The Ukrainian packaging industry in the storm of emotions

Picture of the Ukrainian national flag
(Image: Shutterstock/ rospoint)

1. Juni 2022

The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine has been going on for more than 60 days now since we last spoke to Veronika Khalaydzhi. She is President of Club Packagers Ukraine and reports on the impact of the war on the packaging industry in the country. Since the beginning of the war, Veronika and her colleagues have been spread across Ukraine, Poland and Germany, working to provide the best possible support to the packaging industry in Ukraine. In an interview with packaging journal, she shared her feelings and ventures into the future of the packaging industry after the war. 

Image of a woman standing at a table with books and looking into the camera

How are you doing at the moment and what is your current situation?

The office of the Club Packagers of Ukraine, currently based in Poznań, continues its information work. We are helping Ukrainian companies and we have just published the magazine, "Packaging" № 2. We are preparing for the All-Ukrainian competition for the best packaging and label.

Looking back to the beginning of the war: What were your thoughts and feelings?

It is very difficult to put into words. We could not come to our senses for a long time. Is this really possible nowadays? We felt that Russia could expand its military operations. After all, they have been waging war since 2014. But to first of all attack the defenseless - children, women, old people - so brazenly, cruelly, this does not fit in our heads. We were all shocked.

Do you have an impression of how companies are coping with the implications of the war?

We keep in touch with Ukrainian packaging companies. The worst situation is where the enemy has been. There are enterprises that are completely destroyed and cannot be rebuilt. There are some that are partially destroyed, but now do not work. Those who work do not have enough raw materials, spare parts or energy. Many workers went to defend Ukraine, and women with children left the country.

From the beginning of the war up until now, what changes have you perceived in the packaging industry?

I will talk about general feelings. The global packaging industry is now being restructured. More attention is paid to environmental protection, consumer convenience, sustainable development, circular technologies, and the replacement of packaging materials that cannot be disposed of or recycled. Ukrainian packagers follow all these directions of packaging development. We are confident that after our victory, the packaging industry of Ukraine will develop taking into account the latest technologies.

Thinking about a time after the war: What do you think we can and have to learn from the current situation?

In general, we must respect each other. We must follow to the general norms of freedom, humanity, and respect for other people's opinions. Governments need to rule out any possibility of war. We have something to work on. We need to protect the planet from climate change, from natural disasters, to fight hunger and not each other. To do this, everyone must be an active participant in these events at all times.

Thinking about the implications of the war on the packaging industry: Are there aspects that you feel have to change?

The war only emphasizes what packers need to work on. The most important task remains the same - to store products and goods without loss or damage for a certain period. At the same time to do it economically, efficiently, safely, conveniently, and informatively for the consumer, without harming the environment. And to do this, we need to use the latest materials, packaging, technology, and equipment.

Is there anything else you would like to let our readers know?

Yes, of course there is. First of all, we want to thank everyone who helps us during this difficult time. We are grateful to the companies that support us financially and morally. We realize that the enemy can only be defeated together. And we know that Ukraine will win. And after the war, together we will build the packaging industry around the world.

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