At the information event about the new PPWR organized by OFI and ARA, experts provided information on news and implementation strategies. Reference was made in particular to the themes of recyclability, use of recyclables and expansion of plastic material flows.
The speakers at the informative event about the future PPWR. from left: Dr.-Ing. Joachim Christiani (HTP-cycles), Mag. Dominik Stern (WKO – Chemical Industry Association), Ing. Michael Krainz (OFI), Dr. Elisabeth Pinter (OFI), Angelika Wlodarczyk, MSc (OFI), DI Udo Pappler (OFI) , Dr. Harald Hauke (ARA AG) and Erwin Janda (ARA AG) | Photo: OFI/Johannes Brunnbauer
Another year has passed since the EU Commission presented a proposal for a new version of the “Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation” (PPWR) in November 2022. With this, the European Commission aims to reduce environmental pollution from materials of packaging and, at the same time, promote a sustainable circular economy. The new version has not yet been decided. Since its publication a year ago, it has been criticized by several packaging and plastics industry associations, as well as environmental organizations.
Importance in Europe
After a welcome from ARA board member Dr. Harald Hauke and OFI Director General DI Udo Pappler, the afternoon began with an expert talk from Mag. Dominik Stern. Its objective: to summarize the current status of the European Packaging Regulation. The speaker from the chemical industry association repeated the basic content of the PPWR in his remarks. Stern also presented an overview of the views of European institutions and referred to key European developments (CEN). Subsequently, DI Udo Pappler, managing director of OFI and plastics expert, presented what should be taken into consideration when independently verifying the recycled content of products.
Dr.-Ing gave an insight into current developments in Germany. Joachim Christiani, managing director of the cyclos-HTP institute, a leading research and certification institution for recyclable packaging design in German-speaking countries and OFI cooperation partner in the field of testing and certification of packaging recyclability. In his remarks, Christiani addressed changes to the ZSVR minimum standard, the compliance of the CHI and OFI testing standards with the PPWR, and the processing status of the CHI guidelines.
After the first three expert talks, Dr. Elisabeth Pinter, OFI packaging expert and afternoon moderator, invited the three speakers back to the podium to discuss the audience’s questions together.
Developments in Austria
After a snack and personal discussions during the coffee break, OFI expert and ecotoxicologist Angelika Wlodarczyk, MSc, focused on technical recyclability in Austria in her talk. She addressed both the current status quo and developments that can be expected in the future as a result of PPWR.
Erwin Janda, head of operations for the ARA system, showed what developments can be expected in the collection and sorting of light packaging and presented the ARA concept. The new TriPlast classification system is currently being built in Enns. The commissioning aims to enable completely new approaches to waste treatment and sorting.
Finally, engineer Michael Krainz discussed the challenges that still need to be overcome in recycling flexible plastic packaging. With decades of experience in (still) packaging development, construction and testing at OFI, he looks positively towards the future. You have to accept challenges and work together on solutions.
Moderator Pinter discussed how this can be achieved together with the three speakers from the second block and the audience. Conclusion: There is no one solution, many will be needed.
Facing challenges together
After the official program, around 120 representatives from the food and packaging industry, retail and the plastics industry took the opportunity to exchange ideas in person, over snacks and drinks. One or two questions from the panel discussions were fleshed out in a small group.
For PPWR’s objectives to be successful in the coming years, everyone affected throughout the cycle must know what awaits them and how they can make their contribution. With friendly support from PlasticsEurope Austria and ecoplus. In spring 2024 there will be another current update from ARA and OFI in an event format.