Recently, a new collaboration between 18 European companies involved in all aspects of EPS foam, has launched an initiative to increase awareness of the benefits of EPS packaging. They’re calling it Smart Packaging Europe and have created a website to aid in its awareness mission. The initiative is backed by the association for European Manufacturers of Expanded Polystyrene (EUMEPS). Like the EPS Industry Alliance does for North American companies, EUMEPS serves as the voice of the EPS industry in Europe.
The EPS industry in Europe covers thousands of businesses and more than 60,000 employees. Smart Packaging Europe aims to educate both consumers and businesses about the value of EPS foam. It highlights three main reasons: versatility, reliability, and sustainability. They state “Expanded polystyrene is a highly versatile packaging material widely used to protect everything from electronics to bees to people: EPS is widely used in bicycle, ski and snowboard helmets, children’s car seats and life vests – applications in which both safety regulations and users demand exceptional performance.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!
Sustainability is a key component for the entire EPS industry, but it is even more crucial to educate leaders and businesses about the sustainability of EPS foam in Europe. Driven by the more progressive countries in Northern Europe and Germany, the European Union as a whole often has much stricter environmental regulations than North America. While this is certainly good for the planet we live on, it does make it that much more urgent that governments, businesses, and consumers alike know the powerful contributions EPS foam can make to a sustainable world.
If you have been following us for a while, you will know that Plymouth Foam, An Altor Solutions company, believes strongly in educating consumers about the values of EPS foam and its role in a sustainable supply chain. It is exciting to see our European partners taking the same steps! Interested in a professional role in the EPS industry? Check out our open positions: https://www.plymouthfoam.com/who-are-we/employment/