
Increasing the Contribution of Flexible Packaging for the Circular Economy with Suitable System Design Solutions
Frankenthal (Germany), June 25, 2018 - Sustainability is a key element of RKW's corporate policy as well as one of the most important subjects in the plastic packaging industry. Consequently, RKW belongs to many different associations and organizations concerned with sustainability. As a new stakeholder of CEFLEX, a European consortium of companies promoting the recyclability of flexible packaging and the increased use of recycled plastic, RKW will become active in enhancing the sustainability of packaging and developing new industry standards.
Sustainability is one of the most important subjects in the plastic industry, especially in the area of packaging. A representative study [1] shows that sustainability in packaging is important to one in two consumers. This not only applies to the material used to make the packaging, but also to its entire life cycle.
As a leading film manufacturer, RKW assumes responsibility for a worthwhile future. Sustainability is therefore a key component in the RKW corporate policy. As a new stakeholder of CEFLEX, a European consortium of companies promoting the recyclability of flexible packaging and the increased use of recycled plastic, RKW will become active in enhancing the sustainability of packaging solutions and developing new industry standards. Dr Thomas Gröner, Corporate Director of R&D since March 1, 2018, and responsible, amongst others, for sustainability at RKW: "As a supplier of innovative, sustainable packaging solutions and high-performance film for the packaging sector, RKW works together with CEFLEX to support the future-oriented demands of our customers."
CEFLEX is the collaborative initiative of a European consortium of companies that promotes the recycling of flexible packaging. The CEFLEX consortium includes more than 70 well-known stakeholder companies that cover the entire value chain of flexible packaging, from raw material producers and flexible packaging manufacturers, to fast moving consumer goods manufacturers and recycling companies. CEFLEX aims to increase the contribution of flexible packaging to the circular economy by refining suitable system design solutions.
RKW assumes responsibility - and this includes company-wide involvement in sustainability committees. RKW is a member of many associations and organizations concerned with sustainability, such as IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V. (sustainability working group), P&G Suppliers Sustainability Board, EDANA Sustainability Forum, BKV - Plastics, Recycling Concepts, ERDE Recycling and the Zero-Pellet Initiative. The company is also active in many areas of sustainability, for example, through its efforts to reduce film thickness, through developing environmentally-friendly packaging alternatives (FPO®) and in the Zero-Pellet Initiative, where companies commit to minimize the loss of pellets or plastic granulates throughout the process chain.
For more information about RKW, please visit: www.rkw-group.com
Footnote
[1] STI Group, https://www.sti-group.com/de/news/article/nachhaltigkeit-bei-verpackungen-ist-verbrauchern-wichtig-1.html (in German)
The RKW Group
The RKW Group is an independent, family-owned company headquartered in Frankenthal, Germany and one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of excellent film solutions. RKW is the market leader in the areas of hygiene and agricultural films, films for the beverage industry and packaging for powdery goods. In addition, the company makes films and nonwovens for medical applications, for the chemical and converting industries as well as for the construction sector. RKW’s sustainable films enable its customers to improve the daily life of consumers all over the world.
In the fiscal year 2018, RKW generated total sales of EUR 878 million. About 3,000 employees process 367,000 tonnes of plastic materials at 20 locations around the world. True to the corporate slogan “When excellence matters”, the company, which was founded in 1957, offers outstanding performance in terms of quality and service. Respect and reliability are the core values of RKW and form the basis of the company’s success.
Press Contact
RKW SE
Dr Susanne Herchner
Manager Corporate Marketing & Communications
Nachtweideweg 1-7
67227 Frankenthal, Germany
Phone +49-(0)6233-8709-139
susanne.herchner@rkw-group.com