PPWR and the future of recyclable packaging

The EU’s new PPWR legislation (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) is changing how packaging is designed, produced and recycled in Europe. The aim is to reduce the amount of packaging waste and strengthen the circular economy through stricter requirements for recycling, material selection and design.

Among other things, PPWR means that all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable by 2030 and that materials, construction and labelling must be designed to work within established recycling systems.

PPWR also requires packaging to be designed for efficient sorting and recycling. This means that material combinations that make recycling more difficult will be phased out while solutions that support Design for Recycling will become increasingly important.

KURZ aligned with PPWR

No plastic is transferred

In hot stamping and cold transfer, the polyester film only acts as a carrier. It is not transferred to the packaging but remains in the production process. The result is that no plastic film is left on the finished packaging.

Ultra-thin metal layer

The metallic layer that is transferred is extremely thin, around 20 nanometres (0.02 µm). That corresponds to approximately 0.00002 millimetres, which is thousands of times thinner than a human hair. The actual amount of metal on the packaging is therefore very small.

Sorted and recycled

Independent tests show that packaging with KURZ decoration can be sorted and recycled in standardised recycling systems for paper and board, provided the decoration follows established guidelines for a maximum coverage area of 70% of the packaging.

KURZ – Test results for sorting and recycling of paper packaging

Minimal material use

The decoration is applied only where the design requires it. This means material use is very low compared with, for example, metallised laminates where the entire surface is covered. The result is lower material consumption with the right conditions for recycling.

FAQ - PPWR

Can KURZ transfer foil be used on packaging that is intended to comply with PPWR?

Yes. KURZ transfer foil can be used as part of packaging that is designed and assessed to comply with PPWR. However, it is the finished packaging as a whole that must meet the requirements

Does the PET film remain on the finished packaging?

No. The PET film is used only as a carrier and is removed after application. Only a very thin decorative layer remains on the packaging.

Can packaging with KURZ transfer foil be automatically sorted?

Yes. Tests published by KURZ show that paper and board packaging with transfer decoration can be identified and sorted in automatic sorting systems using near-infrared technology (NIR). In the tests carried out, the transfer decoration did not prevent sorting. However, the final sortability always depends on the materials, construction and other components of the packaging as a whole.

Can the packaging still be recycled?

Yes. KURZ tests show that fibre-based packaging with transfer decoration can be recycled in established paper and board recycling systems.

Can the decorative layer be removed during deinking?

Yes. KURZ commissioned INGEDE to test 22 representative transfer products from the product groups LUXOR®/ALUFIN®, LUMAFIN®, COLORIT® and LIGHT LINE®. All 22 received a rating of ”Good” for deinking.

The selection included different colours, metallised and pigmented decorations, matt and gloss finishes and different adhesive systems. KURZ chose the products to represent the company’s transfer product range.

Is there a general limit on how much of the surface may be decorated?

No. PPWR does not set a general limit on how much of the surface may be decorated. What matters is that the finished packaging can still be sorted and recycled. Independent tests commissioned by KURZ show that packaging with up to 70% decorated surface coverage could be identified in their NIR sorting tests.

Is KURZ transfer foil the same as a laminate film?

No. In the transfer process, the PET carrier is removed. With lamination, the plastic film remains on the packaging and can make material separation more difficult.

Is KURZ transfer foil PPWR approved?

There is no separate general PPWR approval for foil. KURZ foil can be used in packaging designed to comply with PPWR, but compliance must be assessed for the finished packaging.

Premium design in a circular packaging economy

PPWR does not mean that decorative effects will disappear from packaging. It does mean, however, that decoration must be used in a more considered way.

With decoration solutions from KURZ, printers and packaging producers can create packaging that combines:

premium feel with strong visual impact
efficient use of materials
compatibility with modern recycling systems

The result is packaging that both strengthens the brand and meets the sustainability requirements of the future.

Order a brochure that clearly demonstrates that no plastic film is transferred during the foil stamping process by clicking the “Request Contact / Samples” button in the bottom right-hand corner.

Please feel free to contact us for more information on how the KURZ product range can be used in PPWR-compliant production.