The European Federation of Wooden Pallet and Packaging manufacturers (FEFPEB) has announced a new PR campaign to promote wood as the raw material of choice for pallets and packaging.

Entitled Packaging from Nature, the initiative will communicate the economic and environmental benefits of timber use in packaging and pallets, particularly compared with alternative materials such as plastics.

It will be active across Europe, with the aim of presenting “a powerful, accurate and consistent message” about timber use in the industry, in countries represented by FEFPEB, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and the UK.

It is being funded by FEFPEB full members, representing the manufacturing sector, as well as pallet pools and associate members.

The campaign will be in contact with the major industry and logistics magazines and online news sites across Europe, targeting packaging users and decision makers, as well as NGOs. FEFPEB is also encouraging its members to include the logo and website on their company websites, and to make use of the other resources to educate customers on the benefits of timber pallets and packaging.

FEFPEB president Gil Covey said: “The launch of a Europe-wide campaign is great news for the European timber packaging and pallets industry. Timber is the first choice in the manufacture of these essential products because it is better for the environment, is less expensive and sustains many more jobs - at least half a million in Europe alone - than any other packaging material.”

“We estimate that €40 billion worth of product is moved on wooden packaging and pallets every year in Europe alone. In the face of increasing competition from plastics and other competing materials we need to ensure that businesses across Europe have a good understanding of the clear advantages of using wood.”

FEFPEB currently represents more than 20 associations, which account for 1,000 companies.

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