As Europe strengthens its laws and policies to deal with the increase of plastic waste across the EU, Mauro Stipa, Sales Manager of Fresh Produce Packaging Export at ILIP, believes the continent is taking it too far. He just visited the Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong and shared how the Asia Pacific economy shows astonishing growth figures. "And finally," he reports - "a lot of plastic!"
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Added value of plastic
According to Mauro, growers do not complain about the low price/kg obtained from the big retail chains, also because e-commerce is constantly on the up. And he says, unlike in Europe, RPET packaging was never 'demonized' in these markets, as it represents an added value. "To counterbalance the odd weather, in fact, Asian consumers need the fresh produce to move (between continents as well): local fruit/vegetables could never meet the huge demand of these countries."
"There is no 'obsessive' attention for packaging, as they are more focused on the content," Mauro says. "Purchases depend on competitive prices, a guarantee of hygiene/quality, a perception of healthiness, and, only in the last position, attention to the environment, as was shared by Nielsen IQ Asia during the Asiafruit Congress. This makes it the perfect scenario for recycled plastic packaging... or not recycled."
Harassment of a sector with plastic punishment
"If this is the (successful) business model in APAC countries, why do EU politicians continue to 'harass' a sector that is already suffering?" Mauro wonders. "In Europe, taxes and limitations on plastic fall on the community, while Asia punishes the single person who pollutes. For example, if you smoke in Singapore, you risk being jailed. And, even if Europe was to ban plastic, millions of tons would still be used in Asia, Africa, or South America, while our operators would be less competitive to the benefit of these dynamic/aggressive newcomers. "
The mantra of excellent businesses such as Pagoda is 'Buy Now / Deliver Now,' he gives as an example. "If we do not start to eliminate false perceptions/useless restrictions, our chain will never be able to compete with or defend itself against such giants."
Click here for an overview of the plastic packaging solutions at the fair