Italian post-harvest handling and packaging specialist Sorma Group has set out its vision for the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has the potential to become an opportunity for innovation in the fresh produce sector by striking the right balance between the circular economy, product preservation and production efficiency.
That is according to Italy-based Sorma Group, which has outlined its vision of PPWR’s implementation.
The post-harvest handling and packaging specialist said it is ready to support fresh produce businesses and retailers through the transition to the new rules, with packaging and labelling materials as well as technologies capable of meeting legal requirements while also adding value in the market.
“The PPWR represents a challenge, but also a significant opportunity to rethink packaging aimed at optimising processes, reducing waste and standing out in the market,” explained Silvia Albanese, marketing specialist at Sorma Group.
“Our role is to work with our partners to identify practical solutions that promote the circular economy without compromising on productivity, packaging quality, product value and shelf-life.”
Sorma said it has been investing in solutions aligned with PPWR for several years, in terms of mono-material packaging, packaging weight reduction and sustainable materials.
In the first case, the most recent example is Sorma Clipless, which was unveiled at the most recent edition of Fruit Logistica.
The group’s R&D team is also continuously working on pack engineering to reduce the weight and volume of packaging while maintaining its effectiveness, it continued.
One example is the work carried out on the Vertbag net, whose weight has been gradually reduced from an initial 70-80g/m² to the current 40g/m², while film thickness has decreased from 70 to approximately 45 microns.
Materials research is also central to this effort, through the progressive expansion of cellulose-based materials and recyclable plastics for nets and film.
”The challenge for the fresh produce industry is not only to identify the right packaging, but also to comply with the regulation from a production, organisational and administrative standpoint,” the group stated.
”Sorma Group’s expertise allows the company to play a broad and thorough supporting role in these areas too.”
One key issue, it pointed out, concerns the cost of adapting production lines to packaging that meets the requirements of the new regulation.
”With its innovations, Sorma focuses on ensuring new packaging is compatible with machinery already in place, an approach that allows partners to manage innovation investment efficiently,” it said.
”Backward compatibility is indeed a central design objective, as it enables a transition that is gradual and economically sustainable, making the most of investments already made and limiting the environmental impact associated with replacing production lines.”
Administrative challenges will also impact companies’ operations, as they will need to produce new technical documentation and declarations of conformity.
”As a comprehensive technical partner – offering a service across machinery, packaging and labelling – Sorma represents a one-stop shop for collating this material, simplifying the work of fresh produce businesses,” it added.
”In an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, in-depth knowledge of the entire packaging process makes it possible to speed up compliance with the new rules, reduce the risk of errors, and approach the requirements set by legislation and the market with greater confidence.”
