Packaging for the food industry
Containers for bakeries, dairies, meat plants and fish processing. HDPE approved for food contact, and a construction that makes it easier to maintain hygiene standards in line with HACCP principles.
Two significant regulatory changes are coming for the food industry – most of the PPWR provisions start to apply on 12 August 2026.
The PPWR restricts the use of PFAS in all packaging intended to come into contact with food (Article 5(5)) and sets re-use targets for transport packaging – at least 40% of packaging fit for re-use within a re-use system from 1 January 2030, with an endeavour to reach 70% from 1 January 2040, for the economic operators that use such packaging.
From 12 August 2026, PFAS in packaging intended to come into contact with food are subject to the thresholds in Article 5(5).
Above those thresholds the packaging may not be placed on the market – this covers, among other things, paper fast-food packaging with a fluorinated coating; below the thresholds the packaging remains permitted. bekuplast food-contact containers are made from HDPE approved for food contact.
Tightening regulatory requirements and the expectations of the retail chains
are speeding up the roll-out of reusable transport packaging.
A construction that makes it easier to meet hygiene requirements in HACCP systems
and during BRCGS and IFS audits – smooth walls, no places where soiling collects, and resistance to washing at high temperature.
The bakeline series
covers bakery containers made from HDPE. For meat, poultry and dairy plants we offer containers from the EURO-NORM meat and poultry range, together with solutions for the food industry.
CHALLENGES
Four challenges for food plants
We answer each of them with a specific type of packaging for the food industry, approved for food contact.
The PFAS restriction in food packaging (Article 5(5) of the PPWR)
From 12 August 2026, packaging intended to come into contact with food may not be placed on the market where the concentration of PFAS reaches or exceeds the thresholds set out in Article 5(5) of the PPWR. The provision makes no exception for any type of packaging – it covers every packaging intended to come into contact with food, regardless of whether the PFAS are present as a constituent of the material, as a coating or as an additive. PFAS were widely used as coatings giving resistance to grease and moisture in some single-use food packaging, among them chip boxes, fast-food packaging and certain paper cups.
Hygiene – smooth walls, no residue traps, resistance to washing at high temperature
Meat plants, dairies and bakeries need containers that are easy to wash and disinfect. Containers with textured walls collect grease, flour and residue.
40% re-use of transport packaging (Article 29(1))
From 1 January 2030, some of the businesses that use transport packaging will have to reach a 40% share of reusable packaging operating within a re-use system (Article 29(1) of the PPWR). For food producers supplying the retail chains this means a gradual increase in the use of reusable transport packaging across the whole supply chain.
Bread crates – the seasonal peak in the fourth quarter
Bakeries supplying the retail chains see a marked peak in demand in December (Christmas, New Year’s Eve), well above the annual average. The crate fleet has to keep up with those swings.
CHALLENGES
Four challenges for food plants
We answer each of them with a specific type of packaging for the food industry, approved for food contact.
The PFAS restriction in food packaging (Article 5(5) of the PPWR)
From 12 August 2026, packaging intended to come into contact with food may not be placed on the market where the concentration of PFAS reaches or exceeds the thresholds set out in Article 5(5) of the PPWR. The provision makes no exception for any type of packaging – it covers every packaging intended to come into contact with food, regardless of whether the PFAS are present as a constituent of the material, as a coating or as an additive. PFAS were widely used as coatings giving resistance to grease and moisture in some single-use food packaging, among them chip boxes, fast-food packaging and certain paper cups.
Hygiene – smooth walls, no residue traps, resistance to washing at high temperature
Meat plants, dairies and bakeries need containers that are easy to wash and disinfect. Containers with textured walls collect grease, flour and residue.
40% re-use of transport packaging (Article 29(1))
From 1 January 2030, some of the businesses that use transport packaging will have to reach a 40% share of reusable packaging operating within a re-use system (Article 29(1) of the PPWR). For food producers supplying the retail chains this means a gradual increase in the use of reusable transport packaging across the whole supply chain.
Bread crates – the seasonal peak in the fourth quarter
Bakeries supplying the retail chains see a marked peak in demand in December (Christmas, New Year’s Eve), well above the annual average. The crate fleet has to keep up with those swings.
PPWR · COMPLIANCE
The PFAS restriction and the re-use targets – two key PPWR requirements for the food industry
Two key PPWR requirements apply to the food industry: the restrictions on PFAS in all packaging intended to come into contact with food (Article 5(5), from 12 August 2026) and the re-use targets for transport packaging (Article 29(1), from 1 January 2030). On top of that, the growth of extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems raises the importance of reusable packaging and affects the cost of using single-use packaging.
NEXT STEPS
What you can do now
The PFAS restriction applies from 12 August 2026 and covers all packaging intended to come into contact with food (Article 5(5)) – grease-resistant paper and barrier coatings among them.
in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR)
PPWR COST
The cost of switching to reusable packaging
Compare the cost of single-use packaging with that of returnable containers that support the hygiene requirements of your HACCP system – the calculator will show the break-even point for the switch to reusable packaging.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Are bekuplast containers approved for food contact?
Yes – the series intended for the food industry are made from material approved for food contact. On request we provide the material and conformity documentation for the particular series.
Do bekuplast containers contain PFAS?
The HDPE used in our containers for the food industry is approved for food contact. The PFAS restriction under the PPWR (Article 5(5), applying from 12 August 2026) relates to the concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the packaging, regardless of whether they are present as a constituent of the material, as a coating or as an additive. Do get in touch if you need detailed material information for your own application.
At what temperatures can I wash bakeline containers?
bakeline containers made from HDPE withstand working temperatures from -20°C to +70°C and resist the standard cleaning and disinfecting agents used under a HACCP regime, with no deformation or discolouration.
Can I order a bread crate with custom marking?
Yes – bekuplast containers have handles and label fields that make identification easier, and we match the marking and personalisation (including markings for distribution purposes) to the particular application; the details are agreed case by case.
Do you have containers for dairies?
Yes – basicline containers and bottle crates with dividers for glass bottles. For dairies introducing returnable bottles we will select a solution to match the distribution system in use.
What happens next to paper and wooden crates in the food industry?
From 12 August 2026, paper with a PFAS coating may not be placed on the market as packaging intended to come into contact with food where the concentration of PFAS reaches or exceeds the thresholds in Article 5(5); below those thresholds the packaging remains permitted. Wooden crates and pallets require phytosanitary treatment (ISPM 15) when exported outside the EU and will gradually be replaced. HDPE remains the standard material – it is suitable for recycling and has a long service life.
What are the delivery terms?
Minimum order quantities, together with lead and delivery times, are agreed individually and depend on the product (a catalogue item or a made-to-order version).
Contact
Let’s discuss a solution for your process
- A quick reply
- We talk about your specific needs
- Free and with no obligation
- Product samples available
