New strapping industry alliance says safety and sustainability are at risk without exemption for strapping.
A newly formed industry coalition is pushing back against a key provision in the European Union’s proposed Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), warning that mandatory reuse quotas for transport securing materials like strapping could undermine both logistics safety and sustainability efforts.
The “Project Alliance Strapping” (PAU), led by Mosca GmbH and joined by 12 other European manufacturers, is seeking a delegated legal act to exempt strapping bands from the reuse requirements outlined in Article 29 of the PPWR. The alliance argues that while the intent of the regulation is in line with industry goals for reducing carbon emissions and promoting a circular economy, the technical realities of reusing strapping make it an unsuitable candidate for such mandates.
“We fundamentally support and welcome the PPWR because it aligns with our philosophy and our goals for a more sustainable future and, for example, advocates for the development of a circular economy for strapping materials,” said Dr. Martin Bussmann, Deputy Chairman of the Project Alliance Strapping and Head of Material Innovation at Mosca. “Nevertheless, we see an urgent need for action on Article 29 to ensure the safety of product transport and to secure supply chains.”
A Safety Issue with Global Implications
Article 29 of the draft regulation would require transport securing elements, including strapping, to meet ambitious reuse targets. However, the alliance points to a growing body of evidence suggesting that repeated use of strapping can result in material fatigue, compromising the integrity of the load and increasing the risk of accidents in handling and transportation.
“The reuse of strapping bands poses significant safety risks, as material fatigue weakens the stability of the transport packaging, which can cause pallets or packages to slip or become damaged,” Bussmann explained. “This can be dangerous for both goods and people, especially in dynamic applications such as emergency braking.”
To highlight these risks, the alliance is preparing a scientifically backed position paper grounded in independent laboratory testing. Among the contributors is the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems (IMWS), which is conducting detailed molecular analyses to understand how strapping materials degrade under repeated stress.
“The initial results reinforce our thesis that reuse leads to material weaknesses and no longer guarantees the safety of the transport packaging. This is a key aspect that speaks in favor of the exemption to ensure safety at the end of a supply chain worldwide,” said Bussmann.
Strapping’s Sustainability Performance Also in Focus
The alliance is also challenging the assumption that reusable alternatives are always more sustainable. A life cycle analysis included in the position paper compares strapping to heavier, reusable packaging solutions like metal boxes and collapsible containers. According to preliminary findings, single-use strapping may have a lower overall carbon footprint.
“The results so far show that strapping, despite being used only once, has a better carbon footprint than heavier, reusable packaging solutions,” Bussmann said. “It’s important to us to demonstrate, measurably and scientifically, that our strapping is not only safe, but also a minimal packaging solution that is sustainable – even compared to alternative solutions.”
The comprehensive data will be subjected to peer review by a European university, a step intended to enhance transparency and the scientific credibility of the findings. Final results are expected by early 2025.
A Unified Strapping Industry Message for Brussels
In addition to Mosca, founding members of the Project Alliance Strapping include major strapping manufacturers such as Teufelberger, Fromm Plastics, Messersi, Sekisui Jushi, Embalcer, cpdesign, and Green Tech. The group plans to deliver its findings and formally request an exemption during stakeholder consultations in Brussels slated for mid-2025.
“Only with independent studies and combined expertise can we create an evidence-based foundation that supports the political decision-making process in Brussels,” said Bussmann.
He remains hopeful that the European Commission will take the industry’s concerns seriously.
“We hope to convince decision-makers of the need for a delegated act that recognizes strapping and wrapping materials as a safe and sustainable packaging solution, thus ensuring the long-term use of strapping in transport packaging,” Bussmann concluded.
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Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
