Italian group aims to offer smart products for a sustainable future, in response to the European Union’s new packaging regulations
The EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is challenging the fresh produce industry to rethink its packaging systems.
As a full-service provider, South Tyrol-based Frutmac says it is delivering intelligent, flexible and future-proof solutions, uniting machine technology, packaging material, and service expertise in what it calls a “seamless concept”.
With PPWR now in force and a transition deadline looming in 2026, fresh produce packers across Europe are facing a monumental shift.
From 2030 onwards, most single-use plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables under 1.5kg will be banned, and strict recyclability and recycled content requirements will apply across all packaging types.
This isn’t just an ecological imperative, it’s a technical and logistical challenge for producers, packers, and retailers alike.
“The PPWR challenges us to rethink packaging from the ground up,” says Frutmac CEO Stephan Christoph. “At Frutmac, we see this as a unique opportunity to combine our technological leadership with real sustainability. Our goal is to empower the entire supply chain, from growers to retailers, with smart, future-ready packaging systems.”
The company says its approach to PPWR compliance is holistic, combining sustainable packaging materials with adaptable machine solutions and integrated services.
It strives to help clients navigate complex compliance challenges while maintaining product protection, branding potential and cost efficiency.
One key innovation is the BlitzSolution packaging concept. Using trays and lids made from corrugated cardboard, grass paper (40 per cent fibre), or Silphie, the Blitz-system eliminates plastic altogether.
Available in two lid variants – WRAP (ideal for robust fruits like apples or citrus) and FLAT (for soft produce like tomatoes or cherries) – the system offers adaptability, while lids and trays can be fully customised and printed, serving as a sustainable branding surface.
Central to this system is the Blitzmatic+ Pro machine, Frutmac explains, which applies cardboard lids automatically to trays with varying dimensions and calibrations. Compatible with existing filling systems, it achieves speeds of up to 60 packs per minute.
For smaller volumes or gradual transitions, Frutmac offers the FlapSolution. This includes trays with side flaps closed either via eco-zipper, glue, or labelling (via Stickmatic).
All tray types come in wrap or flat lid versions and are produced from the same PPWR-compliant materials.
The company says it “goes beyond machines and materials”, providing end-to-end project support, from packaging design and feasibility studies to machine planning and after-sales service, with solutions tailored to specific customer needs.
“We develop our solutions hand-in-hand with our customers, because every product and every packline has different needs,” adds Christoph.
“Our innovations must not only meet regulatory requirements but also deliver value in the daily operations of our partners.
