Track: From challenges to achievements

SINGLE‐PACK pursues the creation of a new single-dose container made of 100% paper, free of plastic liners in its composition, and suitable for packaging sauces and olive oil. It thus aims to become the first reference for single-dose recyclable paper packaging in a compostable blue container. The strategy is based on the formulation of coatings, and on establishing a multi-coating concept that, applied to paper, provides the fat resistance, an oxygen barrier and sealing capacity, required by ACESUR products. The project, co-financed by CDTI-FEDER, is being led by Acesur with the collaboration of AINIA as a technological partner.

The best way to innovate is to make ideas tangible and validate them swiftly. We will explain how, at the Eurecat technological centre, we have developed a methodology to help companies to accelerate their innovation processes, from the phases of identifying innovation opportunities to conceiving solutions and validating them through agile concept testing.

The round table will address crucial topics in the field of recycled plastics, from the current market situation to future perspectives in its use in packaging. We will discuss practical experiences, highlighting opportunities and challenges, as well as the impact of taxation and certifications on the industry. We will delve into the relevance of recycled plastic in contact with food and conclude by evaluating the role of chemical recycling in achieving sustainability goals. An essential meeting to understand the current and future dynamics of plastic recycling.

Only one step remains from the approval of new European packaging and packaging waste regulations, after the green light from European Parliament: Once the EU Council gives its official go-ahead, it will be of mandatory compliance by Member States. Its entry into force will entail amendments to Royal Decree 1055/2022 on Packaging and Packaging Waste and introduce, in some cases, more restrictive measures and extend, in turn, the terms for some of them until 2040. These differences with regard to the current regulation may have a direct impact on the companies of the European Union and the management of packaging and waste in the common market. To shed light on the implications for the entire packaging value chain, this talk will address in detail all the key points that the draft law sets out, placing special emphasis on reuse and returnable containers, as well as on prevention and recyclability.

During the sessions, leading companies in the packaging and container value chain will be commenting on the implication of the future European law on packaging and packaging waste with regard to ecodesign, recyclability, compostability, reuse and the introduction of recycled material. The companies will also share their strategies and ongoing developments for regulatory compliance in view of a temporary scenario which, as scheduled, will maintain 2025 and 2030 as the key dates and establish new milestones in 2035 and 2040.

The Ecosmartpack 4.0 project forms part of the field of smart, sustainable and innovative packaging for the cosmetics industry. The project provides for the development of solutions for the transition from the traditional single-use container concept towards a smart, reusable container that also allows for traceability during its many life cycles. The initiative, geared towards Industrial Research, on the one hand envisages the design and execution of the digital platform required for the container's traceability throughout its different useful life cycles and, on the other, the securing of a functional smart packaging prototype, with a traceability identifier in a simulated environment and validation.

The Spanish Branding Association (AEBRAND) proposes to address in this round table the challenges and trends in strategic packaging design and analyse the keys to promoting sustainable innovation. The colloquium will bring together brand managers, agencies and designers who will share success stories and packaging solutions with positive impact.

New technologies applied in recent years to food and beverage packaging have presented a challenge for the right way to position products on the shelves for consumers and all the food distribution channels. The use of new materials, advanced logistics and e-commerce, among other factors, are vital if the industry is going to continue to be highly innovative.

REBO2VINO is an innovation project that aims to analyse the impact and viability of a glass bottle reutilisation system in the Spanish wine making industry, applying the principles of the circular economy. The initiative framework includes performing a market study and the design and deployment of an experimental pilot programme, as well as the creation of digital tools.