The European plastics and packaging industry is urging the EU Commission to exempt plastic pallet wrappings and transit straps from the strict reuse mandates outlined in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). According to a document signed by European Plastics Converters (EuPC), IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen (IK), and Elipso, these packaging formats already incorporate post-consumer recyclate, are fully recyclable, and currently lack viable alternatives that maintain both efficiency and safety in transport.
As reported by Packaging Europe, the PPWR reuse requirements set a 40% reuse quota for pallet wraps and straps when transporting goods between independent economic operators across EU borders, starting January 1, 2030. For domestic transport within an EU Member State or between company sites, the quota rises to 100% reuse, with only a handful of exemptions, such as packaging for hazardous goods, large machinery, and food-contact flexible packaging. Industry leaders argue that these requirements were significantly altered late in the legislative process, leading to unintended regulatory overreach.
“Plastic pallet wrapping and straps are already fully recyclable today and are largely collected as commercial waste after use and recycled into new films and straps,” the document states. “Furthermore, according to the current state of the technology, there is no alternative to plastic pallet wrapping that can secure a load unit with a lower packaging weight and high packaging speed at the same time.”
The document cites European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, who acknowledged in November 2024 that full reuse obligations for pallet wrapping and straps could cause supply chain disruptions, higher economic costs, and negative environmental impacts. In response, the Commission has prioritized a delegated act to review exemptions, with a study on the issue expected in the first half of 2025 and potential legal exemptions finalized in the second half of the year.
Industry Advocates for a Science-Based Review
The European plastic packaging sector is backing ISO-compliant life cycle assessments to compare current recyclable plastic solutions with potential reusable alternatives, including paper and cardboard options. Industry leaders argue that material-specific rules in the PPWR unfairly target plastics while granting exemptions to other materials, which may not yield better environmental outcomes.
Martin Engelmann, director general at IK and a signatory on the document, criticized the reuse quotas for transport packaging, calling them “completely mismanaged in the hectic legislative process” (Packaging Europe). Additional signatories, including Paolo Bochicchio of EuPC and Gaël Bouquet of Elipso, support a revision of the reuse requirements based on scientific impact assessments.
The Evolution of Plastic Pallet Wrap in Logistics
Plastic pallet wrap, also known as stretch film, has been a staple in global supply chains since the 1970s, revolutionizing the way goods are secured, transported, and stored. Originally developed as an efficient alternative to strapping and shrink wrapping, stretch film quickly gained popularity due to its low cost, ease of use, and ability to conform tightly to various load shapes. Made primarily from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), plastic pallet wrap enhances stability, protects shipments from dust and moisture, and reduces product damage during transit.
Over the decades, advances in film technology, recycling capabilities, and downgauging (using thinner films with the same strength properties) have improved its sustainability. Today, many plastic pallet wraps incorporate post-consumer recycled content, and the industry continues to explore bio-based and high-performance recyclable alternatives. Despite these innovations, regulatory pressures in the EU now challenge its continued widespread use, prompting industry leaders to push for science-based exemptions and lifecycle assessments to evaluate its role in sustainable transport packaging.
What’s Next?
As the EU moves toward implementing the PPWR reuse targets, the plastics industry is pushing for regulatory flexibility, arguing that rigid reuse quotas may lead to unintended consequences, including increased costs and inefficiencies in supply chains. The ongoing review process will determine whether pallet wraps and transit straps receive an exemption from the full reuse mandate, a decision that could shape the future of transport packaging regulations in Europe. While there are a variety of reusable pallet wraps and straps available in the market, providers are generally smaller and fragmented.
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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.
