The EU PPWR is about to be implemented: How should pulp and plastic packaging enterprises help their customers prepare?
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, Regulation (EU) 2025/40) will come into effect universally on August 12, 2026. This regulation covers all types of packaging sold in the EU market and sets unified requirements regarding packaging reduction, material composition, recyclable design, labels, and waste management.
For brand owners, agricultural product suppliers, and packaging purchasers exporting to Europe, PPWR is not only an environmental policy but will also gradually become an important basis for packaging design and supply chain management.
Pulp packaging is seeing opportunities, but one should not merely focus on the material name.
Pulp molded packaging is usually made from plant fibers or recycled paper fibers and can be used to produce products such as fruit and vegetable trays, transportation liners, industrial cushioning packaging, and food containers based on the product structure.
Compared with some traditional plastic cushioning structures, pulp molding can reduce packaging components through one-piece molding and has the potential for lightweighting, customized structure, and fiber recycling. Therefore, as European customers strengthen packaging reduction in plastic and recyclable design, pulp molding is expected to have more application opportunities.
However, it should be noted that "pulp packaging" does not automatically mean that the product has met the PPWR requirements. Actual compliance also depends on:
- Whether unnecessary materials are used in the packaging or whether the product weight and air space are properly controlled;
- Whether the coating, film, ink, adhesive, and labels affect recycling;
- Whether different materials can be easily separated;
- Whether the packaging material and structure information can be accurately traced;
- Whether food-contact packaging also meets the relevant safety requirements.
The actual impact on our factory's product development
For fruit and vegetable trays, apple transportation liners, and other pulp molded cushioning packaging, the changes brought by PPWR are not merely "replacing plastic with paper", but rather, through a reasonable structure, completing the tasks of protection, stacking and transportation with less material.
When developing projects for the European market, we suggest focusing on evaluating the following aspects:
- Optimize the structure based on transportation conditions
The packaging design should take into account the product weight, outer box size, stacking layers, transportation distance, humidity environment and drop risk, rather than simply increasing the wall thickness or product weight.
By adjusting support points, rib positions, buffer space and load-bearing structure, the material usage can be controlled while meeting the protection requirements. - Be cautious in choosing coatings and composite materials
Waterproof, oil-resistant or high-humidity environment may require surface treatment, but some coated films and composite structures may affect the packaging's ability to enter the existing paper recycling system.
Therefore, the coating scheme should be selected based on actual usage and confirmed by the customer in combination with the recycling system and regulatory requirements of the target market.
- Establish traceable material data
European customers may increasingly value information about material sources, fiber composition, product weight, production batches and the use of additives.
The factory should gradually improve raw material records, product specifications, batch traceability and testing documents to provide reliable basis for the customer's compliance assessment.
- Use tests to verify the packaging, rather than relying solely on material descriptions
The same pulp material may exhibit different performances under different thicknesses, structures and usage environments. Before formal production, size, weight, moisture content, stacking, drop, compression and actual loading tests should be conducted according to project needs.
Products involving direct contact with food, special coatings or high barrier requirements also need to undergo corresponding special tests.
How can we support European customers?
For the pulp and plastic packaging project planning to enter the EU market, we can participate in the preliminary development from the perspectives of product structure and manufacturing feasibility, including:
- Evaluating the packaging structure based on the product, outer box and transportation conditions;
- Developing customized pulp and plastic pallets and cushioning liners;
- Optimizing the material weight, support points and stacking structure;
- Cooperating with the customer to conduct sample installation and transportation tests;
- Providing materials, dimensions and production batch information confirmed by both parties;
- Adjusting the molds and product designs based on the test results.
- The final PPWR compliance judgment should be completed in conjunction with the product application, target country, customer supply chain and subsequent EU implementation rules. For projects requiring regulatory certification, food contact or recyclability conclusions, it should be tested or evaluated by a qualified third-party institution.
Prepare in advance instead of changing the packaging only when the regulations are implemented.
The implementation of PPWR means that European packaging procurement will pay more attention to reduction, recyclable design and supply chain information.The implementation of PPWR means that European packaging procurement will pay more attention to reduction, recyclable design and supply chain information. For brand owners and export enterprises, the earlier they assess the existing packaging, the greater the chance they will have to reserve time for sample testing, mold development and mass production verification.
If you are looking for pulp molding solutions for fruits and vegetables, industrial products or transportation packaging, please provide us with product dimensions, weight, outer box specifications, transportation methods and target markets. We can start from the packaging structure and manufacturing feasibility and work with you to evaluate the next plan.
Regulatory Note: This article provides general industry information and does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Whether a specific product complies with the PPWR and other EU regulations should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the actual materials, structure, application, and target market.
References:
[1] European Commission, “Packaging waste,” Environment, European Commission. Accessed: Aug. 4, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste_en
[2] European Commission, “FAQ on Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR),” Mar. 30, 2026. Accessed: Aug. 4, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/faq-packaging-and-packaging-waste-regulation-ppwr_en