ABMA launches initiative to make industrial aseptic bags recyclable by 2030
Flexible Packaging Europe's aseptic bag market group ABMA has started a three-year cross-industry project to build a collection and recycling system for industrial aseptic bags, used to transport tomatoes, fruit preparations and juices, ahead of EU PPWR recyclability requirements taking effect on 1 January 2030. Participants include Smurfit Westrock, Aran Group, Goglio, Hansin, Kagome, Kraft Heinz and Tesseraux; ABMA warns that without a recycling system the bags could be barred from the EU market, disrupting supplies of tomato and fruit-based food products.
Why this mattersIf unresolved by 2030, non-recyclable multi-material aseptic bags could be excluded from the EU market, threatening supply continuity for major food processors and their packaging suppliers.
- ABMA represents about 90% of the global industrial aseptic bag market
- Industrial aseptic bags range from 220 litres to 1,600 litres and combine polyethylene with barrier materials such as metallised PET, aluminium foil or polyamide
- PPWR recyclability requirements for packaging placed on the EU market apply from 1 January 2030
- The initiative is a three-year project covering technology qualification, an EPR-compliant collection scheme, Design for Recycling guidelines and recyclate food-contact suitability
- Participating companies are Aran Group, Goglio, Hansin, Kagome, Kraft Heinz, Smurfit Westrock and Tesseraux