A new era in packaging is taking shape around lower resource use, longer product life and greater circularity.
The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR – Regulation (EU) 2025/40) is establishing a new framework for the packaging sector. Generally applicable from 12 August 2026, the Regulation places increasing emphasis on packaging waste prevention, minimisation, recyclability, recycled content and reuse.
At Netpak Ambalaj, our R&D and product development activities have long focused on optimising material use, incorporating recycled raw materials, increasing product durability and developing solutions designed for repeated use.
How Is PPWR Changing the Packaging Sector?
Under the evolving PPWR framework, evaluating packaging only by whether it can be recycled at the end of its life is no longer sufficient. The complete life cycle of packaging — from its design and material use to recycled content and reuse potential — is becoming increasingly important.
- Reducing unnecessary packaging and material use,
- Developing packaging designed for recyclability,
- Increasing the use of recycled raw materials,
- Supporting reuse and longer product life
are among the key principles shaping the transformation of the packaging sector.
Neteco: Keeping Recycled Materials in the Loop
Neteco is a multilayer reusable carrier bag solution developed by Netpak to incorporate recycled plastic raw materials into a new product cycle.
By using recycled materials, Neteco contributes to reducing demand for virgin raw materials. The product is also designed so that, at the end of its useful life, its material can be reintroduced into recycling processes and potentially used again in the production of new bags.
Its reusable structure, recycled material approach and recyclability support the principles of a circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible.
Netstrong: Greater Durability with Optimised Material Use
Another important aspect of modern packaging design is achieving the required performance while optimising the amount of material used.
Developed by Netpak, Netstrong uses an integrated mesh reinforcement structure to provide 30% greater durability compared with standard alternatives.
Its reinforced structure is designed to provide high carrying performance while reducing raw material requirements. Depending on the application and customer requirements, Netstrong can also be manufactured with up to 60% recycled content.
Increasing durability also contributes to extending the useful life of the bag and supporting repeated use. Material optimisation, recycled content and reuse therefore become part of the same product development approach.
What Questions Will Shape the Future of Packaging?
As the PPWR framework develops, several questions are becoming increasingly important in packaging design: How much material is being used? How much recycled content does the product contain? How many times can it be reused? Can its material return to the recycling system at the end of its useful life?
This means that packaging increasingly needs to be evaluated not through a single environmental attribute, but through its complete material and usage cycle.
Netpak’s R&D Approach: More Efficient and Circular Design
Netpak Ambalaj continues to develop reusable carrier bags by considering product performance, durability, material optimisation, recycled content and recyclability together.
Neteco and Netstrong are two examples of this R&D approach. Through different engineering solutions, both products aim to improve resource efficiency while supporting longer and repeated use.
You can discover Neteco, Netstrong and Netpak’s other reusable carrier bag solutions on our nonwoven bag models page.
Packaging needs are evolving. At Netpak, we continue to develop next-generation carrier bag solutions focused on lower resource use, longer product life and greater circularity.
