Circular Economy

Matthias Giebel
23. September 2026

Packaging volumes in the EU: a fact check (and a more nuanced view)

In July 2026, the EU’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) published a study on the quantities of packaging placed on the market between 2011 and 2025. Its headline alone attracted considerable attention. It made two key statements. First: quantities stay significant. And second: plastic was the only packaging material to grow – by 11 %. We […]

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Matthias Giebel
29. June 2026

Insights from the Plastics Recycling Show Europe 2026

For the packaging industry, the Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRS) is a key meeting point. Technological developments, regulatory requirements and future market trends in the field of sustainable plastic packaging can be identified and assessed here. We report on key themes and insights from award-winning applications. A brief summary upfront: sustainability and circularity are increasingly […]

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Matthias Giebel

Interpack 2026: Summary and Assessment

Was Interpack 2026 the hoped-for mood booster for the packaging industry? Opinions differ. On the one hand, it confirms its role as the international leading trade fair for processing and packaging and remains strong in terms of exhibitor numbers and breadth of topics. But there are also declining trends. We take a general look at […]

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Matthias Giebel

Paper in Flexible Packaging: Niche, Trend or a Thing of the Past?

Is paper in flexible packaging still on trend or already over? This question lies at the heart of a widely debated transformation. Under the buzzword “paperisation”, it drives dynamics in our industry like few other topics. Matthias Giebel placed the topic at the centre of his presentation at the INNOFIBER conference by Innoform. His conclusion: […]

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Matthias Giebel
24. March 2026

The state of packaging recycling in Germany and Europe

What is the state of packaging recycling in Germany and Europe? We summarize the facts for you, highlight progress, and identify next steps. To do so, we analyzed current figures and studies from the Federal Environment Agency, the Central Agency Packaging Register, and Plastics Recyclers Europe. A brief conclusion upfront: Mechanical recycling continues to dominate. […]

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Matthias Giebel

New study on reusable targets in the PPWR

BP Consultants conducted a study on reusable and reuse targets in the PPWR on behalf of BKV GmbH (the think tank of the German plastics industry). Against the backdrop of the use of reusable and single-use packaging, the study addresses both the regulatory framework and the current state of practice regarding the relevant plastic transport […]

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Matthias Giebel
15. December 2025

PCR shortage and PPWR: status and strategies

BP Consultants has prepared a comprehensive status report on behalf of Interzero on the increasing PCR shortage under the requirements of the PPWR. We present the key findings in this article. We highlight the central role of PCR (post-consumer recyclates) in the EU agenda, provide a status update on the current use of recyclates, examine […]

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Matthias Giebel

EPR systems in Europe: monopoly or competition?

Looking at Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems in Europe, one finds a colourful mix of different approaches – from monopoly through quasi-monopoly to competitive models. This raises the question: which approach works best? A recent study examines precisely this question. We have analysed the study and present the most important findings in a compact form. […]

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Astrid Fleschhut
18. September 2025

Slowly but surely, things are happening in the field of recycling

The topic of recycling is increasingly becoming the focus of politics, business, and society. We want to focus on the positive and show that, despite all the problems, things are slowly but surely moving forward in several areas of the economy. We take a look at advanced recycling technologies for flexible packaging and explore their […]

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Matthias Giebel
17. September 2025

Action needed! The PPWR puts industrial packaging in the spotlight

The new European Packaging Regulation PPWR will in future regulate and impose obligations not only on B2C packaging, but also on B2B packaging. This is a significant development, as commercial packaging accounts for 53 percent of the total volume of packaging waste. In our article, we highlight the challenges for industrial companies, look at the […]

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