With the new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), many companies in the packaging industry still face uncertainty. Particularly affected: pallet wraps and strapping bands, which are used daily for safe goods transport.
A delegated decision by the EU Commission now brings important clarity – and relief for users of flexible packaging.
What is this specifically about?
The PPWR sets ambitious reuse targets for transport packaging in the long term. For certain use cases, even one hundred percent reusability was envisaged – such as for internal transport or between companies in the same Member State.
This is precisely where the Delegated Decision (EU) 2026/429 comes in:
It exempts pallet wraps (e.g. stretch films) and strapping bands used to secure palletized goods from this 100% reuse requirement.
The key statements of the decision – briefly explained
For companies in the flexible packaging industry, the new regulations mean above all one thing: realism instead of blanket requirements.
- No obligation for 100% reusability for pallet films
Stretch films and strapping bands may continue to be used as single-use solutions, including for internal or national transport. - Recognition of technical and economic limitations
The EU Commission clarifies that a complete switch to reusable pallet wraps would currently involve disproportionately high costs, a lack of market maturity for automated systems, and potential disruptions to supply chains. - System targets remain in place
However, the general reuse target of 40% for transport packaging remains. Different packaging formats can be offset against each other.
What does this mean in practice?
For users and manufacturers of flexible packaging, the decision is an important signal:
“Not every packaging is sensible and economically reusable with today’s state of technology – and this is exactly what the EU Commission expressly recognizes here.”
Single-use stretch films thus remain a recognized and necessary packaging material, provided they are used functionally, safely and efficiently. The focus shifts away from blanket reuse towards appropriate system solutions that consider product protection, logistics and sustainability together.
Assessment from the testing laboratory perspective
This decision confirms a key insight from practice for packers and manufacturers of stretch films: Sustainability cannot be determined solely by reusability. Material usage, product protection, process reliability and recyclability also play a crucial role.
The new EU decision thus creates planning certainty – and a reliable basis for factual discussions around packaging strategies under the PPWR.
