The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU 2025/40) entered into force in February 2025 and applies from 12 August 2026, marking the most significant reshaping of packaging rules Europe has seen in decades. It moves the industry decisively towards a circular model — tighter recyclability standards, strict limits on substances of concern, and binding waste-reduction targets. Oliver Kalmes, Global Barrier Manager Paper & Board at ACTEGA, explores what this means in practice, and how barrier coatings are rising to meet it.
What makes PPWR so significant for the industry?
PPWR is significant because it marks a fundamental shift from a linear packaging model to a circular economy approach. It places greater emphasis on designing packaging for reuse, recycling and material recovery, while also seeking to eliminate harmful substances such as PFAS and heavy metals.
The regulation introduces a comprehensive framework covering recyclability, labelling and raw-material sourcing, with harmonised obligations across all EU member states in place of fragmented national rules. It also establishes ambitious waste-reduction targets: a 5% cut in per capita packaging waste by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040, measured against 2018 levels.
That’s a big shift, and it’s creating a lot of pressure for businesses to adapt quickly. What do you see as the biggest challenges for companies trying to comply with PPWR?
One of the biggest challenges is the ambitious timetable, with key requirements taking effect from 12 August 2026. Companies must rapidly adapt their packaging portfolios, supply chains and compliance processes while continuing to meet expectations for performance and functionality.
Article 5 is particularly challenging because it restricts substances of concern, including PFAS and heavy metals. This means replacing long-established, high-performing materials with safer alternatives and accelerating innovation in materials science so that new solutions can satisfy both sustainability and functional requirements.
Let’s dive into Article 5. What exactly does it require, and what are the implications for packaging manufacturers?
Article 5 focuses on substances of concern in packaging, particularly PFAS and heavy metals. From August 2026, it sets specific PFAS limits for food-contact packaging placed on the EU market: 25 parts per billion for any individual PFAS, 250 parts per billion for the sum of PFAS, and 50 parts per million including polymeric PFAS. These thresholds are intended to reduce the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS and will require the industry to move away from established PFAS-based solutions.
In addition, Article 5 caps the combined concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium to no more than 100 milligrams per kilogram. For packaging manufacturers, this creates an immediate need to develop and qualify alternative materials. But it is also an opportunity — a chance to innovate by bringing functionality, safety and recyclability into much closer alignment.
These changes are sure to reshape the industry in a big way. How has ACTEGA been preparing for these changes? How is ACTEGA helping your customers tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities that come with Article 5?
ACTEGA began preparing early, with a proactive focus on innovation, collaboration and sustainability. Our barrier coatings are already formulated without intentionally added PFAS, helping customers work toward Article 5 compliance, and we place a strong emphasis on improving the recyclability of packaging solutions. We have also invested significantly in our in-house analytical capabilities, although PFAS testing itself must be carried out externally.
Just as importantly, we work closely with customers to develop solutions tailored to their applications. This includes supporting the transition from PE-laminated board to water-based coatings while maintaining the required barrier performance and improving recyclability and circularity.
It sounds like ACTEGA is really focused on being a partner in this transition, not just a supplier. Beyond compliance, do you see PPWR driving innovation in the industry?
Yes, absolutely. PPWR is a clear catalyst for innovation because it encourages the industry to rethink both materials and production processes.
One area of exploration is fully bio-based coatings, with the aim of developing solutions that are commercially viable, environmentally responsible and designed to minimise their impact on natural habitats. More broadly, the regulation is accelerating the whole industry's transition to safer and more sustainable packaging.
Now that we’ve unpacked the regulatory landscape, let’s talk about one of the key solutions helping businesses meet these challenges: barrier coatings. Can you walk us through the functionalities of ACTEGA’s barrier coatings and how they align with the industry’s sustainability goals?
ACTEGA’s barrier coatings are designed to enhance packaging functionality while preserving the recyclability of the underlying substrate. They protect against external elements without compromising the recycling process, and our water-based ACTGreen® Barrier Coatings are formulated without intentionally added PFAS.
They are designed to replace PE-laminated board while delivering comparable performance and can achieve recyclable content levels of more than 95%. Ultimately, the goal is to help customers comply with PPWR while positioning them to lead in sustainable packaging innovation.