Just a few weeks ago, plastic packaging was frowned upon by many consumers. In times of Covid-19, the focus has shifted to hygiene and consumers prefer to buy packaged products, especially when it comes to food. We spoke to packaging consultant Carolina Schweig about sustainability and the impact of the pandemic on the packaging world.
Mrs Schweig, respiratory masks and disinfectants are currently among the most sought-after goods. Hygiene has become a purchasing criterion, especially for food. Has plastic packaging recently become the first choice in this respect?
Carolina Schweig: I take a very critical view of this big movement on the subject of hygiene. Fears are being aroused to justify the use of more plastic. For example, film packaging is already being equipped with additional features, such as additional lacquer or silver coatings that are absolutely unnecessary and disrupt or even prevent recycling. But consumers are afraid of catching the virus through product contact and feel they are better protected with even more plastic. If you now ask consumers whether paper or plastic is more hygienic, plastic will certainly win.
Another aspect that is currently having a negative impact is the low oil price. Before the crisis, there was a real boom in recycling and recyclable materials. Now the raw materials for plastic are so cheap that the opposite could happen. With the consequence that recycling takes a back seat. This can become a real challenge for the circular economy.
Bad times for sustainability or also an opportunity?
Caroline SchweigEven during the crisis, we should no longer treat sustainability as a kind of green appendix, but rather as an economic factor look at it. If we now define sensible sustainability targets, then everything - machines, materials or services - can be Further developed for the future become.
Acting with foresight during the crisis
We should therefore seize the opportunities that now present themselves. Because many things are being scrutinised in light of the coronavirus crisis, such as supply chains. Logistics routes will change in the future and people are already asking how we can bring more production back to Europe. This is associated with a Technological upswing, more automation and digitalisation. Perhaps we will even travel less, because many things work digitally.
At the moment, however, a public battle is being fought: while some want to return to pre-coronavirus normality as quickly as possible, others believe it is more sensible to wait before easing measures, to see opportunities and to build something new. It's now also about: let's make it, utilise the crisis as a positive competitive factor or is it only seen as a brake. If those who act with a forward-looking approach prevail, then this will also go hand in hand with greater sustainability.
Holistic sustainability pays off
In discussions with companies, we have also found that companies that cultivate a collaborative management style, involve their employees in decision-making and work in accordance with the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) now have a better chance of success. competitive advantages during the crisis. They can react more flexibly to changes than companies that have a strictly hierarchical structure. And you can also see very clearly that companies that have already taken care of Holistic sustainability have something to show for themselves even during the crisis, such as Werner & Mertz with its Frosch brand.
Do you see any trends in which direction it could go?
Carolina Schweig: It will definitely be a Rethinking delivery routes give. For many companies, the infrastructure has just collapsed and just-in-time is currently not possible. Something must and will certainly change here. In a favourable scenario, logistics processes will be brought back and rebuilt. This harbours huge potential and would Making Europe more independent.
Production in China is not necessarily cheaper
A rethink is already taking place that also affects the packaging industry. It is about this, for example, intelligent packaging technology here in Europe and do without the pseudo-favourable manual labour from China. Production in China is not necessarily cheaper. It always depends on which factors you include in a calculation, in Asia as well as in Europe.
I also see a Trend towards regionalityConsumers want more locally produced products, but at least made in Europe. Regionally produced foods, for example, are experiencing an upswing - and also in packaging that is also produced regionally.
Even before the crisis, we were seeing more and more paper packaging on the shelves. Is this a positive development in the direction of greater sustainability or is paper just being subjectively perceived as environmentally friendly?
Carolina Schweig: The packaging material paper is not per se the more sustainable solution. In Germany, a large proportion of the fibre required is imported. Half of the cellulose we process comes from eucalyptus wood, which is mainly imported from South America. This is counterproductive for the climate.
Paper is not always the more sustainable solution
Furthermore, not all paper is the same, and not all fibres are the same. Therefore, it only makes sense as a packaging material if the corresponding functionality is given. Manufacturers should therefore ask themselves what they really need. When it comes to sustainability, it is not just the origin of the pulp that plays a role. Many criteria play a role, from the type of paper and the amount of resources used to the efficiency of the packaging line.
Packaging from renewable raw materials are certainly good, as is the Use of recycled materials like waste paper. For some applications, however, a Thin monofilm more environmentally friendly than a solution made of paper or cardboard, which is heavier or provides a less effective barrier. A truly sustainable packaging concept must always be very well thought out.
