Food & Ingredients International April 2024

INTERVIEW
• Encourage the purchase and use of wood
packaging and wood-packaged products,
demonstrating the competitive advantages of
wood as premium packaging.
• To study and disclose the benefits of wood as
a material for packaging; natural, renewable,
sustainable, antibacterial, CO2 sink,
hygroscopic and refrigeration accelerator.
• Promote the principles of sustainable
bioeconomy, circular economy and the
promotion of the cascade use of wood.
How has FEDEMCO contributed to
the development and promotion
of wooden packaging in Europe since
its establishment in 1991?
Our Federation has been defending the
interests of the wood packaging industries
in Spain and Europe for more than 30 years.
We are founding members of GROW (Group
Recycling of Wood), from where we represent
the industry to the European organizations.
GROW represents more than 200 companies
that manufacture 800 million boxes for fruit
and vegetables, and 400 million boxes of other
types. GROW represents and defends the
interests of wooden packaging in relation to
the environment quality, image, hygiene, food
safety, etc. In 2010, FEDEMCO developed its
own GROW QUALITY certification for fruit and
vegetable wooden packaging. Companies
that obtain this certification guarantee the
highest quality and safety standards.
What are some key challenges that
the wooden packaging industry faces today
and how is FEDEMCO addressing them?
The main challenge is to communicate to
society and consumers that wooden packaging
is the most sustainable option. To achieve this,
we have promoted technical studies that allow
us to communicate the advantages of wooden
packaging. We will soon be facing a new
legislative reform for food contact materials
and FEDEMCO is ready for this challenge. It
is also a priority to form an alliance with the
European Panel Federation (EPF) to ensure
the effective recyclability of wood packaging
and its recycling at scale, involving the entire
value chain to make the use of wood cascade
and the transition to a circular economy a
reality. With these two actions, we will have
achieved our goal of being the best solution
for European food distribution.
APRIL 2024 FOOD & INGREDIENTS INTERNATIONAL
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