On January 9, the General Assembly of the European Paper Packaging Alliance (Eppa) was held, during which Antonio D'Amato, CEO of Seda International Packaging Group and former President of the Italian industry confederation Confindustria, was elected President. The Italian national succeeds the Finnish Eric Le Lay, who takes over as Vice President. And Matti Rantanen, also Finnish, who was among others General Manager of the European Federation of the Envelope and Paper-based Packaging Industry (FEPE), has been appointed General Manager.
This is a crucial year for Eppa. At stake is the European Commission's Green Pact for Europe, which proposes new rules to limit packaging waste and unnecessary packaging, to encourage reuse and refills and to make all packaging recyclable by 2030.
A life cycle assessment study conducted by Eppa shows, according to the association, that single-use paper-based packaging offers a better environmental result than multi-use packaging. Eppa intends to prove that single-use paper packaging remains the most economical, renewable and recyclable.
New leaders willing to do anything to be heard
Matti Rantanen, CEO of Eppa, states: "It is crucial to look at EU rules on packaging and packaging waste, however it should be done rationally and based on scientific evidence. Eppa's studies have shown that in fast food restaurants, both for in-house consumption and for take-out, single-use paper packaging is simply better for the environment, the economy and consumer health.â (âeuros¦) Eppa will continue to present facts and evidence that should be considered by policymakers."
"Eppa increasingly represents the key companies in the paper packaging supply chain in Europe, from forest, paper and board producers to converters and brand owners. We will continue to focus on the innovative and sustainable development of single-use paper packaging, which is fully integrated into the circular economy (âeuros¦) Single-use paper packaging has a key role to play in reducing CO2 emissions." adds Antonio D'Amato, the new president of Eppa.
