EU packaging rules boost recycled fiber use in European packaging sector

New European packaging and waste‑reduction legislation, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and weight‑based extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees, is increasing pressure on the industry to shift from virgin pulp to recycled fibers. MM Board & Paper, a Danish packaging group, argues that recycling fibres should be treated as a valuable raw material rather than waste, noting that paper fibres can be recycled more than 25 times with little loss of quality and that recycled paper production uses significantly less water, energy and CO₂ than virgin fibre production.

A survey of 750 medium‑sized firms in Germany, France, the UK, the Benelux and Italy shows that 88 % consider greenhouse‑gas reduction important, and 56 % now see successful decarbonisation as a competitive advantage. German SME owner Claus Jung says the regulatory burden consumes 30‑40 % of his time, but also acknowledges that replacing plastic with paper and adopting recycling‑based packaging can strengthen market positioning. The study highlights financing and regulatory uncertainty as the main obstacles to deeper sustainable investments.