Adnkronos Rome, Nov. 14 (Adnkronos) – Designing increasingly recyclable packaging that avoids waste in the production chain. On this topic, the press conference for the presentation of the new manual of the Italian Box Factories Association for corrugated cardboard packaging was held today at the Chamber of Deputies.
The Italian Box Manufacturers Association, which brings together the main Italian producers of corrugated cardboard packaging, represents a sector with a total turnover of over 1,2 billion euros and which provides employment to thousands of people throughout the country. To confirm its commitment to promoting the circular economy and reducing environmental impact, the association has recently published a new handbook on corrugated cardboard, a guide in line with the most recent European directives on sustainability entitled 'Corrugated cardboard packaging. General information and production aspects - technical and commercial guidelines'.
Corrugated cardboard – explains the Association – is a key resource for promoting an economy that operates in total respect of the environment: a material that could potentially replace plastic or other materials with a high environmental impact in numerous sectors. Corrugated cardboard stands out for its characteristics: resistance, lightness, recyclability and biodegradability. This material, made up of layers of corrugated paper and liner, joined by natural starch-based glues (derived from corn or potatoes), is biodegradable and, in some cases, compostable. Thanks to its versatility, it is suitable for different types of packaging, from primary to tertiary, with variable resistance depending on the type of wave used (single, double or triple).
In Italy, over 80% of the raw materials used for the production of cardboard come from recycled paper. The 29th Comieco Annual Report highlights a recycling rate of cellulose packaging in 2023 equal to 92,3%, a level that largely exceeds the objectives set by the EU for 2030. Furthermore, over 90% of the virgin fiber used by the European paper industry comes from expanding European forests, of which over 70% is FSC or PEFC certified.
"Being here today to represent the box factories and launch the first specific technical manual for our sector marks a very important milestone for our association and for all our companies. The Manual will help us to grow in line with the green transition and to be more recognizable in a complex supply chain that has always given little value to the converting box factories, small and medium-sized Italian-owned companies that operate throughout the country - said Andrea Mecarozzi, president of the Italian Box Factory Association - However, we do not want to stop here: our future goal now is to increasingly involve the competent ministries and institutions to also support our sector so that it continues to apply the virtuous approach and does not suffer disadvantages compared to investments already made in other competing sectors. We want sustainable packaging solutions like ours to be increasingly competitive and accessible, also from an economic point of view".
