From August 12, 2026, the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 25/40 will take effect, introducing significant changes for all companies placing packaging on the EU market. The regulation applies not only to EU-based businesses but also to non-EU suppliers exporting packaged goods into the region.
PPWR sets comprehensive requirements across the entire packaging value chain. These include stricter rules on recycled content, recyclability thresholds, reuse and refill systems, and the reduction of unnecessary space through improved packaging design. Companies will also need to comply with new labeling standards, substance restrictions, and bans on certain single-use plastics.
In addition, the regulation strengthens extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations, introduces mandatory technical documentation and conformity assessments, and establishes ambitious recycling targets. Plastic packaging, particularly PET bottles, will face higher collection and recycling rates, with even more stringent targets set for 2030 and 2040. Overall, PPWR represents a major regulatory shift, requiring early preparation and strategic alignment from packaging producers, brand owners, and suppliers worldwide.
Key Restrictions
A major focus of the regulation is the restriction of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), alongside strict limits on heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). In addition, single-use plastic packaging will be banned from 2030, although limited exemptions may apply in specific cases.
The scope and technical details of the legislation are extensive and highly complex, going well beyond what can be fully covered in a single article. Against this backdrop, industry attention is increasingly turning to how these regulatory challenges are being addressed through both ongoing innovation and complete development work. Much of this effort centers on alternative chemistries and material solutions that can meet compliance requirements without compromising performance. For some segments of the packaging sector, the pace of change is intense, making the transition feel very much like a race against time.
The Route to Reaching Solutions
Across Europe, numerous EU-funded projects are underway to accelerate the development of sustainable packaging coatings, complemented by independent collaborations and initiatives led by major industry players. Many of these efforts, such as the SusInkCoat project, launched several years ago, bring together academic institutions and multinational companies, combining research expertise with industrial scale. Consortium-led programs of this kind not only speed up innovation but also create opportunities to spin off advances in recyclable coating technologies and eco-friendly pigment design.
As recycling becomes a central pillar of future packaging systems, the coating and inks sector faces significant technological demands. These are increasingly being addressed through the use of renewable chemistries and a broader push toward simplified packaging structures. In practice, this often means moving to mono-material solutions, where strong compatibility between layers improves recyclability. By contrast, mixed-material designs raise recycling costs and increase the risk of contamination from plastic laminates, foils, or adhesives, an issue that is particularly critical for fiber-based packaging, where material purity directly affects recycled quality.
23 January 2026
23 January 2026
23 January 2026
23 January 2026