European Parliament Member Visits Koehler Paper: Discussions Revolve Around High Energy Prices and Reducing the Use of Plastic in Packaging
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Prof. Dr. Andrea Wechsler, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and part of the EPP European political party, has argued for the need to speed up the switch from environmentally harmful plastic-based packaging to environmentally friendly paper-based packaging solutions. Needless to say, her advocacy includes creating the policy conditions that will make this possible. During a joint visit to Koehler Paper in Oberkirch with Member of the German Bundestag Johannes Rothenberger (CDU) and Baden-Wurttemberg state parliament candidate Dr. Katrin Merkel (CDU), Wechsler underscored just how important it is for the world to leave disposable plastic packaging in supermarkets and other industries behind in order to effectively stop plastic pollution in our oceans and elsewhere. Their visit was combined with a visit to Hansgrohe’s site in the nearby city of Offenburg.
Reducing the amount of disposable plastic packaging: a need for more meaningful packaging classifications
Against a backdrop of tremendous amounts of plastic waste worldwide, people are increasingly training their sights on paper-based retail packaging – this packaging is significantly more environmentally friendly than plastic packaging, and can be disposed of as wastepaper and then recycled into a valuable and scarce secondary raw material that is desperately needed in Germany. Moreover, paper – at least in the case of Koehler Paper – is based on renewable raw materials from sustainable forestry and controlled sources. This of course underscores how, as mentioned previously, paper-based packaging is an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic-based packaging. During her visit, Prof. Wechsler spelled out what is needed in order to bring a change about: “Policymakers need to create the necessary incentives to bring about a switch to sustainable, recyclable solutions faster, and they need to do this right now where competitive paper solutions are available on the market and can replace plastic.” This, of course, would include a meaningful definition of paper in the concrete implementation of the EU Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Koehler Paper COO Dr. Stefan Karrer corroborated this need and pointed out: “Existing regulations mean that producers of products such as food currently have to contend with enormous barriers when attempting to switch to environmentally sound and easily recyclable paper-based packaging, which is why they continue to rely on plastic-based packaging instead.” This means that unnecessary amounts of plastic are being used and disposed of every single day.
Long-term reduction in energy prices vital in order to secure competitiveness in Germany
During the MEP’s visit, Koehler Paper representatives also underscored just how important it is for German SMEs to see a change in energy prices in Germany in order to become competitive once again. COO Dr. Stefan Karrer clarified: “Due to high energy costs in Germany, we’re experiencing enormous competitive disadvantages in an industry where competition is global. In order to be able to ensure job security and value creation in this country, we really need to once again have public grid energy prices that are internationally competitive and can be reliably budgeted for.”
During their chat with the MEP, Koehler Paper representatives insisted that it is absolutely crucial for the actions planned by Germany’s federal government to truly bring relief to companies and to not be rendered ineffective as a result of other support measures being wound down. Put simply, energy prices are a powerful lever that can be used to noticeably improve the German industry’s situation and ensure job security.
Best regards
Alexander M. Stöckle Corporate Director Marketing & Communications Press Spokesperson
Koehler Holding SE & Co. KG
Tel: +49 7802 81-4749 Fax: +49 7802 81-5749 mailto:alexander.stoeckle@koehler.com