The big reduction

When the UN's international negotiating committee meets again in Geneva in August 2025, it will be about more than just technical standards. What is discussed there could fundamentally change the global rules of the game for plastic production and recycling. At the center of it all: a global plastics treaty that would regulate the quantity, composition, and recycling of plastics. Particularly affected: industries that rely on flexible packaging. This includes the pet food industry.

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The road to the treaty

Since 2022, UN member states have been negotiating a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. The so-called INC (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee) took a decisive step forward with the fifth round of negotiations (INC-5) in Busan. One thing became particularly clear: the fronts are hardened.

The so-called “High Ambition Coalition” with over 100 countries is calling for binding upper limits on the production of new plastics, clear design standards, and comprehensive recycling requirements. On the other side are mainly countries with strong fossil fuel industries such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, and China. They reject production caps and instead focus on waste management and technical solutions.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF), which has established itself as an influential voice with its “New Plastics Economy” initiative, welcomes the progress made so far but calls for much more ambition: “Design is crucial. It is encouraging to see that many countries now recognize this,” said Rob Opsomer, Plastic Lead at the EMF.

In fact, packaging design is increasingly becoming the focus of discussion. Not only because it determines whether a product is recyclable at all, but also because certain design decisions can prevent waste from being generated in the first place.

Multilayer packaging continues to dominate, especially in the pet food sector. It offers excellent product protection, but consists of several layers of material that cannot be separated and is therefore difficult to recycle. Studies estimate that currently less than 5 percent of this packaging is recycled.

Monomaterials such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) are considered more recyclable, but often offer poorer protection against grease, UV light, and oxygen. Manufacturers such as Amcor and TC Transcontinental are currently working on innovative BOPE (biaxially oriented PE) films to close this gap.

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PCR quotas and composting

Post-consumer recyclates (PCR) also play a central role. Under the Packaging Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the EU stipulates a minimum PCR content of 10 percent in flexible packaging by 2030. By 2040, this figure is set to rise to 25 percent. The UN negotiations could make these quotas mandatory globally. The EMF is even proposing a target of 40 percent.

At the same time, bio-based and compostable packaging solutions are experiencing an upswing. Companies such as Polymateria and Notpla are developing biodegradable alternatives that are performing promisingly in tests, but are still usually more expensive than conventional plastics.

Reactions in the pet food industry are mixed. The European industry association FEDIAF emphasizes the special functional requirements for pet food packaging. Many products are high in fat, sensitive to light, or require a long shelf life. It is therefore calling for transition periods and technology-specific exemptions.

Petcore Europe and Flexible Packaging Europe advocate technology-neutral approaches. They oppose blanket bans and advocate uniform design-for-recycling criteria.

On the corporate side, some manufacturers are already taking a proactive approach: Nestlé Purina wants to make all its packaging recyclable by 2025. In the UK, brands such as Butternut Box and Billy+Margot are experimenting with compostable or recycled packaging.

In addition to the UN negotiations, national legislators are also increasing the pressure. California, for example, requires all packaging to be 100% recyclable by 2032. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US is now also scrutinizing green claims very closely. In Europe, the PPWR will introduce strict recycling quotas, EPR levies, and requirements for recycled content.

At the same time, numerous countries are discussing a ban on PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals.” These are used as a barrier in many types of packaging and could disappear in the medium term.

The challenge for pet food manufacturers lies in striking the right balance: products must be safe, hygienic, and packaged in a way that ensures shelf life, but at the same time they must be recyclable, resource-efficient, and compliant with regulations.

Those who act now can secure a competitive advantage. Packaging with recycled content, clearly declared materials, design-for-recycling concepts, or voluntary take-back systems could become trademarks.

Hesitation, on the other hand, is likely to be costly. Those who are not compliant in 2030 will pay high levies in the EU or lose access to regulatory-intensive markets such as California or Japan.

The plastics treaty is coming – the only question is how strict it will be. Companies in the pet food industry should not see it as a threat, but as an opportunity: for innovation, for sustainable design, for differentiation.

Because in the end, those who started asking the right questions early on could come out ahead: What should packaging look like in 2030? And what can I do today to get there?