Warsaw became the centre of a key discussion for the European aluminium packaging management industry. 

Over 70 experts and representatives of the sector met to discuss the impact of the EU’s PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) on the future of packaging made of this metal.

The conference participants agreed that the new regulations will significantly change the market throughout the European Union, requiring companies to adapt to new standards and waste management principles. Is the sector ready for the upcoming challenges?

The conference “Drink. Recycle. Repeat. Circular Power of Aluminium Packaging” was opened by Sarah Cuvellier – Deputy CEO of Metal Packaging Europe, who stressed the importance of cooperation of all supply chain stakeholders related to the production and recycling of aluminium packaging in the context of the new EU PPWR regulation: “Several months have passed since the adoption of the PPWR, but the packaging industry has not stopped discussing it. The discussion is the drafting of the numerous implementing acts, the development and publication of which will determine the final shape of changes to the packaging market regulated by PPWR.”

During the meeting, Anita Sowińska, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, emphasised the value of aluminium.

She said: ”As some of you already know, aluminium is my favourite raw material. I am a supporter of systemic solutions, and aluminium fits perfectly into the circular economy. It is also appreciated by manufacturers in many areas of the economy – in construction, transport, production of electrical and electronic equipment, the furniture industry and, of course, in the production of packaging. 

“This popularity of aluminium, and even competition for resources, undoubtedly proves that this raw material has many advantages: lightness, corrosion resistance, plasticity, good thermal and electrical conductivity and a relatively low price. But what additionally distinguishes aluminium from other raw materials, such as plastics, is that it can be recycled an infinite number of times without losing quality, which makes it a strategic material for circular transformation.”

The representative of the ministry also referred to the packaging design and improving the efficiency of aluminium recycling. In her opinion, there are many possibilities, and the most important legal tool supporting eco-design is PPWR packaging regulation: “Its goal is for all packaging placed on the market to be recyclable from 2030. Recycling performance will be expressed in performance grades A, B or C and will be assessed on the basis of design criteria, such as ease of dismantling, ease of emptying the packaging, presence of additives that may interfere with recycling, method of removing the label, material composition or packaging closures used. After 2030, packaging will be considered recyclable if the recyclability performance grade is at least 70%, and packaging that does not meet this criterion will be withdrawn and replaced with other solutions. However, from 2035, a new factor will be added to the assessment of the packaging recyclability which is the recycled-at-scale assessment. Therefore, an assessment will be carried out based on the quantity (weight) of the material effectively recycled from each of the packaging categories.”

At the same time, the deputy minister reminded that PPWR regulation enters into force directly and does not require transposition into the laws of the Member States.