Plastribution Releases Summer Edition of Sustainable Insights Newsletter
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Plastribution has announced the launch of the Summer edition of its quarterly newsletter, Sustainable Insights. The publication continues to explore innovation in circular and nature-led design, bringing the latest sustainability news, industry developments, and insights into the companies and technologies helping to shape the future of the polymer industry.
The Summer edition highlights collaboration, innovative materials, and technologies from across the polymer industry, featuring specific updates on:
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Sumika’s “Extra Low Fogging” Recycled Polypropylene: This glass-fibre reinforced polypropylene compound is made from European post-consumer recycled materials. It has been developed to meet the stringent requirements of headlamp housings applications.
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Lactips’ Enosis®: A range of biodegradable hybrid compounds designed by Lactips to support the industry’s transition toward solutions that are less dependent on fossil-based plastics.
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Plastribution’s Partnership with AO Recycling: This partnership with AO Recycling—part of AO, one of the UK’s electrical retailers—brings high-quality recycled polymer pellets to the UK market through Plastribution’s distribution network. The materials are highlighted as an option for those looking to increase recycled content and improve sustainability within their products and supply chains.
The newsletter also provides a section dedicated to quick snapshots of key news, innovations, and sustainability updates impacting materials, supply chains, and the wider market:
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PFAS Restrictions in Packaging: Under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), intentionally added PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in food-contact packaging will be prohibited starting August 2026. Strict trace thresholds will apply, marking a significant packaging compliance change for manufacturers supplying the European market.
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Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR): Indicative eco-modulated pEPR fees for 2027 have been published, ranging from £415 per tonne for GREEN-rated packaging to £545 per tonne for RED-rated packaging. A Producer Responsibility Organisation has been appointed to advise PackUK, and further revisions to the Recycling Assessment Methodology are expected in July 2026.
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Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR): The European Commission has published comprehensive guidance and FAQs regarding the PPWR. Key measures include mandatory design-for-recyclability requirements, recycled content targets, reusability quotas, and a ban on packaging formats deemed unnecessary. By 2030, all packaging must be recyclable, and packaging falling below 70% recyclability could potentially be prohibited.
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Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT): The Plastic Packaging Tax remains at £228.82 per tonne for packaging containing less than 30% recycled content. A public consultation on recycled content certification has launched, and mass balance accounting for chemically recycled materials is expected to be permitted from April 2027. Pre-consumer waste will also be phased out as eligible recycled content. The Plastribution Technical Team is available to offer advice on PPT and other regulatory issues.
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Simpler Recycling: The next phase of Simpler Recycling is currently underway. Local authorities are expected to collect six core recyclable waste streams, and flexible packaging collections are scheduled to begin by March 2027. Industry bodies have indicated confidence that councils will be ready to support these flexible packaging collections on schedule.
The Summer edition of Sustainable Insights can be read online, and readers can subscribe to receive future issues straight to their inbox by visiting the Plastribution Sustainable Insights Hub.
Read more on Plastribution here.
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