{"id":15047,"date":"2026-01-06T11:06:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T11:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/?p=15047"},"modified":"2026-02-02T12:17:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T12:17:32","slug":"wat-2026-betekent-voor-de-europese-verpakkingsindustrie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/what-2026-means-for-the-european-packaging-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Wat 2026 betekent voor de Europese verpakkingsindustrie"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the European labelling and packaging industry.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From recyclability mandates to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules, brands across Europe are rethinking how products are designed, labelled, and brought to market. But with this transformation also comes opportunity \u2014 to innovate, differentiate, and build stronger consumer trust. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Asteria Group, we believe the future of packaging is measurable, collaborative, and science-driven.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our CEO, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ives-declerck-55b38161\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ives Declerck<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, shares key insights on how the industry is evolving and how leaders are preparing for 2026 and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7984\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7984\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7984\" src=\"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hires-CEO-Asteria-WAL_6940-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Ives Declerck - CEO Asteria Group\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hires-CEO-Asteria-WAL_6940-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hires-CEO-Asteria-WAL_6940-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hires-CEO-Asteria-WAL_6940-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hires-CEO-Asteria-WAL_6940-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hires-CEO-Asteria-WAL_6940-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hires-CEO-Asteria-WAL_6940-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7984\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ives Declerck &#8211; CEO Asteria Group<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>From promises to proof: action-backed sustainability<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sustainability has long been a topic of discussion, but by 2026, it will become a compliance benchmark, shaping how consumers, regulators, and markets evaluate brands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Across the sector, we\u2019re seeing increased demand for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recyclable materials that support circularity goals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash-off technologies that allow packaging components to be reused or recycled more efficiently.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lightweight label materials that reduce CO\u2082 emissions during transport and production.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This shift presents a shared challenge across the industry: balancing sustainability with performance and cost.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through initiatives like the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/verantwoorde-materialen\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asteria Sustainable Solutions (A.S.S.) program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we\u2019re seeing how data-backed material innovation helps brands meet recyclability targets without compromising functionality, a critical step in achieving both regulatory compliance and consumer trust.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-12070 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Duurzaamheidstrends\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image2-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image2.jpg 1999w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Partnership as a growth strategy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The packaging landscape is becoming too complex for brands to navigate alone. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From new material certifications to country-specific recycling schemes, collaboration is key to accelerating change.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brands increasingly seek suppliers who don\u2019t just provide materials but co-create solutions, helping to redesign packaging for efficiency, compliance, and circularity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Successful partnerships often focus on:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing total packaging weight while maintaining visual and structural quality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aligning with national recycling infrastructure, such as the shift to mono-materials.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Educating consumers through transparent labelling that promotes correct recycling behaviour.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Asteria, many of our most impactful results have come from co-development projects where design, sustainability, and engineering teams work together to turn ideas into measurable outcomes.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This spirit of partnership comes to life in our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/asteriagroup\/docs\/asteria-csrd_report_2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sustainability Report 2024<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, featuring our joint work with Cargill on a successful sustainable labelling initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Operational excellence with purpose<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As energy prices fluctuate and environmental targets tighten, efficiency has become both a financial and environmental priority. It\u2019s increasingly clear that sustainability cannot stop at the product, it must extend across every aspect of operations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By 2026, Asteria Group is advancing operational efficiency through sustainable solutions implemented across 40+ sites in 10 countries, with ambitious goals that include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cut waste generation by at least 5% through smart resource management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increase energy efficiency via equipment designed to optimise production, such as LED lighting and other energy-saving technologies. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Achieve a minimum 10% circular revenue share, meaning one in ten euros earned comes from sustainable solutions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These operational shifts not only reduce environmental impact but also ensure production stability and long-term value creation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Science-based targets and transparent reporting<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rise of Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) participation is reshaping accountability in the packaging sector. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Companies are moving beyond voluntary commitments toward validated carbon reduction pathways, aligned with international climate goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For brands, this means selecting partners that can provide verifiable data, from carbon footprints per label to lifecycle assessments of materials.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data-backed sustainability claims will be central to building trust with both consumers and regulators in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In line with this commitment to transparency and measurable progress, Asteria Group has announced in 2025 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our commitment to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/science-based-targets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Science Based Targets initiative<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (SBTi) \u2014 joining a global movement of companies aligning their climate goals with what science says is necessary to limit global warming.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-15049 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ass-star-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Sustainability star\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ass-star-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ass-star-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ass-star-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ass-star-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ass-star-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ass-star.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Looking ahead<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The year ahead will be defined by measurable sustainability, circular design, and cross-sector collaboration, where innovation and responsibility move hand in hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For brands, 2026 is not just a year of new regulations; it\u2019s a year of new possibilities. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A chance to turn packaging from a compliance challenge into a strategic advantage, connecting sustainability, innovation, and consumer trust in every detail.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Together, we can transform packaging into a strategic advantage, one that shapes a more circular, transparent, and resilient future for all.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We wish you a transformative 2026 \u2014 a year defined by collaboration, innovation, and purpose. Together, we can reshape the future of packaging!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udd17 Find out how we\u2019re helping brands stay ahead of the curve: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/verantwoorde-materialen\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/sustainable-solutions\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the European labelling and packaging industry. From recyclability mandates to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules, brands across Europe are rethinking how products are designed, labelled, and brought to market. But with this transformation also comes opportunity \u2014 to innovate, differentiate, and build stronger consumer trust. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":7985,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15047","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15047"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15047\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15053,"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15047\/revisions\/15053"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7985"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asteriagroup.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}