New Packaging Competence Center Paves the Way for Sustainable Packaging Solutions
A new initiative is set to reshape the packaging industry by providing manufacturers with expert guidance on sustainable and future-proof packaging solutions. Gerhard Schubert GmbH and the Berlin-based Berndt+Partner Group have combined their expertise to establish the Packaging Competence Center (PCC), a collaborative hub focused on regulatory compliance, packaging design, material innovation, and automation technology.
The PCC aims to support manufacturers in navigating the challenges of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and other sustainability concerns. With new packaging regulations demanding rapid adaptation and compliance, companies must rethink their packaging strategies while ensuring that production processes remain efficient and cost-effective.
A Holistic Approach to Regulatory Challenges
The PPWR is designed to make the packaging industry more sustainable by reducing environmental impact. However, many manufacturers are struggling with the tight deadlines, varying implementation timelines, and lack of detailed guidance. The PCC offers expert consultation to help businesses evaluate and implement compliant packaging solutions without disrupting their operations.
Michael Graf, Head of the PCC and a sustainability expert at Schubert, highlights the practical implications: "Manufacturers must consider the feasibility of packaging modifications, such as switching from plastic flowpacks to paper wraps for chocolate bars. These changes affect not only material choice but also machine performance and adhesive applications."
Comprehensive Expertise Under One Roof
The key strength of the PCC lies in its integration of regulatory, design, and automation expertise. Berndt+Partner's bp Consultants clarify PPWR requirements and their impact on packaging portfolios, while Schubert ensures that new packaging designs are compatible with automated production systems.
"As a leader in packaging machinery, we are excited to collaborate with Berndt+Partner, one of Europe's top packaging consultancies," says Marcel Kiessling, Managing Director of Gerhard Schubert GmbH. "The Packaging Competence Center is a collaborative initiative that provides businesses with the technical and strategic support needed to enhance both efficiency and sustainability.”
The Impact Check: A Tailored Evaluation Process
For companies considering a shift to paper-based or recyclable mono-material packaging, the PCC offers an Impact Check—a structured evaluation that determines whether a manufacturer's packaging meets regulatory requirements or requires adjustments.
Through this process, Berndt+Partner Creality, the packaging design and branding subsidiary of the Berndt+Partner Group, assists in refining packaging concepts while ensuring compatibility with automated processing.
Practical Testing and Ongoing Support
Once a packaging concept is finalized, Schubert conducts real-world tests at its Crailsheim facility to determine whether new materials and formats can be processed efficiently. Adjustments to packaging machinery may be necessary to optimize performance.
"Sustainability should be approached holistically," Graf emphasizes. "Our Mission Blue Initiative underscores that packaging alone—whether paper-based or mono-film—does not define sustainability. Systems and upstream design considerations are equally important."
Recognizing the ever-evolving nature of regulations, the PCC offers ongoing support to manufacturers, ensuring they remain ahead of industry changes. "As regulatory frameworks shift, manufacturers will need creative, adaptable solutions—and they will find them at the Packaging Competence Center," concludes Matthias Giebel, Partner at bp Consultants.
The Packaging Competence Center is set to become an essential resource for companies striving to align their packaging strategies with sustainability goals while maintaining efficiency and regulatory compliance.