PPWR: What Does the New EU Packaging Regulation Mean for Packaging Development?

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, commonly known as the PPWR, is about to become an important framework for companies that manufacture, use or place packaging on the European market.

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 entered into force on 11 February 2025 and will generally apply from 12 August 2026. However, many of its specific requirements will be introduced gradually over the following years.

The objective is clear: packaging in Europe should use fewer primary resources, generate less waste and become more suitable for a functioning circular economy.

What changes with the PPWR?

Unlike the previous Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, the PPWR is a regulation. This means that its requirements apply directly throughout the European Union without first having to be implemented through separate national legislation.

The regulation covers all packaging and packaging waste, regardless of the material used or the sector in which the packaging is placed on the market.

Its central objectives include:

improving the recyclability of packaging;
increasing the use of recycled materials;
reducing unnecessary packaging and material use;
introducing more consistent labelling and information requirements;
promoting reuse and refill solutions;
restricting certain substances of concern in packaging.

Recyclability becomes a design requirement

The European Commission’s objective is for all packaging placed on the EU market to be recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. From 2035 onwards, recyclability at scale will also play an increasingly important role.

This means that recyclability can no longer be considered only at the end of a packaging’s life cycle. It must be addressed during product development.

Material selection, layer structure, additives, colours, adhesives and other packaging components can all influence whether a packaging solution can be collected, sorted and recycled effectively.

The PPWR therefore reinforces a principle that is already central to modern packaging development: Design for Recycling.

Material reduction without compromising protection

Another central aspect of the PPWR is packaging minimisation.

Packaging should use only the material necessary to fulfil its intended functions. Unnecessary layers, excessive weight and avoidable empty space will become increasingly difficult to justify.

However, reducing material must not compromise product protection.

A packaging solution that uses less material but results in more damaged or spoiled products does not create a meaningful environmental benefit. Material efficiency must therefore be considered together with shelf life, barrier properties, seal integrity and reliable processing.

Documentation and cooperation become more important

The PPWR also increases the importance of technical documentation and reliable information throughout the supply chain.

Packaging manufacturers, converters, food producers, brand owners and distributors will need to work more closely together. Relevant information about materials, recycled content, recyclability and packaging composition must be available and verifiable.

Companies should therefore not wait until every requirement becomes mandatory. Packaging structures, production processes and supplier information should be reviewed early.

How BUERGOFOL supports this development

At BUERGOFOL, sustainability, performance and efficient material use are considered together during packaging development.

Our experience in extrusion, processing technology and application development allows us to work closely with customers when evaluating packaging structures and identifying suitable alternatives.

The Buergo.Life product portfolio includes packaging solutions developed with recyclability and resource efficiency in mind. These include PET films with very high levels of post-consumer recycled material and solutions designed to reduce unnecessary material complexity.

At the same time, the packaging must continue to fulfil its primary purpose: protecting the product and performing reliably throughout production, transport and use.

Preparing for PPWR starts now

The PPWR will not transform packaging overnight. Different requirements will become applicable at different times, and further technical criteria will continue to be defined.

Nevertheless, the direction is already clear.

Packaging will need to become more recyclable, more resource-efficient and better documented. Companies that begin evaluating their packaging structures today will be better prepared for the regulatory and technical requirements ahead.

The most effective solutions will be created when sustainability, regulatory requirements and packaging performance are considered together from the beginning.

Would you like to discuss how your packaging structures can be prepared for future requirements? Contact our team.

This article provides a general overview and does not constitute legal advice.

Sources: European Commission – Packaging Waste and Regulation (EU) 2025/40.

Discover our Buergo.Life products – developed for high-performance packaging solutions designed with recyclability in mind.

With state-of-the-art extrusion and processing technology, decades of experience and an international network, BUERGOFOL provides packaging solutions that combine quality, sustainability and efficiency.