PRO CARTON
CARTONBOARD
OPENING COMMENTS
BY WINNIE MUEHLING, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS AT PRO CARTON
With this issue you will see the Pro Carton newsletter coming in a new format. Magazine style. We wish you enjoy the read.
We are still living in turbulent times. Crisis management is still the call of the day, negative thoughts are dominating and the future looks more dark than bright. It is the type of thinking that dominates in many European countries.
Hope comes from sports events like the European Championship in Germany, later the Olymics in France. “Sommermärchen” create positive sentiments. “Europa zu Gast bei Freunden”, creates feelings of belonging together, working and celebrating together with allies and friends.
In the fibre based industry we have good reasons to look forward with confidence. PPWR – once implemented – will give a solid legal framework for harmonized packaging regulations paving the way to circularity. Fibre based packaging will take a leading role in this transformation.
The coming weeks will be full of activities. We have a few high caliber events coming up, the ECMA Congress and the Awards Night being most relevant.
I wish all of you a shower of positive emotions. Connect with your colleagues, suppliers and customers left and right. Cross company cooperation will help to drive solutions to pending challenges.
Have a great summertime ahead.
AWARDS NIGHT
A special experience for the students
The time for Awards Night is approaching. There are two months to go before we will celebrate excellence on September 19th in Berlin.
Behind the scenes, we are working all hands on deck to prepare for the big night, making it a memorable experience for the audience and the finalists of the awards.
We are proud to announce that we have a new record number of entries for both student awards. With the number of entries also comes an ever-wider penetration into 26 countries and 180 universities across Europe.
The top entries for the awards once again make the difference. Professional prototypes, great presentation materials and videos, and outstanding film making simply stand out.
This year we want to highlight the special engagement of KASAD in Türkiye. 1/3 of the entries for the PCYDA this year come from Türkiye. The students are highly motivated to make forget the “no finalists 2023”.
We were struggling this year to generate high numbers for ECEA 2024. Talking to other associations in Europe who organize Award Ceremonies, it was confirmed that based on a challenging economic situation there were fewer new product launches. This had an impact on the entry numbers in 2024.
A special experience for the students
This is what it is all about. Creating a memorable experience for the students.
The students and sponsors will meet in the evening of September 18th for a themed dinner and drinks. We found a special place with a long history in Berlin gastronomy, one of the oldest restaurants in Berlin.
Then the big day arrives. Heartbeat increases, and excitement slowly peaks by the minute. We will start with the PCSVA, announcing the winners of the creative filmmakers award. This year, we have more than one hundred entries for the PCSVA, a truly impressive amount. Great pieces; wait until you see the shortlist for the public vote.
AWARDS NIGHT
Celebrating Excellence
We will follow through with the winners of the PCYDA. Who is going to win this year? The shortlist of the top 80 showed some very promising entries. A sound mix of most creative packaging solutions.
The best moment of the evening will be to see the students entering stage and 300 people in the room applauding for the winners. A great moment in the career of the young designers and a key moment of the night for the host on stage.
First time this year we will also have a slot in the congress agenda, where the winners are going to present their projects in an elevator pitch to the congress audience. Another great learning experience for the students.
Celebrating excellence – The winners of the ECEA 2024
After the main dinner we will announce the winners of the ECEA. The pride of the industry. The most creative folding cartons of the year.
We encourage also the small and medium sized members to enter their most creative packaging solutions. We promise true marketing value for the winners and finalists starting when we announce the public voting.
Excitement is on, we are looking forward to welcoming the fibre based industry to the ECMA congress and to the Awards Night. Register now and join us to celebrate excellence
PUBLIC VOTE
NOW IT IS YOUR TURN...
On July 19, 2024, Award, Pro Carton Student Video Award, and the European Carton Excellence Award. These entries have been hand selected by our judges in the Hague and will be presented on our website for the public to draw their final choices.
Good luck to the contestants and stay tuned for more!
LEGISLATION UPDATE
UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF EUDR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
The PPWR is expected to be formally approved by the end of 2024. If approved, it will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, entering into force 20 days after its publication and becoming enforceable 18 months thereafter. This means that, in practice, new rules for EU packaging will have to be implemented in all 27 EU Member States in the Q3 of 2026.
EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
There is a growing lobby for a 1-year delay in the EUDR. DG AGRI have also called for a delay – this would require a new proposal by the COMM and votes in the Parliament & Council. Please find a CEPI presentation on the EUDR on our members page.
Waste framework directive
On June 17, EU environment ministers reached a general agreement on a proposal to revise the waste framework directive, specifically focusing on the textile and food sectors. The overall aim is to reduce the environmental and climate impacts associated with textile and food waste generation and management. It also aims to foster circularity in the textile sector.
The new rules introduce mandatory and harmonised extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes for textile producers in all EU member states. The general approach also sets legally binding food waste reduction targets for member states, to be achieved by 2030: 10% in processing and manufacturing and 30% (per capita) in retail, restaurants, food services, and households.
The Substantiating Green Claims initiative
Adopted by Parliament in May, and Ministers reached a general agreement on the proposed green claims directive on June 17. The directive aims to protect consumers from greenwashing. It will set in delegated acts minimum requirements across the EU as regards the substantiation, communication, and verification of explicit (written or oral) environmental claims and environmental labels.
Eco Design rules for Sustainable Products (ESPR)
The Council approved the ESPR trilogue agreement in May.
Packaging is not immediately in scope, but this could change over time. The Commission wants to develop a delegated act under the ESPR for intermediate pulp, paper, and board (JRC scope: pulp, paper, and board obtained by chemical, kraft, sulphite, mechanical and chemimechanical pulping, recovered paper processing, and papermaking). Once this delegated act is adopted, all intermedi (and thus also the resulting products and packaging, we assume) may only be placed on the market if they adhere to the ecodesign requirements of the delegated act. Therefore, the delegated act will prescribe certain requirements that every paper product will have to fulfil.
Corporate Sustainablity Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
On 24 May 2024 the Council of the European Union approved the political agreement – waiting for publication in the journal
(companies > €450 turnover and > 1000 employees)
Ban on child labour and forced labor / Ban for production and use of hazard chemicals.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
PRO CARTON WELCOMES 4 NEW FULL MEMBERS
We are thrilled to announce the addition of four new members to the Pro Carton family. Each new member brings a wealth of experience and expertise, further strengthening our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in the cartonboard as well as the folding carton industry.
Umka d.o.o. – Cardboard Mill,
recycled cardboard (“white-lined chipboard”) in the following qualities GD2 – Umka Color (230-450gsm), GD2 – Umka Brown Back (300-450gsm), GD3 – Umka Pak (230-450gsm) and GT2 – Umka Special (280-450gsm) with a total annual production capacity up to 200.000 mt/year. With the last reconstruction of the machine in 2021, the production portfolio was expanded to Umka Liners with grammages 160 gsm, 180 gsm and 210 gsm.
Recycled cartonboard has a wide range of applications in the food and beverage, confectionary, pharmaceutical, chemical, tobacco and spare parts industry. The board is also used for lamination in the production of transport packaging. Board is produced in sheets and reels, depending on the customer’s
Sappi
renewable resources with operations across three continents. As a diversified, innovative, and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, Sappi is building a more circular economy by making what they should, not just what they can.
Their raw material offerings, such as dissolving pulp, wood pulp, and biomaterials, along with their end-use products, including packaging and speciality papers, graphic papers, casting and release papers, and forestry products, are manufactured from woodfibre sourced from sustainably managed forests and plantations. Many of their production facilities are powered with bio-energy from steam and existing waste streams, making many of their operations energy self-sufficient.
Together with their partners, Sappi works to build a thriving world by acting boldly to support the planet, people, and prosperity.
Burgo Group
and distribution of graphic papers, speciality papers (e.g., for food use), and containerboard. They also produce and sell fibrous raw materials (chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, deinked pulp) and energy. With 10 plants and 12 production lines, Burgo is a leading European producer in these sectors.
Burgo Group also offers two FBB board qualities. With a GC1 and a GC2 quality Burgo Group offers a range of coated cardboards made of a triple-layer bleached fibre structure, with CTMP in the middle layer and double coating on the top side.
Renowned for high-quality papers, innovative solutions, and a strong commitment to R&D, the Burgo Group prioritizes sustainable development. This commitment is evident in their resource usage, wastewater management, and waste-to-energy initiatives. The Burgo Group aims to expand its expertise into strategic areas like paper product distribution, energy management, and new packaging paper products.
Sarrió Papelera de Almazán’s municipality with which we share a strong connection, hence our name. Our journey in the sector began in Almazán over 70 years ago. Our experience and professionalism have enabled us to become one of the main coated cardboard producers in the Iberian Peninsula, endorsing our good work.
The continuous service and support we provide to our clients has always enabled us to find the best solutions in terms of product, quality and agility in delivery and post-sales support.
As we maintain an ongoing relationship with our clients, we never miss an opportunity for continuous improvement and innovation, establishing an alliance marked by efficacy and trust. This makes us efficient partners, always ready to listen to any suggestions and willing to improve, offering an excellent product, diligent service and reasonable prices
Their contributions will undoubtedly help us continue to lead a our field. We look forward to their fresh perspectives and valuable insights.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to grow and advance our mission!
UPCOMING EVENTS
PRO CARTON IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR PRESENCE AT 3 UPCOMING EVENTS
Starting with the this event in Montreux, Switzerland, on September 12-13 to discuss the future of packaging. EuroPack attracts leading voices in packaging, innovative suppliers, senior-level brand owners, and problem solvers in our industry.
The summit’s content is aligned with key packaging challenges, upcoming market developments, and new ideas and strategies adopted by successful forerunners in the industry. The EuroPack Summit also provides a platform that helps Europe’s leading packaging voices evaluate and partner with relevant suppliers and solution providers.
Additionally, the summit connects innovative packaging companies with chief packaging strategists to further the industry's aims.
Our next event is Nuremberg, Germany and is one of the largest packaging events in Europe to which we will be present at
For over 40 years, this packaging fair has been a cornerstone event, offering a compact yet comprehensive overview of the packaging industry's latest advancements and trends. The fair addresses a wide range of relevant topics, encompassing solutions for both industrial and consumer goods packaging.
Attendees can explore innovations in packaging aids, materials, production techniques, and packaging technology. The event also highlights advancements in logistics, packaging systems, and printing. This ensures a holistic understanding of the entire packaging lifecycle.
Whether you're looking for the latest in product packaging, seeking efficient packaging auxileries, or interested in cutting-edge technology, or innovative logistics, this fair provides valuable insights amongst great solutions for every facet of the packaging industry.
Our final event for this year on November 12-13 will be our return to Amsterdam for Packaging Europe: Sustainable Packaging Summit 2024. Amsterdam will host the Sustainable Packaging Summit, bringing together leaders from the international packaging value chain, brands, NGOs, recyclers, and regulators. United in their mission to drive sustainable transformation in packaged goods, the summit aims to create a dedicated platform for impactful discussions, strategic alignment, and the exploration of innovative approaches to make packaging fit for a rapidly changing world. Unlike a typical conference, every attendee is an active participant, contributing to honest dialogues and sharing opportunities for sustainable innovation.
Overall, we look forward to dicussing the many innovations of the packaging industry, meeting old as well as new face, and searching for sustainable solutions in the packaging industry of today!
ECMA CONGRESS BERLIN 2024
Every year, the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA) gathers folding carton converters, cartonboard mills, national associations, and suppliers to the folding carton industry. The ECMA Congress 2024 will be held at the Hilton Berlin Hotel in Berlin, Germany on September 19 & 20, 2024. This year's theme is "Resilience in a Sea of Adversity."
The 55th ECMA Congress boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, including representatives from Philip Morris International, The European Commission, CEPI, economist Andrea Boltho, Moorgate Capital, and Smithers. Our keynote speaker is the renowned presenter, AI enthusiast, and author of "The Future Normal," Henry Coutinho-Mason. The event will also feature a CEO Roundtable with industry leaders Mike Doss (GPI), Jean-Pascal Bobst (Bobst), Peter Oswald (Mayr Melnhof), Hans Sohlström (Stora Enso), and Sylvie Casenave-Péré (Posson Packaging).
Registration and hotel booking are now open on our congress website: www.ecmacongress.org.
ECMA CONGRESS BERLIN 2024
Agenda 2024
Wednesday 18 September 2024
T.B.C.
ECMA Committee & Forum Meetings
12.00 - 19.00
Arrival participants and registration at the ECMA Welcome Desk in the lobby of the Hilton Berlin
19.00 - 22.00
Welcome Cocktail & Dinner at the Hilton Berlin
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Thursday 19 September 2024 - Day 1
Dress Code: Business
09.00 - 14.00
SPOUSES PROGRAMME
See social programme for more information WELCOME & SETTING THE SCENE
09.00 - 09.15
INTRODUCTION & ECMA UPDATE
Congress moderators Claudia van Veen and Mike Turner introduce themselves and set the scene for the congress around the theme 'Resilience in a sea of adversity'.
09.15 - 09.30
WELCOME TO BERLIN
Michael Kellner, Parliamentary Secretary of State at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
09.30 - 09.45
OFFICAL OPENING
Jean-François Roche, President of ECMA, welcomes all delegates and opens the ECMA 55th Annual Congress.
09.45 - 09.50
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
OUTLOOK FROM 2024, PACKAGING & PACKAGING WASTE REGULATION, GREEN CLAIMS, ESG REPORTING
ECMA CONGRESS BERLIN 2024
09.50 - 10.35
A GLOBAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Andrea Boltho, Lecturer and Director of Oxford Economics
10.35 - 11.05
COFFEE BREAK
11.05 - 11.10
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
11.10 - 11.40
PACKAGING & PACKAGING WASTE REGULATION – update
Dr. Wolfgang Trunk, Team Leader at DG Environment, European Commission
11.40 - 12.20
UPDATE FROM CEPI
Jori Ringman, Director General at Cepi
12.20 - 12.25
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
12.25 - 13.55
LUNCH
13.55 - 14.00
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
14.00 - 14.25
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE (ESG) REPORTING
Horst Bittermann - Corporate Sustainability & ESG Certified Consultant
14.25 - 15.15
HOW THE PPWR COULD SHAPE THE FOLDING CARTON INDUSTRYA CEO ROUND TABLE
Jean-Pascal Bobst (Bobst), Sylvie Casenave-Péré (Posson Packaging), Mike Doss (GPI), Peter Oswald (MM Group), Hans Sohlström (Stora Enso)
15.15 - 15.20
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
15.20 - 15.50
TEA BREAK
ECMA CONGRESS BERLIN 2024
Agenda 2024
THE FUTURE IS FIBRE (PART 1)
15.50 - 16.20
RESILIENCE FROM AN FMCG PERSPECTIVE
David Mesguich, Director Indirect Materials and Services Procurement
16.20 - 16.25
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
16.25 - 16.55
FOLDING CARTONS - REST OF THE WORLD
Stephen Harrod, Associate Consultant at Smithers
16.55 - 17.00
RECAP & CLOSE OF DAY ONE
19.00
Departure from the lobby of the Hilton Berlin for the Award Dinner at the Jewish Museum in Berlin.
During dinner the winners of the European Carton Excellence Award, the Pro Carton Young Designers Award and the Student Video Award will be announced.
Dress Code: Smart Business (Suit and Tie)
Friday 20 September 2024 - Day 2
Dress Code: Business
09.00 - 15.00
SPOUSES PROGRAMME
See social programme for more information
09.00 - 09.15
WELCOME TO DAY 2 & RECAP DAY 1
Congress Moderators Claudia van Veen & Mike Turner
THE FUTURE IS FIBRE (PART 2)
09.15 - 09.20
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
09.20 - 10.05
A VIEW FROM THE EDGE
Neil Osment, Managing Director at NOA Ltd.
ECMA CONGRESS BERLIN 2024 Agenda 2024
10.05 - 10.10
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
10.10 - 10.40
COFFEE BREAK
10.40 - 11.15
McKINSEY
Felix Gruenewald, Associate Partner at McKinsey
11.15 - 11.20
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
11.20 - 12.05
INVESTMENTS AND INNOVATIONS LEAD OUR WAY TO A SUSTAINABLE AND CARBON NEUTRAL FUTUREFOREST INDUSTRY VIEW
Dr Maija Pohjakallio, VP Climate and Circular Economy at Metsä Group
12.05 - 12.10
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
12.10 - 12.30
MEET THE NEXT GENERATION
Q&A with the winners of the Pro Carton Young Designers Award
12.30 - 13.45
LUNCH
13.45 - 13.50
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
13.50 - 14.05
A VIEW FROM THE USA
Ben Markens, President at the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC)
14.05 - 14.10
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
14.10 - 14.55
360° INDUSTRY UPDATE
Ian Lloyd, Chairman ECMA MCC and Senior Director, Marketing – Home, Health & Beauty – WestRock
Nick Mockett - Moorgate Capital
ECMA CONGRESS BERLIN 2024
Agenda 2024
14.55 - 15.00
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
15.00 - 15.30
TEA BREAK
TECHNOLOGY - THE FUTURE IS AI
15.30 - 16.15
BEYOND THE HYPE - HOW TO THRIVE IN THE AGE OF AI
Henry Coutinho-Mason
16.15 - 16.30
THANK YOU & CONGRESS CLOSE
Jean-François Roche, President of ECMA
Congress moderators Claudia van Veen and Mike Turner
19.30
Departure from the lobby of the Hilton Berlin for the Farewell Dinner & Party at Frederic's Restaurant.
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Saturday 21 September 2024
10.00 - 15.00
Departure from the lobby of the Hilton Berlin for the optional tour See social programme for more information
https://www.ecmacongress.org/social-programme
A THANK YOU AND FAREWELL TO KATIE RYAN
running. Katie gave birth to TICCIT and played a major role in launching our new website.
European packaging industry at large. Above all, we all enjoyed working with Katie, British she created a strong foundation for all of Pro Carton's activities, the invisible hand in the background. Thank you, Katie, we wish you good luck in your future endeavours. We dearly miss you. -
Thank you to our sponsors!
EVENT SPONSORS
TRAINING DAY SPONSORS
