An Opportunity for Metal Packaging

The sustainability of packaging is no longer measured solely by the material it is made from. With the entry into force of the new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), manufacturers must also consider the environmental impact of their packaging throughout its entire life cycle.

This means that packaging design, recyclability and the ease with which materials can be recovered will play an increasingly important role, both from an environmental and an economic perspective.

What is Extended Producer Responsability (EPR)?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a model promoted by the European Union that requires producers to finance the collection, sorting and recycling of the packaging they place on the market.

Its objective is to foster an increasingly circular economy by encouraging the production of packaging that is easier to recycle and has a lower environmental impact.

For this reason, EPR systems are evolving towards a model in which producers’ financial contributions are no longer the same for all materials but instead reflect their actual performance within recycling processes.

Eco-modulation: rewarding better-designed packaging

One of the most significant developments is the introduction of eco-modulation.

This system adjusts the fees paid by each producer according to criteria such as:

· the recyclability of the packaging;

· the ease of separating its materials;

· the value of the recovered materials;

· its integration into existing recycling systems.

Ultimately, packaging that contributes more effectively to the circular economy may benefit from more favourable economic conditions.

Why do steel packaging solutions have an advantage?

Steel is one of the materials that best meets the criteria promoted by European legislation.

Its main advantages include:

Permanent recyclability without losing its mechanical properties.

Simple magnetic separation, greatly facilitating sorting processes.

High scrap value, encouraging effective material recovery.

High recycling rates within European waste management systems.

For this reason, several European countries already incorporate criteria that favour metal packaging within their EPR schemes.

What does this mean for food manufacturers?

For manufacturers of food, cosmetics and industrial products, choosing packaging will no longer be based solely on cost or functionality.

It will become increasingly important to select packaging that:

· helps ensure compliance with European regulations;

· contributes to the company’s sustainability objectives;

· optimises costs associated with EPR schemes;

· strengthens the brand’s environmental image in the eyes of consumers.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: Choosing the right packaging today can represent a significant competitive advantage in the years ahead.

Boixadós’ Commitment

At Boixadós Metal Packaging, we work to ensure that our customers have metal packaging solutions that are fully prepared to meet future regulatory and environmental challenges.

We manufacture steel packaging tailored to the requirements of the food industry, combining quality, food safety, production flexibility and a design focused on the principles of the circular economy.

Because sustainability is not only a regulatory requirement; it is also an opportunity to create packaging that is more efficient, more responsible and ready for the future.