"In Europe, the general potato packaging is trending toward using paper. The Netherlands, however, has yet to decide between laminate and paper," says Maikel van Wiggen, responsible for commerce at JASA - which builds vertical packaging machines - in the Netherlands. "That has to do with the Dutch focus on small packaging. The rest of Europe prefers larger packaging."
Uncertainty
In the Netherlands, there is no definite shift to paper in the packaging sector, mainly because, as Maikel says, the country's focus on small packaging differs from other parts of Europe, which more often lean toward large packaging. He points out that European Union rules put pressure on reducing packaging waste through reuse and recycling.
Maikel's colleague, Oriana Batista, follows legislation and regulations regarding machines and packaging. She reports that the upcoming E.U. law, which comes into effect on January 1, 2023, will ban single-use plastic fresh fruit and vegetable packaging weighing under 1.5 kg. Despite this intention, Oriana says this legislation is not yet a done deal. "It's complicated," she says.
"This proposal comes from the European Union, but each member state can interpret the conditions. Member states can apply for an exemption from this restriction. But, to do so, they must demonstrate that they meet several conditions." She explains that, for example, an exemption can be granted to prevent microbiological hazards or mixing organic and conventional fruits and vegetables. "So, for now, it remains uncertain exactly what will happen," says Oriana.
Challenges
That brings challenges for Dutch exporters, who must respond to other countries' different packaging rules. It is tricky to adapt to those, but JASA has prepared well. As far back as seven years ago, they began investing in developing machines that can handle both paper and laminate. Their latest vertical packers can quickly switch between different packaging materials and formats, enabling them to meet varying market demands.
There is a rising demand for alternative packaging materials such as paper, especially for organic potatoes. Sustainability plays a major role in the choice of packaging materials, leading to a focus on reducing packaging weight. The machine manufacturer uses innovative techniques to minimize material waste. They optimize their machine designs by, for example, decreasing the container width and thus saving material per package. JASA machines can also reduce waste when changing films, which benefits their packing solutions' efficiency and sustainability.
Maikel van Wiggen
[email protected]
Oriana Batista
[email protected]
Jasa Packaging Solutions
Hazenkoog 14-16
1822 BS Alkmaar
Tel: +31 (0)72 561 27 00
[email protected]
www.jasa.nl