30.06.2026 | Sustainability
When packaging is Designed for Recycling (DfR): we talked about it with Montello S.p.A.
A talk with Montello Spa about the new PPWR Regulationd and its implications for producers
The introduction of the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)marks a significant transformation for the European packaging industry. The regulation is set to reshape approaches to packaging design, material selection and recyclability, requiring the entire value chain to reconsider how sustainability is assessed and implemented in practice.
In this context, Niederwieser is engaging with key stakeholders to promote a balanced discussion around packaging sustainability. Among them is the Advanced Packaging Association (APA), an organization that brings together actors from across the packaging value chain, supports technical research and contributes to the Europeandebate on recyclability. Through its work, APA promotes an approach based on scientific evidence, technical data and industrial experience.
Supporting a more informed packaging sustainability debate
The transition towards a more circular packaging system requires shared knowledge and a common understanding of how materials perform in real conditions. APA’s role is to support this dialogue by connecting different actors across the value chain and bringing together technical expertise from industry, research and policy environments. Rather than focusing only on individual materials or solutions, the association promotes an approach based on evidence-based assessment, where packaging performance is evaluated through scientific data and practical experience. "Our role is to bring together stakeholders from across the value chain and support a more informed dialogue by sharing data, technical insights, and practical experience," APA explains. This approach is reflected in the association’s activities, which include industrial-scale recycling trials, Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), environmental impact evaluations and technical analyses. By combining different sources of information, APA aims to provide a clearer picture of packaging behaviour throughout the entire value chain.
Recyclability: the gap between theory and practice
One of the most complex aspects of the PPWR implementation is the assessment of real recyclability. While regulatory frameworks and technical guidelines provide an essential basis, evaluating how packaging performs in existing recycling systems remains a challenge. According to APA, "one of the key challenges is the gap between theoretical assessments and real-world performance". In practice, recycling outcomes depend on multiple factors, including waste stream composition, sorting efficiency, available technologies and processing conditions.
This is particularly relevant as concepts such asDesign for Recycling and Recyclability at Scale continue to evolve within the PPWR framework. For this reason, industrial-scale trials play a crucial role in complementing existing assessment methodologies. Testing materials under real operating conditions provides insights that cannot always be captured through theoretical evaluation alone, helping create a stronger link between regulatory expectations and industrial reality.
Flexible packaging: evaluating materials within the recycling system
The discussion around recyclability is particularly relevant for PE-based flexible films containing polyamide, where the evaluation of material structures requires a broader perspective. According to APA, recyclability should not be assessed by looking only at the presence of individual components, but by considering how the complete packaging structure interacts with sorting and recycling systems. "Available evidence shows that, when correctly designed and used in limited proportions, polyamide can be compatible with existing recycling streams," says APA. This approach underlines the importance of considering the entire recycling system, including material ratios, collection and sorting processes, and the technical capabilities of recycling facilities. At the same time, APA emphasizes that recyclability represents only one element of sustainable packaging performance. A complete assessment must also consider the role packaging plays in protecting products, reducing losses and improving resource efficiency. "Sustainability should not be assessed through a single parameter," the association notes. This perspective is particularly important for applications such as food packaging, where material choices must balance recyclability, functionality and environmental impact.
Turning regulatory objectives into practical solutions
As the PPWR moves towards implementation, the integration of technical data and industrial experience will be essential to ensure that regulatory goals can be translated into workable solutions. For APA, future progress will depend oncontinued improvement of recycling methodologies, greater alignment between assessment approaches and stronger use of industrial-scale evidence. "Data and experience provide a factual basis for aligning policy objectives with industrial reality, supporting more applicable and consistent outcomes". Beyond technical developments, collaboration across the packaging value chain will remain a key factor in building a shared understanding of recyclability and sustainability. Manufacturers, recyclers, researchers and policymakers will need to work together to ensure that new requirements are both ambitious and achievable. Ultimately, the future of sustainable packaging will depend on the ability to combine regulatory ambition, scientific evidence and industrial expertise, creating a system where environmental objectives are supported by measurable performance and real-world feasibility.
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