Food & Ingredients International April 2024

INTERVIEW
minimize the consumption of virgin wood,
with finishes that facilitate their use in
the manufacture, standardization, and
palletization of final products.
These technical woods include plywood, HDF
(high density fiberboard) and MDF (medium
density fiberboard). Any of these materials
can be used for the manufacture of wooden
packaging, but the use of the last ones,
the technical boards, has been the most
common in recent years, responding to a more
sustainable manufacturing design process.
Looking ahead, what are FEDEMCO’s
goals and priorities for the future and
how do you envision the organization evolving
in the coming years?
During the coming years, FEDEMCO will lead
the presidency of GROW, the European
Federation of Lightweight Wooden
Packaging, promoting wood packaging and
internationalizing the GROW ® and ECOWOOX ®
certifications. We will work intensively lobbying
and advocating with European institutions to
make the sector visible as the most sustainable
option that contributes to the efficient use of
natural and renewable resources.
How was Fruit Logistica? Which exhibitions
do you attend in 2024?
Fruit Logistica (Berlin), along with Fruit
Attraction (Madrid), are the reference fairs
for the fruit and vegetable wood packaging
sector. FEDEMCO makes a great effort to be
present at these events and therefore we are
required to give the maximum to our member
companies and their customers. The balance
is very positive, both from the commercial
and the institutional perspectives. At Fruit
Logistica 2024 we were accompanied by
our partners at GROW: SIAL (France), GROW
(Germany) and FEDERLEGNOARREDO (Italy)
and we hope to be able to meet at Fruit
Attraction (Madrid) in October.
Anything you would like to stress on?
The European Parliament has identified the
packaging industry as one of the sectors that
can best contribute to the decarbonization
of the planet. As a tree grows, it absorbs
enormous amounts of carbon dioxide, storing
it in wood (0.9 tons/m3 of wood). In fact, 50% of
the weight of wood is carbon extracted from
the atmosphere, making wood a dynamic
carbon sink and a key element in the fight to
reduce the effects of climate change.
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