The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which took effect on February 11, is expected to have minimal impact on South African manufacturers.

However, the regulation presents opportunities for local businesses to align with global standards, enhancing their competitive edge, says industry association Plastics SA executive director Anton Hanekom.

The PPWR has introduced stringent requirements for plastic packaging, one being that all packaging must be recyclable in design and in practice by 2030.

The regulation primarily affects producers supplying export markets, such as those serving the fruit and vegetable sectors; however, these exports constitute a small share of overall production.

Nevertheless, Hanekom warns that noncompliance could lead to lost export opportunities, increased future compliance costs and reputational damage. Therefore, ensuring early compliance offers a competitive advantage for continued access to European markets.
He enthuses that South African companies have made significant progress in developing sustainable packaging while maintaining functionality and quality.

Recent advancements in local packaging design include the development of mono- material packaging in sectors such as cereals and confectionery. These innovations enhance recyclability and align with circular economy principles.

Hanekom also lauds brand owners as the key force behind these innovations, as they prioritise packaging that is easier to recycle to meet regulatory demands and consumer expectations for sustainability.

Improving Recycling Capabilities
Hanekom notes that incorporating recycled content in food-contact packaging remains a challenge, and addressing this challenge is essential for enhancing the sustainability of South Africa’s packaging industry.

Currently, only recycled-content polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, trays and punnets meet the required safety standards for direct food applications.

A new recycler is set to begin production in the first quarter of 2025, which is expected to boost the supply of food-contact-approved recycled PET.

He notes that the fresh produce packaging industry continues to face hurdles in integrating more food-contact materials with recycled content while maintaining safety, quality and regulatory compliance.

However, expanding packaging production containing food-grade post-consumer recyclate (PCR), and improving recycling infrastructure, presents several challenges.

Recycling plastics requires closed-loop collection systems and specialised recycling facilities to produce food-safe products.

Limited investment in advanced recycling systems is a major obstacle, owing to high capital costs and a lacking waste management system resulting in difficulties in securing suitable material for food-contact recyclate.

Hanekom explains that strengthening waste collection systems to ensure a consistent and reliable supply of quality feedstock is necessary before significant investment in recycling infrastructure can be justified.

He also notes that mono-material, multilayer packaging shows promise. This approach uses a virgin polymer barrier to separate food from recycled content and is commercially viable for bottles, drums and buckets; however, market acceptance remains a key challenge.

A major barrier to wider implementation of PCR is the lack of local laboratories capable of testing and verifying substance migration from recycled materials into food, he adds.

Currently, manufacturers must send samples to European laboratories for testing, resulting in high costs and logistical challenges. Establishing local testing capabilities would significantly streamline certification processes, allowing for the broader adoption of recycled-content food packaging in South Africa.