What makes plastic packaging environmentally friendly?
Packaging performs a variety of valuable functions, including transportation, product information and, most importantly, protection of the goods themselves. But how sustainable can and must packaging materials be? Is paper as a material really a good solution, and how can the recycling economy succeed? All these questions will be discussed by renowned experts on June 11 and 12 at the SKZ model factory in Würzburg.
On June 11 and 12, the SKZ and Innoform are organizing the symposium "Environmentally friendly plastic packaging - rethinking" in Würzburg (Photo: SKZ/Innoform).
Innoform and SKZ to hold joint symposium in Würzburg in June
Packaging materials are the subject of intensive discussions. The focus is often on current environmental aspects. However, packaging fulfills many important functions. First and foremost, it should protect the product, be harmless and inert, and ideally cause as little cost as possible. However, this harmlessness is also required at the end of the packaging's often short life cycle.
Changes in plastic packaging
A lot has happened in recent years, especially in the area of plastic packaging: design before recycling, the trend towards mono-materials, the use of biodegradable plastics and the increased use of recycled materials are just a few examples of how packaging has become and continues to become more environmentally friendly. However, packaging is often replaced by other materials such as paper. The consumer perception is that this is more environmentally friendly. But is it really? And how can plastic packaging be made as efficient, cost-effective, recyclable and climate-neutral as possible? A joint conference of Innoform Coaching and SKZ Plastics Center will discuss these aspects. The industry meets on June 11th and 12th in the SKZ model factory in Würzburg.
Plastics as ideal materials
"Plastics are actually ideal materials for packaging, they are easy to modify, inexpensive, very flexible and in principle easy to recycle. Our main goal with this event is to encourage the exchange of ideas on how to exploit the potential of plastics," explains Andre Gstrein, Product Manager at SKZ. Participants can look forward to a varied conference program entitled "Environmentally friendly plastic packaging - rethinking". Topics include the assessment of recyclability, the wise use of recyclates in the packaging industry, the balance between zero-carbon strategies and proven packaging requirements such as convenience and product protection. The use of biopolymers and paper as packaging material trends will also be discussed.
Relaxed evening program planned
There will of course be plenty of time for discussion and interaction with the experts in attendance, and a relaxed evening event is also planned to allow attendees to digest and deepen their knowledge over a meal in a relaxed atmosphere.
