Your suitable packaging with recycled content:

News

28. January 2025

RIGK sets clear priorities for 2025: adopting a holistic approach for an effective circular economy with plastics

At the beginning of 2025, RIGK presents its ambitious goals and key priorities. The focus remains on an integral approach to the plastics circular economy – from Design for Recycling to the licensing and collection of packaging, and on to the distribution of recyclates. This includes further expanding existing take-back systems, introducing new initiatives, strengthening international presence, and supporting businesses in implementing current legislation. The goal remains unchanged: in 2025, RIGK aims to achieve sustainable progress for a functioning circular economy.

Further development and expansion of established take-back systems

The continuous development of proven take-back systems remains a central component of RIGK's strategy. Significant milestones were achieved in the agricultural sector last year through the initiative ERDE and VerenA, which are now being translated into concrete measures. For example, the voluntary commitment under the ERDE initiative has been further expanded, with the aim of collecting and recycling over 60% of asparagus films by 2026 and as much as 75% of silage and stretch films in Germany by 2027.

Another key achievement has been the successful establishment and expansion of the VerenA take-back system, introduced in 2023. Since 2025, it now includes not only used agricultural big bags but also film and paper sacks for fertilizers, seeds, and animal feed. These developments represent important steps towards a more sustainable and resource-efficient agriculture.

©RIGK

Global collaboration for a strong circular economy

RIGK continues to advocate for an efficient circular economy on a global scale. The certified company advises emerging take-back systems worldwide and, as an active member of EPRO, contributes to the international promotion of plastics circularity. In 2025, RIGK will further intensify its involvement in the European platform "myRecycledContent" to advance the use of recyclates in packaging.

The PlastCert division is increasingly handling global certification tasks – from assessing Recyclability and Recycled Content to evaluating recycling processes and conducting laboratory analyses of recyclates. Together with its subsidiaries, plastship GmbH and Hannawald Plastik GmbH, RIGK focuses on improving the quality of recyclates, creating transparency in supply chains, and promoting the use of recycled materials.

In addition, forward-looking projects such as the KISS project ("AI-based Qualification, Management, and Optimization of Material Flows to Close Regional Resource Loops") and KARE (Regional Competence Center for the Circular Economy of Plastics) are being consistently advanced in collaboration with other partners.

PPWR: New regulatory framework as an opportunity

The introduction of the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in January 2025 brings significant changes to the industrial and packaging sectors. Stricter requirements for recycling quotas, reusable packaging, and packaging reduction pose challenges but also open up new opportunities. RIGK proactively addresses these changes and now offers customers comprehensive advisory services to help them adapt and thrive under the new regulations.

©RIGK

Trade fairs as a platform for innovation and exchange

In 2025, RIGK continues to engage with industry leaders under the motto “Let’s navigate our way towards a circular economy together!” at major trade fairs. Whether at PRSE in April, FACHPACK in September or Agritechnica in November, RIGK will once again showcase its latest take-back and recycling solutions.

These events serve as a platform to inform customers, partners, and industry stakeholders about current trends while fostering direct exchange to collaboratively develop innovative solutions for the circular economy.

2025: Shaping the transition to a sustainable circular economy together

"Our vision of a functioning circular economy drives us every day," says Jan Bauer, Managing Director of RIGK. "The past years have shown that an integral approach across the entire material cycle is key to sustainable success. In 2025, we are committed to continuing this path, developing new solutions, and actively shaping the transition to a circular economy together with our customers and partners."

With a strong focus on innovative solutions, international collaboration, and the implementation of new regulatory requirements under PPWR, RIGK remains determined to drive the transformation toward a resource-efficient future.

 

Further information:
Jan Bauer
Managing Director, RIGK GmbH
+49 611 308600-16
bauer(at)rigk.de