The European Moulded Pulp Producers Association (EMPPA) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to strengthen the Single Market for circular products and secondary raw materials through a Circular Economy Act (CEA). EMPPA calls on the Commission to align the CEA closely with the EU Bioeconomy Strategy to make it a segway for Europe’s transition towards a competitive circular bioeconomy.
“The CEA can become a gamechanger if it supports innovation in fibre-moulding technologies and creates a level playing field for frontrunners in the circular bioeconomy,” said Tahsin Dag, President of EMPPA. “Europe has abundant renewable feedstock such as recycled paper, cardboard and agricultural by-products to produce high-quality fibre-based packaging without relying on fossil resources.”
EMPPA notes that the moulded pulp industry has already invested billions of Euros in bio-based materials, new production capacities and recycling technologies to accelerate the EU’s shift toward climate neutrality. However, the sector’s potential is still constrained by high energy costs, cheap plastic, volatile raw material markets and fragmented Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.
EMPPA calls on the European Commission to:
Introduce EU-wide harmonised EPR systems with eco-modulated fees rewarding products’ environmental performance;
Expand the EU Ecolabel to include natural fibres from annual plants such as hemp;
Establish mandatory minimum recycled content targets for public procurement;
Set minimum collection targets for paper and cardboard from municipal waste;
Recognise natural fibres and biopolymer-coated moulded pulp as mono-materials suitable for standard paper recycling.
“With clear and coherent policy incentives, the EU can reduce its dependence on fossil materials, boost local value creation and drive industrial innovation,” added Alexander Schulz, EMPPA Head of Public Affairs and Press. “A well-designed Circular Economy Act can make Europe a global leader in sustainable packaging and circular materials.”
About EMPPA
EMPPA was founded in 2022 with the mission to promote sustainable, plastic-free packaging and containers made from renewable raw materials and the implementation of the circular economy. Our association embraces the entire ecosystem of feedstock suppliers, moulded pulp producers, technology and service providers, recyclers and customers of advanced moulded pulp products. Today we have more than twenty members from 12 european countries and we are still growing. Find more information under EMPPA and here.
Press contact:
Alexander Schulz
Head of Public Affairs and Press
E-Mail: alexander.schulz@emppa.eu