying to prepare ourselves in the best possible way and are already planning our investments with these challenges in mind,’ continues Dr Wareka. As has often been the case in the company's 145-year history, he and his management team see the new regulations as an opportunity to continue to assert themselves as a competent and reliable partner for viticulture, trade and industry.