The demand for sustainable solutions in packaging has never been higher, particularly in the food industry, where consumers are increasingly drawn to products that promise environmental responsibility.
This trend has sparked a significant shift towards paper-based packaging, driven by both market forces and regulatory imperatives.
The global paper packaging market is booming: it is expected to reach USD 97.6 billion in Europe and USD 75.64 billion in North America in 2025, and is projected to grow at compound annual growth rates (CAGR) of 4.8% and 3.9%, respectively, by 2030.
The food industry is at the forefront of this shift, with liquid cartons becoming one of the fastest-growing packaging types, fuelled by consumer preference and sustainability goals. However, the promise of paper packaging is not without its challenges, particularly in the realm of recycling.
Despite the rapid adoption of paper solutions, a considerable amount of paper, especially from mixed waste streams, remains unrecycled. Studies have revealed that, in Germany, lightweight packaging waste alone holds the potential to supply around 100,000 tons of high-quality paper annually, a resource that remains largely untapped due to several persistent challenges.
The EnEWA project, a collaborative effort involving STADLER Anlagenbau GmbH, academic institutions and other industry leaders, has made significant strides in demonstrating the technical feasibility of recycling paper from mixed waste. Yet, the path to unlocking this potential is obstructed by regulatory constraints that must be addressed
The food industry is witnessing a remarkable shift towards paper packaging, driven by both environmental concerns and consumer demand. Companies are heavily investing in sustainable paper solutions, with innovations such as Pulpex’s paper bottles made from sustainably sourced wood pulp highlighting the industry’s commitment to reducing environmental footprints.
Despite these advancements, recycling paper, particularly from composite packaging, remains a complex issue.Composite packaging, often used in food products, combines multiple layers of materials like paper, plastic, and aluminium.
These layers are difficult to separate, making the recycling process energy-intensive and prone to contamination. Also, some of the new composite packages can be confusing for consumers, as they may appear to be entirely made of paper but contain layers of other materials. .