Europe: ecological requirements for the agro-industrial sector

The European Commission has presented a set of actions to accelerate the transition toward a circular economy, with a particular focus on the plastics sector.

By optimizing the recycling of this material, these measures aim to unlock the potential of the single market and improve economic security, strategic autonomy, competitiveness, and environmental sustainability, according to Brussels.
 

New packaging regulation drives sustainability

A key element of this strategy is Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste, which establishes strict requirements on sustainability, eco-design, reuse, and recycling across the entire life cycle. The objective is to reduce unnecessary waste and harmonize the EU internal market.

Under this framework, all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable by 2030. Minimum recycled content targets are imposed for plastic packaging, and reuse and refill measures are encouraged.

In terms of plastic reduction, the regulation aims to eliminate unnecessary packaging and restrict certain single-use plastics. Deposit and return systems are also being introduced for specific packaging types. As an EU regulation, it will be directly applicable and will prevail over national laws from August 2026.
 

Higher costs for the agri-food industry

The new regulation will significantly impact the daily operations of the agri-food industry and affect its cost structure. According to the Spanish Federation of Food and Beverage Industries (FIAB), most aspects related to extended producer responsibility (EPR) involve substantial costs for companies, which have already been assuming these obligations since the first regulation in 1998.

The technical and economic requirements of the new regulation are very demanding. In particular, the deposit return system (DRS) represents a shift in the business model and will require major investments.

The DRS is a waste management system in which consumers pay a small deposit when purchasing beverages (bottles, cans), which is refunded when the empty container is returned at collection points.

According to FIAB, the regulation includes requirements for which companies are not given sufficient time to adapt, especially as some methodologies are still under development and not yet published.

One example is the restriction on the use of PFAs (perfluoroalkoxy alkanes). The sector is working to transition to packaging that does not contain these substances, but requires a transition period to clear existing stock and avoid waste of both empty packaging and products already on the market.

Regarding some of the new features of the regulation, FIAB noted that reuse should only be implemented where it is demonstrably the most beneficial option from environmental, social, technical, and economic perspectives.

Additionally, concerns were raised about areas that generate uncertainty and require clarification, such as requirements for grouped packaging or the development of secondary raw materials markets, particularly to facilitate access to recycled plastics for the food industry.
 

Circular economy strategies in Spain

Spain is also advancing in this direction through the Spanish Circular Economy Strategy (EEEC), “España Circular 2030,” which lays the foundation for a new production and consumption model in which the value of products, materials, and resources is maintained in the economy for as long as possible.

The goal is to minimize waste generation. The strategy contributes to Spain’s efforts to achieve a sustainable, decarbonized, resource-efficient, and competitive economy, according to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition.

The Spanish Circular Economy Strategy aligns with the objectives of the European Union’s circular economy action plans — “Closing the loop: an EU action plan for the circular economy” (2015) and “A new Circular Economy Action Plan for a cleaner Europe” (2020) — as well as with the European Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
 

Targets to reduce waste and emissions

The strategy sets a series of quantitative targets for 2030, including reducing national material consumption by 30% relative to GDP, cutting waste generation by 15%, reducing food waste, and improving water-use efficiency by 10%.

It also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to below 10 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

The EEEC identifies six priority sectors: construction, agri-food, fisheries and forestry, industry, consumer goods, tourism, and textiles and apparel.

The main lines of action for circular economy policies and instruments are eight in total.

Five are linked to closing the loop: production, consumption, waste management, secondary raw materials, and water reuse.

The remaining three are cross-cutting: awareness and participation, research, innovation and competitiveness, and employment and training.