Your Knowledge Portal for Sustainable Processing and Packaging Technologies
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With the Sustainable Processing and Packaging initiative, the VDMA wants to make a contribution to objectifying the discussion about packaging. In addition, we would like to highlight the many facets of sustainability, in both processing and packaging technology.
Whether circular economy, function and value of packaging, relevant laws and regulations, infographics, expert interviews and company examples:
In this knowledge portal, we have taken a holistic look at data, facts, and background information on sustainable process and packaging technology for you, prepared it objectively, and bundled it compactly into one information source.
Finding your way through the legal jungle for packaging: Here you will find all relevant information on laws and regulations at European and national level.
The focus of the beverage and liquid food industry is on intelligent circular systems and sustainable resource management in the production and packaging process as well as on the responsible use of raw materials.
The new EU packaging regulation is part of the Green Deal and came into force on February 11, 2025. From August 12, 2026, most of the regulations will be binding in all EU member states. This also puts pressure on the valves industry.
Carelessly discarded packaging pollutes oceans and landscapes worldwide. The images of environmental pollution are well known and the need for action is great. Every individual bears responsibility.
Consumers consider paper/cardboard packaging to be sustainable and the trend is moving towards fiber-based packaging. Flexible paper packaging is experiencing a renaissance.
Paper is a classic packaging material made from fibers. A distinction is made between primary and secondary fibers made from wood or waste paper. This article provides information on the various stages of paper production.
Cardboard packaging is stable and protects against mechanical stress. It is used as product packaging, outer packaging and transport packaging. Here you can find out everything about the production and use of cardboard and corrugated cardboard.
Which packaging is more sustainable, paper or plastic packaging? We have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions in FAQs, which we offer VDMA members exclusively for download.
Plastic packaging usually consists of composite films that are difficult to recycle. Legislation therefore requires materials and combinations that enable a high recycling rate.
Plastics are very versatile due to their properties. Read on to find out how plastics are made, what types there are, what the most common packaging plastics are and the selection criteria.
Focus on the circular economy: countries around the world are enacting regulations on packaging and waste in order to reduce environmental pollution. The overview "Regulations on packaging and packaging waste" shows current and planned measures. Download now!
Which packaging is more sustainable, paper or plastic packaging? There is no general answer to this question, as it depends on the product to be packaged and the resulting requirements.
Optimized packaging design and innovative processing techniques have led to packaging becoming lighter and lighter over the years, with the same or better packaging performance and stability.
Food and packaging machinery plays a crucial role in reducing food waste. Advanced processes in food processing and packaging extend shelf life and protect against spoilage.
From 01.05.2025, packaging licensing in Spain will be extended to industrial packaging. This also applies to transport packaging for machine deliveries.
On December 18, 2023, the EU Council reached an agreement ("general approach") on the proposal for the EU Packaging Regulation, after the EU Parliament had already approved its position on the document on November 22, 2023.
EU Regulation 2022/1616 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food came into force on October 10, 2022, replacing the previously applicable EU Regulation 2008/282. The new regulation applies to all plastic types and recycling technologies.
The European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste in 1994. Since then, it has been updated several times. The aim is to prevent packaging waste and to promote reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of packaging waste.
In an interview at interpack, Vera Fritsche of the VDMA talks about why the EU has launched the new regulation, what its objectives are and when it is due to come into force.
In the VDMA Technology Lounge, innovations on sustainable packaging, digitalization, cleaning, product safety as well as on the topic "Save Food" against food waste will be presented on more than 300 sqm. To touch. To try out. And even to taste. A visit to the lounge thus becomes an experience.
The old industrialised countries export their waste plastic packaging to third countries and emerging markets for disposal or recycling. However, these do not have appropriate infrastructure and technologies for sustainable recycling. As a result, considerable quantities of this waste ultimately end up in the sea via the major river systems of these countries.
The aim of the Plastics Strategy is to use plastics according to the criteria "Reuse - Repair - Recycle". In addition to the recycling aspects, economic advantages such as growth and employment in Europe are to be developed.
With Active Packaging and Intelligent Packaging, the plastic packaging industry has two solutions at its disposal that help to reduce material usage and food losses.
Materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, as well as combinations of those materials and articles or recycled materials and articles used in those materials and articles, shall be manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practice. Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 lays down these rules.
Together with its members from companies, politics, associations and the media, Save Food [1] wants to drive innovation and create solutions to reduce food losses throughout the entire supply chain from field to consumer in dialogue with all stakeholders.
The aim of a recycling economy is not to dispose of the various materials as waste at the end of their useful life or service life, but to use them again as high-quality materials through intelligent processes. This saves energy and protects resources and the environment.
Today, more and more products are packed in plastic packaging of all kinds. But what happens after using the packaging. What quantities are generated in the EU28 and Germany and how are they recycled.
In June 2019, the European Parliament adopted Directive EU 2019/904. According to this directive, from 2021 onwards certain disposable plastic products may no longer be sold in the EU if affordable alternatives are available. The aim is to reduce consumption of the others.
Packaging is one of the most important keys to protecting food from premature spoilage and to supplying people around the world with high-quality food - whether in industrialized, emerging or developing countries.
How can we succeed in creating a circular economy for plastics? What opportunities does the packaging industry have? The initiatives for recycling management in the plastics packaging industry offer numerous impulses for improving the reuse of packaging.
What activities are undertaken to reduce plastic waste? One approach is the recycling and reuse of plastics, which is being pursued by some institutions.
There is a minimum standard for measuring the recyclability of packaging subject to system participation. It provides manufacturers with orientation as to what recycling-friendly packaging design must look like.
Active and intelligent packaging helps to reduce food losses. They provide information on whether the cold chain has been maintained and also provide information on the quality status of the product. In Regulation (EC) No 450/2009 of 29 May 2009, the EU Commission defines the conditions that must be met in order to place active and intelligent materials and articles on the market.
In close cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV), the Chair of Processing Machinery/Processing Technology at the Institute of Natural Materials Technology at the TU Dresden is working on the reduction to substitution of packaging materials of fossil origin.
At interpack, the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will present new technologies and solutions that enable companies in the packaging and food industries to realize digital value creation and enter the circular economy.
“With its high level of process engineering and technological know-how, the mechanical and plant engineering offers numerous solutions that help to use or save energy, water and raw materials efficiently - for sustainable production and packaging.”
Richard Clemens, Managing Director VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery
Study: "Sustainability - an opportunity for mechanical and plant engineering in Germany"
German mechanical engineering plays a central role in implementing the EU Green Deal - process innovation and efficiency are the key to this
Machinery and equipment have an impact on numerous dimensions of sustainability - from energy and water consumption to direct emissions
A survey of mechanical engineering companies shows: 95 percent attach increasing importance to sustainability for business success and 100 percent see it as an opportunity.
The more people live on earth, the more raw materials are consumed. For a long time, products became waste at the end of life. It is much better to preserve the value of products and raw materials for as long as possible and to minimise waste, i.e. to initiate material cycles instead of "consuming" resources. That is the circular economy.
Whether climate protection targets, suitability for grandchildren or human rights due diligence obligations - sustainability is on everyone's lips and the expectations on companies to act responsibly are constantly increasing.
With the "Green Deal", the European Commission has presented a far-reaching program for more climate and environmental protection in the EU in 2019. The central goal is to become climate neutral by 2050, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990 emission levels and to further promote the circular economy in Europe.
Companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector must also set out on the path to climate neutrality. The VDMA's "Climate-neutral production" initiative provides support.
