Industry Leaders Discuss the Transformative Impact of Sustainability on Packaging Processes and Business Models
In a recent interview at Interpack 2023, Adrian Ritzhaupt of Mosca sheds light on the profound influence sustainability has had on the packaging industry's business models and processes. A pioneer in the field, Mosca began using 100% recycled materials for its packaging products a decade ago, underlining the long-standing commitment to sustainability.
Over the past decade, sustainability has become an increasingly focal point for the packaging industry, spurred not only by legal regulations like the EU Regulation 2022/1616 on recycled plastics for food but also by a global push for environmental protection. The EU's Circular Economy Action Plan has introduced a digital product passport, and a recent law prohibits climate neutrality claims without substantiating evidence.
In a podcast titled "Sustainable Packaging," experts Dr. Kerstin Hermuth-Kleinschmidt (NIUB) and Peter Désilets (pacoon sustainability concepts GmbH) delve into the nuances of sustainability in the packaging sector. They provide insights into navigating the topic and offer a guide for adopting a sustainable approach.
The conversation emphasizes that sustainable packaging extends beyond material choices. Design and conception play a pivotal role in ensuring recyclability. New technologies, such as invisible codes storing composition details, help in sorting materials for recycling, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices from the initial development stage.
Globalization poses a challenge to sustainable packaging, with different recycling systems across countries. To address this, experts suggest finding a universal recyclability standard to cater to a broader market and ensure genuine sustainability.
The conversation shifts to the role of digitalization in sustainability, with varying perspectives. While some believe it's essential for improving eco-balance through efficient data use, others argue that sustainability can begin without digitalization, focusing on material choices and waste reduction.
The article explores the impact of sustainability on machine manufacturing, where companies are contemplating investments in new machinery with lower emissions and resource consumption. The decision to acquire new machines involves considerations of cost-sharing within the production facility.
The packaging industry faces a pivotal moment in embracing sustainability, with experts advocating for a disruptive shift. Acting sustainably is seen as entering a new economic era, challenging companies to adopt transformative leadership styles and engage employees intrinsically in sustainable practices.
The article concludes with a call for collaboration across the industry, emphasizing that achieving sustainability requires a united effort. Initiatives like the Sustainable Media Guides, Umdex, and the Forever Green Alliance are highlighted as crucial steps toward creating a disruptive moment and fostering a sustainable packaging industry.
