Packaging manufacturer Sonoco has announced that it has become a member of the Europen initiative. Europen, an acronym for the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment, is a cross-industry association representing the packaging industry value chain. Established in 1993 and headquartered in Belgium, it aims to harmonise and make the European market for packaging and packaged product more accessible while protecting products and the environment. Packaging, packaging waste and the environment are all key focus topics, independent of any specific packaging material or system.
“As sustainability is a major focus for our company and the development of our packaging, Sonoco purposefully chose to join an association that places protection of products and the environment in such high regard,” said Skye Oudemans, sustainability manager Europe at Sonoco,
With the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive in sight, it is important that the packaging value chain join together in an effort to achieve appropriate EU legislation for packaging, according to Francesca Stevens, managing director at Europen. Whereas the previous revision of the PPWD in 2018 was focused on targets for collection and recycling rates, this time the European Commission is also looking at the areas of prevention and reuse. The aim is to ensure that all packaging on the EU market is ‘recyclable or reusable in an economically viable way by 2030’.
“We are delighted to have Sonoco on board as its newest member,” said Stevens. “We look forward to working together with Sonoco to support the ambitious targets of the Green Deal and shape a circular packaging industry.”
Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of packaging. With net sales of approximately $5.6 billion in 2021, the Company has approximately 22,000 employees working in more than 300 operations in 32 countries.