SÜDPACK Newsletter
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10/06/2026 
3 min. For a long time, sustainability was a goal that was talked about. With the PPWR, it becomes a concrete obligation. For the packaging industry, the regulation marks a true turning point – ushering in a phase where solid evidence matters more than good intentions.
When Guidance Becomes Binding
At the end of March – quite literally at the last minute – the EU published its implementation guidelines for the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), which had been announced for the first quarter of 2026. Even though the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen and Metal Packaging Europe (MPE) continue to call for further clarification despite the progress made, one fact remains: the new obligations take effect on August 12, 2026.
This marks the end of a phase in which sustainability was often treated primarily as a strategic priority. Going forward, proof will matter more than declarations of intent. The EU has made it unmistakably clear that there will be no further grace period. This makes it all the more important to make constructive use of the remaining transition phase.
Preparations are already in full swing across Europe. Existing packaging is being put to the test, designs are being optimized, more sustainable material options are being feverishly discussed, and life cycle analyses are being carried out. One thing is becoming increasingly clear: the PPWR not only affects individual packaging or applications but also changes our understanding of what packaging will have to achieve in the future.
… primarily on four topics that are crucial for future PPWR compliance:
→ Material reduction,
→ recyclability,
→ the use of recyclates, and
→ bio-based material structures.
These are exactly the aspects the industry is actively working on right now.
Film manufacturers like SÜDPACK are at the beginning of the process chain – and therefore at a crucial point in the transformation process of the plastics and packaging industry. Our products are a key building block on the path to more sustainable packaging solutions. That is why we set the course early on: with new production lines, internal materials management including our own regranulation and compounding, recyclable high-performance films and packaging concepts for a wide range of applications as well as a robust database for subsequent verification of PPWR compliance.
On top of that, SPQ (Sustainable Print Quality) introduces a new printing technology that helps to keep environmental impact in packaging print production as low as possible.
The scale of the challenge is also reflected in the PPWR Mood Index 2025, a reality check by Fraunhofer IML, Logistikbude, and the Stiftung Initiative Mehrweg. According to the study, only around ten percent of the surveyed companies in the German-speaking region are truly well prepared. Almost every second company overestimates its own implementation status. At the same time, many are asking for specific guidelines, targeted advice and training.
The takeaway is as simple as it is important: information is a key to future viability. Companies with a strong knowledge base generally achieve a much higher level of implementation.
For SÜDPACK, it is clear that sustainability cannot be understood as the sum of individual measures. It only creates impact when it is approached holistically and embedded across the entire value chain. That is exactly why we focus not only on our products, but also on actively shaping the future of packaging –and supporting our customers on their path toward PPWR compliance.
Read more: Part 2 – What the PPWR regulation specifically requires