Webinar on packaging and labeling innovations under the new PPWR regulation: watch the full recording.
On June 24, we highlighted one of the most pressing issues for those working with packaging and labels: the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation ( PPWR ). The webinar, held in collaboration with Fedrigoni , offered practical insights, case studies, and operational guidance to help companies prepare for the new European packaging regulations.
During the meeting, we explored the changes affecting packaging, labels, and adhesive materials with the new EU Regulation on packaging and packaging waste, focusing on the practical impacts for businesses and the technical solutions to consider in light of upcoming regulatory deadlines.
Watch the full webinar recording
What is PPWR and why does it also concern labels?
The PPWR , acronym for Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation , is the new European regulation that introduces common rules for packaging and packaging waste throughout the European Union.
Its goal is to make packaging more sustainable throughout its entire life cycle: from design to production, all the way to waste management and recycling.
One of the most important points that emerged during the webinar was that PPWR doesn't just concern the container or primary packaging. Labels, adhesives, inks, finishes, and pressure-sensitive materials can also impact the overall recyclability of the packaging.
For this reason, companies will have to start considering packaging as a single system: the packaging body, label, and adhesive must be designed consistently with the product's end-of-life.
The main deadlines to know
The webinar analyzed some of the most relevant deadlines related to the PPWR.
Among these, one of the key dates is August 2026 , when progressive obligations and restrictions on specific substances, such as PFAS in food packaging, will come into force.
Further important steps will follow in the coming years, including the producer responsibility register, compostability requirements for some labels, and, from 2030, more stringent requirements for large-scale recyclability and recycled content in packaging.
This means that companies still have time to prepare, but not enough to postpone technical evaluations. Adapting packaging may require testing, verification, discussions with suppliers, graphic design changes, and internal validation.
What changes for companies
One of the central concepts of the webinar was the move towards a mandatory eco-design logic, or Design for Recycling .
Simply choosing a bottle that's supposedly recyclable won't be enough. The entire system must be evaluated: container, label, adhesive, inks, and finishes must not compromise the recycling flow.
Another important issue concerns producer responsibility , which will be held accountable for the entire life cycle of the packaging. This could also influence environmental contributions and economic assessments, rewarding more recyclable solutions and penalizing less efficient packaging.
Companies will also have to require greater transparency from their suppliers, through technical documentation, certifications, and information on recyclability, material composition, absence of critical substances, and recycled content.
How labels and self-adhesive solutions will change
PPWR pushes companies towards more consistent end-of-life solutions for packaging.
During the webinar, several technical approaches were addressed, including:
single-material solutions;
labels that can be easily removed during washing processes;
wash-off stickers;
compostable materials;
reduction of material usage;
use of recycled or bio-based materials;
optimizing the origin of raw materials.
The key point is that the label must not hinder the recycling or compostability of the packaging. In some cases, a seemingly appropriate choice from a graphic or functional standpoint can create problems in the material recovery process.
The case studies analyzed during the webinar
To make the topic more concrete, the webinar presented several case studies related to packaging and label combinations.
Examples covered include:
rPP label on PET container
PET is a highly recyclable material, but it can become contaminated if the label and adhesive are not designed to separate properly during washing.
Paper label on HDPE bottle
The combination of paper and plastic can create impurities in HDPE recycling, making a single-material approach preferable.
Recyclable paper on compostable packaging
If the packaging is compostable, the label should also follow the same fate and be compatible with industrial composting.
PP tamper-evident seal on cardboard box
In the pharmaceutical sector, a plastic film applied to a paper carton can complicate the recycling of the cellulose component.
Open and close labels for wipes
Multi-material solutions can make recycling more complex and increase the risk of downgrading the recovered material.
These examples show how the issue is not only normative, but also planning and production-related.
How to prepare for PPWR
One of the most important operational suggestions that emerged from the webinar is to start with a mapping of the current packaging.
Companies should inventory each package by breaking it down into its main components: body, label, adhesive, inks, and finishes. This allows them to identify potentially critical combinations, such as non-separable paper/plastic laminations or plastic films applied to cellulose packaging.
The second step is to work on technical adaptation : testing wash-off adhesives, evaluating single-material solutions, verifying recycled or compostable materials, and requesting technical documentation from suppliers.
Preparing in advance means reducing the risk of having to urgently intervene on graphics, materials, or processes that have already been approved.
Want to know if your label is consistent with your packaging?
After viewing the recording, you may want to determine whether your current labels are suitable for the changes required by the PPWR.
We offer a free initial analysis to assess the consistency of packaging, labels, adhesive materials, and potential technical issues.
👉 Request a free analysis of your label by filling out the form on this page: https://www.alkamsrl.com/en/contatti
A preliminary comparison can help you identify any areas for improvement and plan ahead for updates to materials, adhesives, finishes or layouts.
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