How sustainable can and must packaging materials be? Is paper as a material really a good solution and how can the circular economy succeed? Questions like these will be discussed by renowned experts at the 11. and June 12, 2024 as part of a symposium at the SKZ-Modellfabrik in Würzburg.
The benefits and effects of packaging materials are the subject of intense debate. The focus is often on current environmental aspects. Packaging fulfills many important functions. First and foremost, it should protect the product, be harmless and inert and ideally cause as little cost as possible. However, the aforementioned harmlessness is also required at the end of the often short life cycle of packaging.
Change in the plastic packaging sector
A great deal has happened here in recent years, particularly in the area of plastic packaging: design before recycling, the trend towards monomaterials, the use of biodegradable plastics and the increased use of recyclates are just a few examples of how packaging has become and continues to become more environmentally friendly. Nevertheless, other materials such as paper are often substituted. In the consumer’s perception, this is often more environmentally friendly. But is that the case? And how can plastic packaging be as efficient, cost-effective, recyclable and climate-neutral as possible? A joint conference of Innoform Coaching and the SKZ Plastics Center would like to discuss these aspects. The industry will meet for this purpose on 11. and June 12, 2024 at the SKZ-Modellfabrik in Würzburg.
Plastics – often better than their reputation
“Plastics are actually ideal materials for packaging, they are easy to modify, inexpensive, very flexible and, in principle, easy to recycle. Our main aim at this event is to encourage an exchange of ideas on how to exploit the potential of plastics,” explains Andre Gstrein, Product Manager at SKZ. Participants can expect a varied conference program entitled “Environmentally friendly plastic packaging – rethinking”. Topics include the evaluation of recyclability, the sensible use of recyclates in the packaging industry, the balancing of zero carbon strategies and proven packaging requirements such as convenience and product protection. The use of biopolymers and paper as a trend for packaging materials is also being discussed.
Relaxed evening program planned
There will of course be plenty of time for discussion and exchange with the experts present, and a relaxed evening event is also planned to deepen the specialist knowledge in a relaxed atmosphere over a meal together.
Picture above: On 11. and 12. June 2024 the SKZ and Innoform are organizing the symposium “Environmentally friendly plastic packaging – rethinking” in Würzburg. Photo: FSKZ e. V.
