Publication date: 2025-04-18
In February 2025, the European Parliament and Council officially adopted Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste, known as PPWR. The regulation aims to reduce the volume of packaging waste and promote reuse and recycling in all EU Member States. These new rules have significant implications for packaging producers – including the plastic bag sector.
Key Objectives of PPWR
PPWR introduces several core requirements that all packaging placed on the EU market must comply with:
- Minimization of packaging weight and volume
Packaging must be designed to use the minimum amount of material necessary to ensure product protection, usability, transport and required information labelling.
- Mandatory recyclability
As of 1 January 2030, all packaging must be designed for recycling, based on criteria set out by the Commission.
- Minimum recycled content requirements
Targets have been set for minimum amounts of post-consumer recycled plastic in packaging – e.g. up to 65% for single-use beverage bottles by 2040.
- Clear packaging labelling
All packaging must include harmonised labels indicating material type, recycling instructions, and recycled content.
What Does This Mean for Plastic Bag Manufacturers?
The regulation imposes specific expectations on producers of HDPE and LDPE film-based packaging:
- Reduce primary material use
This will drive greater use of recycled LDPE and promote circular practices.
- Re-design of products for recyclability
Films must be monomaterial, with no contaminating additives or complex laminates.
- Full transparency in materials and documentation
Including recycled content declarations and traceability across the value chain.
How Uniplast Is Responding to PPWR
At Uniplast, we actively align our products and processes with the principles of PPWR. Our approach includes:
- Maximising internal recycling
Through advanced in-house regranulation, we reuse defective film products, reducing waste and lowering reliance on virgin polymers.
- Eco-design of packaging
Our plastic bags are developed with material efficiency and recyclability in mind, without compromising quality or performance.
- Material transparency
We provide our clients with detailed information on material content, recyclability and responsible end-of-life practices.
Benefits for Our Clients
Working with Uniplast means:
- Receiving PPWR-compliant products, ready for future regulatory audits,
- Meeting corporate sustainability goals,
- Access to innovative and proven eco-efficient packaging solutions.
Conclusion
PPWR is not just a legislative challenge – it’s an opportunity.
At Uniplast, we see the regulation as a positive push for cleaner, smarter and more circular packaging. We’re ready – and we help our partners be ready, too.
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