The event on 12 and 13 February was all about the circular economy with plastic packaging.
 

More than 130 participants from the entire value chain came to Bad Homburg, according to the information provided, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) under the guiding theme ‘Making plastic packaging fit for the future’ and to develop innovative solutions for a sustainable circular economy with plastic packaging. Against the background of the PPWR, which came into force at the beginning of February, the new event format of the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen (Industrial Association for Plastic Packaging) in practical lectures from industry and science addressed questions such as: What does the PPWR mean for the future of plastic packaging? How do companies in the industry and their products have to adapt?
 
The IK lists the following as key findings of the congress:

• Design4Recycling is ‘not a nice to have but a must have’.
• The implementation of a European regulation is not self-explanatory and certainly not automatically the same in all 27 countries.
• Data must flow digitally along the entire value chain, otherwise it will be difficult to obtain the declaration of conformity.
• Reuse not only has potential, but is also common practice with plastic packaging, especially in the industrial sector. However, the 100 per cent quota of the PPWR was an obvious mistake and must be corrected.
• The use of PCR requires a great deal of joint effort, but is also technically possible in contact-sensitive packaging.

Dr Isabell Schmidt, IK managing director for circular economy and organiser of the event, says: ‘These were two inspiring days full of new insights, stimulating discussions and valuable contacts. The IK Circular Packaging Days 2025 have impressively demonstrated that the plastic packaging industry is ready to face the challenges of the future and is actively working on sustainable solutions.’
 
Sources:

• Press release IK (20.2.2025)
• Photo: © IK