EUROPEN members operate across the five families of materials used in packaging. EUROPEN is dedicated to satisfactorily resolving the environmental challenges facing the packaging chain in an active and co-operative manner without favouring any specific packaging material or system.
Glass is produced from sand (around 40%), limestone (around 10%) and soda ash (i.e. sodium carbonate, around 15%). Sodium carbonate helps the sand melt evenly while limestone is used to increase its durability. The remaining 35% of the mixture is made up of other compounds and recycled glass. This mixture is then heated in a furnace at a temperature of approximately 1700 degrees Celsius. Recycled glass melts at a lower temperature than the raw materials, so for every 10% of recycled glass in the mix, 2.5% less energy is used.
All packaging that is placed on EU market must comply with several standards and requirements that are set out by EU legislation. The Essential Requirements, which can be found in the Annex of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (Directive 94/62/EC), outline the requirements specific to the manufacturing and composition of packaging as well as to the reusable to the recoverable nature of packaging.
For glass packaging coming into contact with food, either directly or indirectly, there is additional EU legislation governing the manufacturing process. The Food Contact Materials Regulation sets out rules on the composition of the materials that come into contact with food, and establishes a list of substances that are allowed for use in their manufacture
Current recycling target | 2025 | 2030 | |
Glass | 60 % | 70% | 75% |
Current recycling target
|
2025 | 2030 | |
Ferrous metals
|
50 %
|
70%
|
80%
|
Aluminium |
50%
|
50% |
60%
|
The primary raw material for the production of paper and corrugated cardboard comes from pine trees. After the trees have matured, they are harvested and replaced with seedlings for reforestation. The trunks of the trees are shipped to a pulp mill, where the tree trunks undergo a kraft process where wood chips are broken down into fibrous pulp. These fibres are then sent to the paper machine where they are formed, pressed, dried, and rolled into rolls of kraft paper, which are sent to corrugating plants to be made into cardboard. They are then sent to the filler, where the cardboard sheets are formed into the final container.
Only a few other raw materials are needed to make a finished cardboard box. For example, corn starch glue is used to bond the corrugated medium to the liner sheets and waxes made from paraffin or vegetable oils can be applied to make a water- or grease-resistant container for food contact products.
All packaging that is placed on EU market must comply with several standards and requirements that are set out by EU legislation. The Essential Requirements, which can be found in the Annex of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (Directive 94/62/EC) outline the requirements specific to the manufacturing and composition of packaging as well as to the reusable to the recoverable nature of packaging.
For cardboard packaging coming into contact with food, either directly or indirectly, there is additional EU legislation governing the manufacturing process. The Food Contact Materials Regulation sets out rules on the composition of the materials that come into contact with food, and establishes a list of substances that are allowed for use in their manufacture.
For cardboard packaging specifically the producers have also to prove that they comply with the “Good Manufacturing Practice” (GMP). GMP is a standard which covers the manufacturing of packaging made of corrugated and solid board in order to ensure that all reasonable precautions have been taken in the manufacturing process.
Current recycling target |
2025 | 2030 | |
Paper and Cardboard |
60 % |
75% |
85% |
The American Robert Gair invented by accident the pre-cut foldable cardboard box in the late 19th Century. Gair, who worked as a printer and paper-bag producer used his metal ruler to crease bags, but on one occasion it shifted into position and cut them. Gair discovered that by cutting and creasing in one operation he could make prefabricated paperboard boxes. This idea was then used for cardboard boxes as well.
Current recycling target
|
2025 | 2030 | |
Plastics
|
22,5 %
|
50% | 55% |
Current recycling target
|
2025 | 2030 | |
Wood |
15 %
|
25%
|
30%
|