Packaging – quo vadis? Ramon Rohe, Omya International AG - Paper Technology International 2020 - Journal - Page 98

Packaging – quo vadis? Ramon Rohe, Omya International AG

PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
Packaging – quo vadis?
Ramon Rohe, Business Development Manager Paper & Board, Omya International AG
INTRODUCTION:
Growing environmental awareness, the single use plastic directive, and concerns over microplastics are driving the packaging
industry towards more sustainable and renewable products and solutions. Globally, exciting collecting and recycling systems are already in
place to put paper and board-based materials in a superb position to change the big picture. With new barrier solutions, guaranteeing the
required performance, Omya can make a valuable contribution.
Have you ever asked yourself, what is the real purpose
of packaging? Of course you did - to protect the packed goods,
whether it is a set of electronics or your cereals bar! As most of us
grew up during times where packaging simply had to fulfill its job,
providing the required functionality at lowest possible costs, nobody
was questioned the resulting impact on our resources and the
environment. And as of today we still don’t do so, at least most of us!
Last, but not least, the consumer awareness on the
environmental impact of packing products is picking up, which may
lead to unacceptable production methods, restrictions on the used
materials or the sources thereof.
So there are regulations in place, for example in Europe with
the national waste directives which are addressing defined recycling
rates for various materials, or the single use plastic directive (SUPD)
which define the regulatory and legal landscape for
the packaging industry.
But the voice of the consumer is becoming
louder, addressing the consequences of our
unlimited use of resources and finally the impact on
our wellbeing, whether pollution of land and oceans,
the omnipresence of microplastics, or the effect of
unhindered carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gas emissions.
Figures 1 & 2: Consumer awareness on the
environmental impact of packing products is
rapidly growing.
Besides the direct costs of the packaging
material, costs factors like converting speed, transport,
and complexity of the packaging process had been,
and still are, a big issue for the brand owners and
marketeers. Well, times are changing; on the one
hand the industry is confronted with ever increasing
regulations, and on the other hand secondary costs for
certification and licensing, respectively waste handling
are becoming more and more relevant.
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