2022 is drawing to a close and it is a good time to review the key highlights from 2022 and the main goals set for 2023 for the three project workstreams...take a look!

Thank you team AFSP for your active participation in shaping the future of sustainability in the adhesive tape industry!  

Here’s a wrap-up of the discussions that took place in each of the workstreams in Q4 2022: 

WS1 – Calculation Methods

WS1 participants have agreed to set up an internal team called the PCF Taskforce, which will work closely with the external consultant to develop the sector-wide tool for harmonized PCF calculation of tapes. The Taskforce will consist of a handful of representatives from member companies including both large and small tape manufacturers. Their main role will be to provide clear specifications and input to the external consultant to ensure the development of a comprehensive sector-wide tool. The initial focus will be on understanding the data needs (tape components, manufacturing processes, etc.) and to agree on the scope and system boundaries.

A workshop for Afera members will be organised early next year, where the external consultant will present the details regarding the tool and its advantages. Beyond PCF, Afera plans to also engage the external consultant to provide guidance on the anticipated updates regarding the calculation of the environmental impact of tapes (PEF, new impact categories, etc.).

WS2 – Waste Management

The recently concluded release liner recycling survey captured inputs from the tape manufacturers. Based on the results and insights gathered, a formalised report will be shared with the survey participants shortly. Further inputs from tape users will be gathered later next year. 

Close collaboration with CELAB on the topic of waste management has inspired WS2 to develop a database of collectors and recyclers of release liners and other tape waste. An online form will be used to gather details of collectors and recyclers that Afera members are currently working with or are aware of. It will also capture information regarding current practices (type and volume of waste collected, pre-requisites for acceptance of waste material, geographical regions covered, etc.).      

An important topic of discussion for WS2 (and WS3 too!) in Q4 was the publication of the EU commission’s revised proposal for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, which will be changed to a Regulation (thus termed PPWR). So far, it is not clear if release liners and surface protection tapes will fall under the definition of “packaging”.  A public consultation on the proposal  will remain open until at least mid-February 2023 and WS3, together with Afera’s Regulatory Affairs workgroup, will formalise the next steps to address the grey areas in the legal text.   

WS3 – Advocacy

Late October 2022, a month before the publication of the revised proposal for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), the draft version of the legal text was leaked and appeared in the media. Afera’s Regulatory Affairs committee and Advocacy WS, through swift action, put together a position paper expressing Afera’s concerns about the premature inclusion of a negative list of packaging characteristics in the legislation and offering a different strategy of achieving the goals of the revision by strengthening criteria for Design for Recycling. 

Afera also endorsed a joint industry statement from the Packaging Chain Forum (organized by EUROPEN), which was sent to high level politicians in the European Commission to raise awareness on 3 areas: the negative list (recyclability), reuse/refill targets, and recycled content thresholds.

WS3 is also reviewing the updated legal text of the Construction Product Regulation (CPR) in detail to get a better understanding of the changes in product areas, definitions, declarations, etc. This is particularly important because Construction could be the first sector/market where Digital Product Passport (with links to Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation) may be required for Tapes.   

Together with analysing the impact of microplastics restriction on tapes, WS3 is also keeping a close watch on emerging regulatory issues such as the potential REACH restriction of PVC or PVC additives.

Lastly, the work to develop guidance documents is ongoing: (1) ISCC PLUS certification for tapes, (2) the impact of UK Plastic Packaging Taxis on tapes, (3) Sustainable use of tapes in packaging applications. 

After one year of intense cooperation, the AFSP has booked significant progress tackling the relevant sustainability issues of concern to the industry. We managed to get together the right experts to advance the specific topics, going beyond the regular Afera participants. Technical issues such as the calculation of environmental impact and the facilitating of recycling are being well developed, and the efforts on advocacy are becoming visible internally and externally. We look forward to further progress in 2023!

If you would also like to participate in the AFSP Workstreams, please register your interest with us.

For any further questions, contact us at: AFSP@afera.com