The European packaging industry is meeting again at Fachpack in Nuremberg. We asked the industry associations how they assess the current economic situation shortly before the Nuremberg trade fair, what their member companies are currently most concerned about and whether there are any rays of hope for the future.
Dr Oliver Wolfrum, Managing Director Association of the Corrugated Board Industry (VDW)
„In 2023, the corrugated board industry still had to accept drastic losses. As corrugated board is used as the number one transport packaging, the fortunes of our industry are closely interwoven with the overall economy and the consumer climate. Our industry is now hoping for a slight recovery for 2024 as a whole.
However, the prices for the most important raw material, corrugated base paper, are currently causing considerable concern. These have been on the rise again since March 2024. Freight and personnel costs are also rising. The latter are directly related to the increasingly strict regulatory requirements. The industry, which is characterised by SMEs, needs more skilled personnel in order to keep up with ever new bureaucratic requirements.“
Anja Siegesmund, President Federal Association of the Waste Management, Water and Recycling Industry BDE
„The entire packaging industry is working on sustainable solutions. The Packaging Act, Ecodesign Regulation, PPWR - new rules provide a framework that pushes the circular economy. That's a good thing! Because that's where the future lies: in design for recycling. Sensible regulation brings innovation via competition and creates markets. We need this boost. With a more circular economy, we can achieve climate neutrality and secure Europe's raw materials of the future. However, it is also clear that excessive authorisation times and ever new reporting obligations are a real brake on progress. But companies know that smart and consistent rules are the prerequisite for investment security and innovation momentum. So we are removing the brakes and getting started. At Fachpack, for example.“
Karsten Hunger, Managing Director of the Industrial Association for Paper and Film Packaging (IPV)
„The burdens imposed by the EU and German politics are not easy for our companies. Added to this is the general economic weakness in Germany. The excessive bureaucracy also directly slows down any potential growth impetus. Germany is over-regulated! Mandatory receipts, mandatory reusable packaging, single-use plastic fund levy ... this is not business-friendly. If countermeasures are not taken promptly with a real reduction in bureaucracy, small and medium-sized companies and their jobs will disappear completely from Germany in the medium term. Despite all the concerns, the IPV members are optimistic that the continuing strong trend towards lightweight and easily recyclable packaging means that they are in the right position, at least in terms of their products.“
Dr Johann Overath, Chief Executive Officer Federal Association of the Glass Industry (BV Glass)
„The economic situation in the container glass industry is not good at the moment. One reason is certainly inflation in Germany, which has had the side effect that consumers are turning more frequently to slightly cheaper products that are not packaged in glass. According to the ifo Institute, there are signs of an upturn in the second quarter of 2024. We therefore expect the market to recover in the short to medium term.
The focus in the present and future is on decarbonisation by 2045. BV Glas has already drawn up a roadmap for achieving climate neutrality. There is a consensus that this mega task can only be achieved with the right climate and energy policy framework.“
Richard Clemens, Managing Director VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association
„In 2023, incoming orders remained rather subdued. One of the reasons for this was the discussion surrounding the new EU packaging regulation, which led to uncertainty and restraint among customer industries. In the first half of 2024, incoming orders for packaging machinery were above the previous year's level. According to the VDMA economic survey from July, demand from the markets is rated as good to very good by over 50 per cent of packaging machinery manufacturers. However, the biggest challenge for companies in the sector is the increasing regulation. For example, technical errors and unrealistic requirements in the EU packaging regulation are weighing on the mechanical engineering sector.“
