Inno-Talk - FlexPack Knowledge

Title: PET bottle vs. stand-up pouch: The battle of the systems (AI debate)Rigid bottle or flexible high-tech membrane? In this experimental AI special episode, we pit two AI voices against each other in a head-to-head debate. Based on Dr Bernd Knierbein’s series of specialist articles, we analyse the physical, manufacturing and environmental limitations of both packaging concepts.Topics covered in this episode:Manufacturing: 5-gram preforms in injection stretch blow moulding vs. triplex barrier films with SiOx coatingSterilisation: Aseptic UHT cold filling vs. autoclaving at 121 °C for products containing solidsPractical application & logistics: Pallet statics, micro-leaks and the advantage of germ-free residual emptyingCircular economy: Float-sink density separation for PET vs. the evolution of single-material packaging (all-PP)You can find the detailed technical article on this debate on INNO-Talk. Please feel free to give us your feedback on this experimental episode directly in the Spotify comments!

In this episode, Julian Thielen talks with Dominik Lichtenthäler (Interzero) about the key developments in the flexpack industry in July.Episode Topics:✅ Recap of the German Packaging Award jury session in early July – around 220 entries, 36 winners, and tips for future applicants✅ Winner spotlight: push-pull closure from Werner & Mertz and Abda Closures made from 100% PCR material, produced using a new in-mould assembly process✅ Recycled content in flexpack – new entries with 30–35% PCR content sourced from Germany's yellow bag system, including applications in detergent and food packaging✅ ProPakMa study on the recyclability of paper packaging – why rigid thresholds like Germany's 95/5 rule fall short, and how other EU countries apply significantly different ratios✅ Practical insights after 8 years of "Made for Recycling" testing: comparing extrusion, dispersion, and wax coatings plus metallization – and why wax coatings, despite good CEPI test results, cause real problems in practice✅ Why the quality of paper/board/carton from yellow-bag sorting (LVP) remains poor, and why the blue bin must not become "the new yellow bin"✅ Digital Product Passport: the EU has launched an official register along with a testing environment – what this means for manufacturers, brands, and recyclers✅ Confidentiality vs. disclosure obligations – why suppliers hesitate to share material data, and why clear contractual agreements will become essential going forward✅ Inside Interzero's "Check for Recycling" tool for creating conformity declarations – onboarding experiences ranging from large corporations to overwhelmed SMEs✅ Preview of the InnoPouch Conference in Barcelona: talks on the Digital Product Passport (Albin Kaelin) and Check for Recycling (Alexandre Zuber)✅ PPWR Day on August 12 – are companies ready with their conformity declarations, or will many not tackle the topic until 2027?A conversation about recyclability, data quality, the German Packaging Award, and the upcoming PPWR deadlines for the flexpack industry.

Is it a bottle? A pouch? Both – and neither. In this episode, Julian talks with Mauro Tocco, Sales Director EMEA at AeroFlexx, about a packaging innovation that combines the best of rigid bottles and flexible pouches into a single product: the AeroFlexx PAK.Mauro explains how the idea came about, why the product is deliberately called "PAK" instead of "Pack," how the patented Frame technology and self-sealing valve work, and why the product can be recycled like a rigid bottle despite its flexible construction. Also covered: current market applications in the US, the planned European launch in 2027, plans for recycled content, and AeroFlexx's global growth strategy.Links & Resources🔗 AeroFlexx / 3D shape configurator: aeroflexx.com📍 Upcoming opportunities to experience AeroFlexx in person: PACK EXPO (Chicago), Sustainable Packaging Summit (Utrecht), possibly INNO-Pouch (Barcelona)About the GuestMauro Tocco is Sales Director EMEA at AeroFlexx and has been with the company since 2024, though he was already involved with the project earlier from the technology side.

In this episode of Inno-Talk, Heike Schwertke (Innoform Testservice) discusses the latest challenges in food packaging—from the regulatory framework to emerging requirements driven by PFAS and the PPWR.Topics covered in this episode:EU food contact legislation: Framework Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 and Plastics Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011Declarations of Compliance: their role and importance throughout the supply chainMigration testing: understanding the difference between overall and specific migrationNIAS: the underestimated risks of non-intentionally added substancesBisphenol A (BPA): recent restrictions and regulatory developmentsPFAS: new regulatory requirements and the impact of the PPWRPractical challenges: imported materials, missing compliance data, and recycled plasticsWho should listen?This episode is relevant for everyone working with flexible packaging, food contact materials, and regulatory compliance—from purchasing and product development to quality assurance and regulatory affairs.

How do you successfully hand over a company after 25 years without losing its DNA?In this special episode of FlexPack.News, the roles are reversed. Instead of interviewing an external guest, Julian sits down with Karsten Schröder, founder and Co-Managing Director of Innoform, for an open conversation about the company's future, the packaging industry's biggest challenges, and why technical expertise will always remain at the heart of everything Innoform does. Together they discuss:Why Innoform has rebranded its conferences into the Inno event family (InnoPouch, InnoMeeting, InnoFiber, InnoPrintPack)How the planned succession at Innoform is taking shape—and why trust and shared values matter more than job titlesThe idea behind Innoform's summer ice cream campaign and why a simple ice cream can become a symbol for the entire flexible packaging value chainWhy paper-based packaging deserves its own conference and what the industry still needs to learn about fiber-based materialsHow Innoform conferences are evolving through partnerships with host companies such as Felix Schoeller and HPWhy the industry needs more practical knowledge exchange—and less marketingHow AI is changing technical communication, newsletters, podcasts, and knowledge transferWhy human-created audio features and on-site reporting remain an essential part of technical storytellingWhat's coming next for Innoform events, podcasts, and educational formatsThis episode also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the philosophy that has shaped Innoform for more than two decades: creating a place where engineers, converters, brand owners, suppliers, and researchers can openly discuss technical challenges—and learn from one another. Whether you're a long-time member of the Innoform community or discovering FlexPack.News for the first time, this episode provides valuable insight into where the industry—and Innoform itself—is heading next.Topics: Flexible Packaging • PPWR • Paperization • Packaging Innovation • Technical Conferences • AI in Technical Communication • InnoPouch • InnoFiber • InnoMeeting • FlexPack.News

In this episode, Julian Thielen and Thomas Schmitt discuss some of the most relevant developments currently shaping the packaging industry.Topics covered:✅ Interpack 2026 review – visitor trends, exhibitor feedback, and the evolving role of trade fairs✅ The German Packaging Implementation Act and PPWR – what the latest developments from Brussels mean for the industry✅ Regulatory certainty vs. regulatory complexity – why companies need to move from discussion to action✅ Raw material shortages and their impact on packaging design, including the recent Calbee case✅ Why data quality may become one of the biggest challenges in achieving PPWR compliance✅ Sustainability fatigue in the packaging sector – are companies lacking knowledge or execution?✅ The remaining challenges of recyclable packaging, particularly for aluminum-based laminates used in coffee, pharmaceutical, and high-barrier applicationsA practical discussion about regulation, sustainability, packaging innovation, and the future of the flexible packaging industry.#Flexpack #Packaging #FlexiblePackaging #PPWR #Sustainability #Recycling #CircularEconomy #Interpack #PackagingIndustry

In this episode of the Innoform Podcast, recorded live at Interpack in Düsseldorf, I sat down with Ton Knipscheer from the European Co-Packers Association (ECPA) and Jurgen Pleitier from Vetipack to talk about the often overlooked world of co-packers. We discuss:What co-packers actually do — and why they have become essential for many brandsWhy brand owners are increasingly focusing on marketing and sales while outsourcing production and packagingHow co-packers support packaging development, sourcing, and even product manufacturingWhy flexibility and fast machine changeovers are critical in today’s marketThe growing role of mono-material and paper-based packaging solutionsHow co-packers help brands navigate PPWR, EPR, and future packaging requirementsKey trends and insights from this year’s Interpack exhibitionOne of the most interesting takeaways: many co-packers today are far more than service providers — they are innovation partners helping brands bring products to market faster and more efficiently. A great episode for everyone interested in packaging, sustainability, supply chains, and the future of manufacturing partnerships.

The flexpack industry is facing major transformation:New regulations, increasing demands for recyclability, and economic pressure are colliding with new opportunities in innovation and marketing.In this episode of FlexPack.news, Max Haschke breaks down the latest developments and explains what they really mean for companies across the packaging value chain.🔍 Topics coveredFood-grade rPP:Recycled polypropylene reaches food-contact compliance – what this means for mono-material solutions and material availabilityPPWR & regulation:Why new requirements are now becoming real in day-to-day business and forcing companies to actDesign for Recycling (CEN standard):How standardization is reshaping packaging designMarket pressure & consolidation:Plant closures and rising costs as indicators of structural changePackaging as a marketing tool:Why packaging is becoming part of social media strategies🎯 Key takeawaysPackaging is shifting from a cost factor to a strategic leverRegulation is becoming more concrete and action-drivenNot every sustainability trend is industrially scalableSupply chain thinking is becoming critical for flexpack companies🎧 Who should listen?Decision-makers, developers, and sales professionals in the packaging industry—especially those working with flexible packaging.

In this episode I talk to Heiko Schenck who is an expert for LPDE in film applications. He has decades of experience with Dow and DuPont and so has a more calm view on current crises and can relate to other crises from the past.This episode is dubbed with AI. Far away from perfect but it is understandable and we can articulate everything in our mother tongue. Nevertheless I am looking forward to have a podcast in English with you. So if you are interested feel free to contact me: [email protected]

Current topics for flexpackers, put into perspective — today with Marcus Holland from PreZero.Topics:Iran crisis leads to jumping raw material pricesBel launches global switch to paper packagingSappi adjusts prices on specialty papers againApollo invests in SyntegonSiegwerk acquires Indian ink manufacturer Hi-Tech InksEvents: INNO-Fiber, PRSE and InterpackThis Podcast is dubbed with AI from the original German episode. If you want to be guest in our podcast feel free to contact [email protected].

This Episode is dubbed with the help of AI.Kick-off of a new podcast format.FlexPack.news delivers a monthly roundup of the latest news for flexpackers—clearly categorized and easy to follow, featuring rotating guests from the industry.Episode 1 recorded “live” from the INNO-Meeting 2026 in Osnabrück.Featuring:Jan Grevè from PPG and Daniel Zimmermann from Felix Schoeller.The news:https://packaging-journal.de/en/packaging-this-will-change-with-the-new-packaging-law/The new Packaging Act (VerpackDG) implements the PPWR at the national level.https://www.euwid-recycling.de/news/politik/neue-eu-vorgaben-sollen-recyclingquoten-unter-mitgliedstaaten-vergleichbarer-machen-180226/New EU requirements aim to make recycling rates more comparable across member states.https://www.packaginginsights.com/news/henkel-acquires-stahl-specialty-coatings.htmlHenkel acquires Stahl for €2 billion.

Flexographic Printing, Solvent Zero & Automation in Plate ProcessingIn this episode of the Innoform Podcast, Julian Thielen speaks with Dieter Niederstadt from Asahi Photoproducts about current innovations in flexographic printing, water-wash plates, and automation in flexo plate production.The conversation focuses on the shift toward Solvent Zero: replacing solvent-based plate processing with water-wash technology and closed-loop recycling systems. With up to 90% water reuse and no VOC emissions, flexo plate processing is becoming significantly more sustainable while maintaining industrial performance.Another key topic is full automation in flexographic workflows. Together with partners such as Esko and Allstein, integrated systems now connect imaging (CDI), LED exposure (XPS), washout, drying and cutting in one automated process. The result: standardized quality, reduced operator dependency, and shorter processing times.The episode also discusses:Water-based inks in flexible packagingFlexo vs. rotogravure printingPrinting on PCR and MDO substratesThe impact of European PPWR regulationsThis episode is relevant for converters, packaging manufacturers, print professionals and brand owners looking to improve sustainability, productivity and print quality in flexible packaging.Further InformationRegistration – Flexo Symposium (Esko – Asahi – Allstein – Follmann)https://go.esko.com/FlexoSymposium2026Video – Flexo Automation in Actionhttps://youtu.be/FYoUZKDGqvQ