In the European debate on packaging, plastic continues to be portrayed more as a problem to be eliminated than a solution to be valued. This simplification is the reason for Pro Food’s active engagement. Pro Food is a product group within Unionplast, a member of the Italian Rubber and Plastics Federation (Federazione Gomma Plastica), which represents the leading companies producing plastic food and beverage containers. Associated businesses employ approximately 4,500 people, operate 29 manufacturing facilities and account for over 70% of the national industry's production.
Pro Food promotes a technical, data-driven approach: rather than defending plastic for its own sake, it evaluates every solution based on its impact throughout the entire life cycle, its contribution to food safety, logistics and the reduction of waste.
With the entry into force of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and its application from August 2026, this approach is becoming even more critical. The implementation phase is already underway. The first Commission guidelines – published less than a month ago – aim to clarify definitions and responsibilities, among other aspects, as stringent obligations take effect. In this context, Pro Food is drawing attention to the risk of an application not based on scientific evidence. Consequently, the association advocates for a postponement or revision of these targets, particularly given the prohibitive operational constraints.
The principle at the heart of Pro Food’s position is clear: sustainability cannot be assessed by looking at the material alone, but must also include the packaged product. Seemingly more ‘virtuous’ solutions can generate adverse impacts if they reduce shelf life or increase waste. Life Cycle Assessment studies, such as the one conducted by the University of Turin and commissioned by Pro Food, show, for example, competitive environmental performance of rPET packaging, also due to the reduction of food loss.
Therefore, the restrictions on the use of plastic packaging for pre-packed fresh fruit and vegetables under 1.5kg and in the HORECA sector, stipulated by the PPWR from 1 January 2030, are unacceptable, simply because they are not based on a specific impact assessment. The issue is even more relevant considering that approximately 50% of fresh fruit and vegetables in Europe is already sold loose, plastic packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables accounts for only 1.5% of all plastic food packaging, and the sector has already achieved high levels of recycled content, in some cases exceeding the targets set by the PPWR for 2040. This underscores the need to align regulatory objectives with current industrial capabilities.
Pro Food also highlights a risk for the single market: the potential definition of exemption lists for fruit and vegetable products that may continue to be packaged in plastic, which differ between Member States, would fragment the system. This would force fruit and vegetable companies to adapt pckaging country by country, with impacts on costs, logistics and the free movement of goods.
For this reason, the association is engaged on several fronts: participating in work on delegated acts and application guidelines, dialogue with institutions and supporting legal initiatives on aspects deemed critical to the regulation.
Pro Food’s position can be summarised as follows: the transition must be consistent and based on scientifically proven data. Plastic packaging must be optimised and recycled for reuse, but not eliminated where it performs an essential function. The future of food packaging depends on eco-design, innovation, recycling supply chains and scientific assessments capable of measuring the real impact of alternatives.
From this perspective, Pro Food positions itself as a technical partner to the agri-food supply chain, with the aim of combining environmental sustainability, food safety and industrial competitiveness throughout the product life cycle.