PPWR is now in force. What happens next for the packaging industry?
Key insights of Packaging Europe’s Sustainability Perspectives podcast
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) officially began to apply on August 12, 2026, marking an important milestone for the packaging industry. However, as discussed in the latest episode of Packaging Europe's Sustainability Perspectives podcast, this date represents only the beginning of a much longer implementation journey.
In the episode, Martina Schildendorfer, Innovation & Product Sustainability Manager at Constantia Flexibles, joins Elisabeth Skoda from Packaging Europe to discuss industry readiness, upcoming requirements, implementation challenges, and what companies should be preparing for as additional PPWR obligations and secondary legislation are introduced in the coming years.
The conversation highlights the importance of understanding not only the requirements already in force, but also the measures that will gradually come into effect between now and 2030. It also provides practical insights into how packaging stakeholders can navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and prepare for future developments.
The podcast is part of Constantia Flexibles' broader efforts to contribute to industry discussions and help customers better understand the implications of PPWR through expert insights, educational content, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
While some PPWR details are still evolving, the overall direction is clear. What is already possible is to review packaging portfolios at a high level and identify potential areas for improvement.
We see significant value in starting the transition early. Initial projects with recycled content show that testing, learning, and building experience today can help reduce future implementation challenges.
We believe collaboration across the value chain will be critical for success. Achieving circularity will require aligned efforts on packaging design, recycled material availability, regulatory clarity, and recycling infrastructure.