At interpack 2026, packaging journal speaks with Henning H. Sittel, Project Coordinator at the Effizienz-Agentur NRW (efa), about a tool that places the discussion around „sustainable packaging“ on a reliable factual basis: the efa packaging matrix in the form of a Power App.
The matrix was developed in 2021 in conjunction with the Prosperkolleg research project and the University of Applied Sciences Ruhr West in a value chain network comprising around 15 food industry companies. Since autumn 2023, it has been running as a Power App and enables companies to assess packaging alternatives based on up to 45 indicators in five key areas – product protection, circularity, environment, plant utilisation and communication – both qualitatively and quantitatively.
In the discussion, Sittel explains how the Power App functions in practice, why over 40 packaging material analyses already carried out provide valuable insights, and what role the involvement of all partners along the value chain plays. Particularly relevant: With the commencement of central PPWR obligations on 12 August 2026, companies will need robust assessment procedures – generalised statements will be neither legally compliant nor marketable. Sittel also outlines the next development step: a dashboard for visualising results, which will substantiate the argumentation and support decisions along the entire supply chain.
