Sustainable packaging is revolutionizing the appearance and transportation of goods. Thanks to modern technologies, packaging solutions are no longer just focused on aesthetics; they are made from eco-friendly materials that significantly reduce environmental impacts throughout their entire lifecycle. These packaging solutions not only aim to minimize waste but also ensure that products arrive safely and efficiently to users, all while utilizing the least amount of resources possible.
However, in Hungary, the widespread adoption of biodegradable packaging is still awaited. In this context, we sought insight from Viktor Rydzewski, the managing owner of our partner company CELLUX PACK Ltd., and asked him several questions about sustainable and biodegradable packaging. We were particularly interested in what innovations are currently present in the market.
- Do you currently offer biodegradable or recyclable packaging solutions? What are they?
“Our product range includes biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials. For box sealing, we recommend paper and bio-based, plant starch, compostable adhesive tapes for our partners. Our recyclable materials include corrugated cardboard and stretch film; however, the recycling of plastics is limited depending on the raw materials.” - What feedback do you receive from customers regarding eco-friendly packaging?
“We receive a lot of interest in these materials, but unfortunately, due to high prices, our partners typically choose traditional packaging materials.” - What plans or developments are underway regarding eco-friendly packaging?
“Our shipping partners continuously update us on new developments. One example is biodegradable stretch film, which is an environmentally friendly packaging option that doesn’t break down into micro-sized plastic particles but is made from a truly biodegradable, compostable material.” - What challenges do you encounter in the development of biodegradable/recyclable packaging?
“I believe the development of biodegradable materials is progressing well. The industry is capable of producing better quality raw materials, but in terms of durability, I think there is still room for improvement.” - How do you see the market demand for these products in Hungary?
“Naturally, everyone wants to be more environmentally conscious, but in my view, the demand is not significant. This is due to the substantial price difference between traditional and biodegradable packaging, which makes it hard for domestic businesses to afford.” - Are there standards or certifications that these biodegradable packaging solutions must meet?
“Currently, I am not aware of any regulations, laws, or directives regarding this.” - How does EU plastic regulation impact your company’s strategy?
“I don’t know much about the EU plastic regulations yet, but it’s clear that European manufacturers are at a significant disadvantage compared to non-EU manufacturers. This may be because the EU has much stricter expectations and regulations that manufacturers must comply with.” - What collaborations do you have with research institutions or other companies in the field of sustainable packaging?
“Our company is constantly looking for opportunities to work with suppliers who are making continuous efforts in the market for innovative, eco-friendly, and affordable packaging materials.” - How much more expensive is the production of biodegradable/recyclable packaging compared to traditional options?
“Recyclable materials are perhaps not that expensive, but unfortunately biodegradable materials are usually three to four times more expensive than traditional options.” - What innovations do you see as promising for the future in this area?
“The usage of stretch film and adhesive tape is significant in Hungary, and I believe we will see changes in this area. While it may not be possible to completely replace stretch film, the amount used can significantly be reduced. Thinner and much stronger films are gradually gaining traction in our country, but this will take some time. I think that in the future, there will be alternative solutions for these materials, and we are striving to make this a reality in the near future at an affordable price. Henkel Magyarország Kft. is a subsidiary of Henkel A.G. and is among the world leaders in adhesive technology. They introduce developments every year, such as the application of anti-slip features in stretch film wrapping machines. They have made significant contributions in the field of eco-friendly, biodegradable adhesives intended to replace box-sealing adhesives. Adhesives that have OÉTI or FDA certification (a significant portion of their adhesives possess one of these certifications) are extremely promising for the future because these adhesives are not only eco-friendly but also not harmful to human health.” - How can the separation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials be handled during production?
“Stretch or shrink films can be easily collected separately, and their recycling is manageable. However, plastics that are integrated into packaging are difficult or impossible to collect separately. An example of this is box-sealing adhesive tape, and Henkel industrial adhesives provide excellent solutions to this problem.” - What steps are you taking to reduce your own ecological footprint during production?
“Our company is continuously evolving, and thanks to our machinery investments, we no longer procure and sell finished products; instead, we process raw materials ourselves. As a result, the amount of waste generated at our facility has significantly decreased. Furthermore, we collect paper and plastic packaging separately and take them to recycling points.” - Is there government or EU support available for eco-friendly developments?
“Our continuously evolving, and thanks to our machinery investments, we no longer procure and sell finished products; instead, we focus on raw materials that we process ourselves. As a result, the amount of waste generated on our premises has significantly decreased. Furthermore, we collect paper and plastic packaging materials separately and deliver them to recycling points.
What are the possible solutions for reducing ecological footprint? It is essential to consider that the most important aspect is ensuring that the finished and packaged products reach the customers safely and without damage. There are alternative solutions that can help us reduce the amount of packaging material used. This can happen with mindfulness, but there are also opportunities to replace the currently used packaging with more modern, thinner, and more efficient materials. When procuring packaging materials, it is necessary to consider the length, width, and thickness of the materials used.
For example, the lengths of manual box sealing tapes available in Hungary show a large variance, typically ranging from 40 to 66 meters. This could potentially be extended to 100 or 132 meters. This would be beneficial because it would reduce the amount of packaging materials used in the production of these tapes, significantly decreasing the waste generated by the user after the packaging materials are used.
Securing pallets is also an area where we can significantly reduce the amount of stretch film used. High-quality, thin films with great elasticity require less material than traditional thicker films. Pre-stretched films and coreless films can also provide effective solutions for reducing the amount of packaging materials used.
Naturally, each company designs its own product packaging, and they may not even be aware of alternative solutions. For our partners who require such assistance, we strive to help them choose the right adhesive or packaging material. There is also the possibility of producing customized products tailored to the company or application, but these developments take longer. While these solutions do not eliminate waste or the use of environmentally polluting materials from packaging, they can help reduce the overall quantity.” - How do you see the future of biodegradable/recyclable packaging in the industry?
“This is a slow process, and it will speed up when companies see the potential in these materials. This is of course also our responsibility, as without proper information, users cannot make informed decisions. I have high hopes for the proliferation of these materials.” - Do you usually inform your customers about eco-friendly packaging? What do you typically do in this case?
“We continuously provide information to our partners about new, efficient, and eco-friendly products. We offer them engineers free of charge, provide sample materials, and showcase developments at our own facility. These presentations are typically very successful.”
Here’s an interesting fact that Viktor shared with us:
“Polyethylene can typically only be recycled once, while polyester can be recycled multiple times. Polyethylene is often mixed with additives that help it break down into micro-sized particles, but unfortunately, it can remain in the environment for 200-400 years. PLA (polylactic acid) can be 100% biodegradable and compostable, provided the right conditions are met. PLA is made from plant starch, but it must also be polymerized, which causes it to lose some of its natural qualities. In my opinion, this is the best alternative by far, but its production costs are quite high. It would be a huge breakthrough if chemists could develop a truly compostable material that works under all conditions.
Producing PLA requires corn, potatoes, or sugarcane, which must first be farmed in order to create PLA. Among the commonly used plastics, polystyrene is the worst; it is used for insulating so-called energy-efficient homes. It is also used for packaging fillers and the stabilizers used in the packaging of technical products. Its decomposition time ranges from 1,000 to 100,000 years. Are energy-efficient homes really that good?”
It is crucial to find the right balance between economic development and environmental considerations. Through our innovations and responsible decisions, we strive to ensure that the logistics industry serves not only businesses but also society and the environment. Here at INCON-LOGISTIC Ltd., we are prepared to meet challenges and are committed to continually searching for new, eco-friendly solutions. By taking responsibility for our future together, we can contribute to creating a greener and more sustainable world.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Viktor Rydzewski for sharing these insightful pieces of information with us.
You can access the CELLUX PACK Ltd. website by clicking here.