Revolution in Cosmetic Packaging - the article

M. Sc. Eng. Daria Garcon
Quality Assurance Department Manager
ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 Management Representative

Revolution in Packaging – How to Meet Market Expectations and Legal Regulations? A Manufacturer's Perspective on Plastic Packaging.

Legislative changes, such as the proposed new regulation regarding packaging and packaging waste (PPWR), are setting new standards for plastic packaging manufacturers. The introduction of requirements related to the circular economy (CE) poses a significant challenge, and the process of ensuring compliance begins at the design stage. This is when manufacturers must pay particular attention to ensuring their products are beautiful yet minimalist, recyclable, and still fulfill their primary function – product protection.

When designing packaging, one cannot forget that packaging accounts for 40% of the total amount of plastics used in the European Union, which leads to a serious problem with excess waste. As a result, there is increasing pressure to rationalize packaging waste management and implement environmentally friendly actions.

The PPWR regulation, which will replace the currently applicable Directive 94/62/EC, will standardize the rules across EU member states. A key point of the regulation is the requirement that, by 2030, all packaging must be recyclable. This will require, among other things, appropriate packaging design and the use of selected raw materials that can be reused after processing.

Another important aspect of the new regulations is the obligation to use recycled materials. By 2030, packaging must contain between 30% and 35% PCR (post-consumer recycled materials), and by 2040, this level will increase to 50%–65%. The exception applies to packaging for sensitive products (made from polymers other than polyethylene terephthalate), where the requirements are somewhat less strict. It is important to emphasize that the percentages refer to the total weight of the packaging, including closures and labels, which, in turn, increases the overall percentage. An exception is when both the closure and label are also made from PCR.

Another requirement is to limit the weight, volume, and empty space in the packaging to the minimum necessary to fulfill its basic function, as well as consumer education, which aims to increase awareness so that consumers make informed choices. Consumer knowledge is critical in the context of PCR plastics and their awareness that these materials are regrinds with different properties (appearance, smell, mechanical properties, etc.) compared to the original polymer. Expectations for this group of materials should not be the same as for conventional ones, given that some properties are their inherent characteristics and may vary across different batches.

The regulation also includes the requirement to label packaging materials with information about their material composition, which aims to help consumers with better sorting of packaging waste. These same labels must be placed on waste containers. However, it does not cover chemical recycling, which allows for the production of high-quality raw materials and the management of waste for which no solutions have yet been found, as well as the production of products of the same quality as those made from virgin raw materials.

We also recognize the risks arising from the regulation, such as the loss of certain packaging solutions, unification of packaging, or lack of approval from clients/consumers.

Bech Packaging’s Actions for Sustainable Development

As an environmentally conscious company, Bech Packaging is already implementing the principles outlined in PPWR at every stage of its operations. Our eco-friendly approach includes, among other things, internal mechanical recycling, which allows the reuse of production materials without losing quality. We also prioritize an advanced waste sorting system, enabling the materials to be sent for further recycling.

We are constantly striving to minimize the weight of packaging and carefully select raw materials for future recycling. One of the biggest challenges we face is the availability of high-quality PCR materials that meet the requirements for food contact packaging. The market for these materials is still limited, and their quality does not always meet our raw material expectations. This requires significant effort from the entire team. We hope that, in addition to PCR materials, bio-based raw materials will also be added to the PPWR regulation, which is currently under discussion, and would be a great solution for food packaging and special applications.

Despite numerous challenges, Bech Packaging is consistently pursuing its environmental goals by creating packaging that reduces the negative impact of plastics on the environment.

Collaboration with Clients for Environmental Protection

Our company actively collaborates with clients, offering comprehensive advice from the very beginning of the packaging design process. We support them at every stage to ensure that the final packaging is compliant with regulations and, most importantly, has the least possible environmental impact. At Bech Packaging, we believe that a responsible approach in every aspect of life is crucial for a sustainable future.