Preparing Healthcare Packaging for PPWR
Explore strategies for recyclability, recycled content, and PFAS-free packaging as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) reshapes pharmaceutical and medical device packaging requirements.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is driving significant changes across the healthcare packaging industry. As pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers evaluate the impact on their packaging portfolios, understanding how recyclability, recycled content, and PFAS-free material selection align with evolving requirements is becoming increasingly important. Explore key PPWR considerations and discover packaging solutions designed to help support your sustainability objectives while maintaining the performance and reliability healthcare applications demand.
How PPWR Impacts Healthcare Packaging
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) establishes a harmonized framework for packaging sustainability across the European Union. As implementation progresses, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers will need to evaluate how packaging materials, designs, and sustainability strategies align with evolving requirements.
For healthcare packaging teams, key areas of focus include recyclability, recycled content, and the use of materials that support long-term regulatory and sustainability objectives. Understanding these considerations today can help organizations prepare for future requirements while maintaining the performance, protection, and compliance healthcare applications demand.
As healthcare packaging teams evaluate their packaging portfolios, three areas are receiving increased attention under PPWR: PFAS-free materials, recyclability, and recycled content.
Your Partner for PPWR Readiness
From PFAS-free barrier coatings and recyclable packaging solutions to recycled-content materials, kp offers a portfolio designed to help healthcare packaging teams navigate evolving sustainability requirements. Backed by our i.center and application engineering expertise, we help customers evaluate materials, optimize packaging designs, and prepare for future regulatory requirements.
PFAS free options
As healthcare packaging teams evaluate PFAS-related concerns, maintaining barrier performance remains a critical requirement. Our alfoil® Duplex, Triplex, and High Barrier PVdC coating technologies provide PFAS-free solutions that help preserve product protection while supporting evolving sustainability objectives. Designed for excellent runnability and packaging line efficiency, alfoil® products can help reduce total cost of ownership through improved yields, higher line utilization, and reliable packaging performance. This allows healthcare packaging teams to support sustainability initiatives without compromising barrier protection.
Recyclability
PPWR is increasing focus on packaging designs that support established recycling streams. Our kpNext® portfolio includes solutions designed for recycling in PET and PP streams while following Design for Recycling (DfR) principles. For medical device manufacturers, Pentamed® APET films provide recyclable solutions for secondary medical device packaging and are designed for recyclability in the RIC 1 stream. These plug-and-play materials are engineered to run on existing thermoforming equipment, helping manufacturers advance sustainability goals without sacrificing packaging performance, patient safety, productivity, or regulatory compliance requirements.
Recycled content
For applications where recycled content is becoming an important consideration, our kpEnhance® RM1 portfolio offers solutions containing post-consumer recycled content while maintaining the performance standards healthcare applications require. For secondary medical device packaging, SecondLife® MD incorporates 50% recycled content while delivering the performance, consistency, and reliability manufacturers expect. These solutions help organizations align packaging strategies with evolving sustainability expectations while supporting recycled content objectives.
More than just your materials supplier
Navigating evolving regulations like PPWR requires more than material supply alone. We support our pharmaceutical and medical device customers by helping translate complex regulatory and sustainability requirements into practical packaging guidance.
Through our i.center capabilities and Application Engineering support, we assist customers with:
- Material evaluations
- Packaging design considerations
- Sustainability assessments
- Regulatory and technical guidance
- Performance testing and validation support
We help customers evaluate materials, address packaging challenges, and identify practical solutions that support their regulatory, performance, and sustainability objectives. Help is only a click away!
PPWR Insights & Resources
Our latest article explores the key implications of PPWR and how businesses can prepare. We aim to support our customers by translating complex regulations into practical guidance, clarifying how PPWR applies to specific pharmaceutical and medical device packaging applications, and identifying considerations related to recyclability, recycled content, and evolving sustainability requirements.
As PFAS and PPWR regulations continue to evolve globally, pharmaceutical packaging manufacturers face increasing pressure to understand the implications for materials, performance, and compliance. In our recorded webinar, industry experts review the regulatory status of fluoropolymers, explore high-barrier PVdC technologies and PFAS-free alternatives, and discuss key sustainability considerations that may impact future packaging decisions.
Explore Our Healthcare Packaging Solutions
PPWR is just one part of a rapidly evolving healthcare packaging landscape. Whether you are evaluating recyclable materials, recycled content solutions, PFAS-free alternatives, or advanced packaging technologies, we offer a broad portfolio of films and services to support pharmaceutical and medical device packaging applications. Explore our complete Healthcare Packaging portfolios to learn more about the materials, expertise, and support available to help meet your packaging objectives.
