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The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) presents the beverage industry with significant challenges—but also enormous opportunities for companies that act early. Through close collaboration with our partner SCHÄFER Container Systems, a leading provider of reusable stainless-steel packaging solutions, we have gained valuable insights into upcoming industry developments. These insights enable us to support companies in meeting PPWR requirements while simultaneously optimizing their logistics processes and improving their CO₂ footprint.
Through our development partnership with SCHÄFER Container Systems, we are able to offer solutions that simplify the transition toward greater sustainability and efficiency. In this blog post, we share key insights and best practices that are not only relevant to the beverage industry, but also particularly applicable to the chemical, food, pharmaceutical, and process industries—helping companies comply with new regulatory requirements and future-proof their systems.
A Fundamental Shift in Europe’s Packaging Landscape
Europe’s packaging landscape is facing one of its most significant transformations in decades. From August 2026 onwards, the new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) will become mandatory, requiring companies in the beverage industry to fundamentally rethink their systems. The regulation aims to reduce waste and strengthen the circular economy. Reusable packaging—especially reusable stainless-steel IBCs—will play a central role in achieving these goals.
However, switching to reusable packaging alone is not enough. Traceability and the optimization of container rotation are becoming key requirements. Companies must demonstrate how frequently and reliably their packaging remains in circulation in order to comply with PPWR requirements. This is where tracking technology comes into play—ensuring regulatory compliance while unlocking significant cost-saving potential and competitive advantages.
What Are IBCs?
IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers) are robust, reusable containers—primarily made of stainless steel—used across industrial, chemical, food, and pharmaceutical sectors for the transport and storage of liquids and bulk goods. Stainless-steel IBCs stand out due to their high safety standards, durability, full recyclability, and hygienic properties. They are ideally suited to meet PPWR requirements and help strengthen the circular economy.
The Packaging Transition: Why Stainless-Steel IBCs Are Becoming Essential
The PPWR not only mandates binding reusable quotas but also introduces strict reporting obligations across the entire supply chain.
Stainless-steel IBCs offer a sustainable, legally compliant, and future-proof solution. They significantly reduce waste, minimize safety risks, and impress with their durability and recyclability.
Tracking: An Essential Tool for Compliance and Optimization
Without reliable data on the location and rotation speed of reusable containers, it is nearly impossible to meet PPWR requirements. Traceability must comprehensively document how containers move throughout the entire supply chain. Technologies such as clear labeling, barcodes, transponders, or specialized tracking software solutions like PackwiseFlow are used to precisely monitor container transport and usage.
Stronger Together: SCHÄFER Smart LOG & Packwise Smart Cap
With the Packwise Smart Cap and the SCHÄFER Smart LOG, a new era of digital container management begins. Our intelligent IoT solutions deliver precise real-time data for container monitoring and increase efficiency, safety, and sustainability across the entire supply chain—from production and transport to reuse.
However, data alone does not create value. What truly matters is the intelligent processing and seamless integration of this information into existing systems. Packwise (PackwiseFlow) provides a software solution with seamless ERP integration, transforming sensor data into actionable insights—for greater transparency, better decision-making, and sustainable optimization of the entire supply chain.
Why Digital Container Monitoring?
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Reduced logistics costs and optimized transport routes
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Real-time monitoring of fill level, temperature, pressure, and location
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Automated quality assurance and alerts in case of deviations
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Seamless ERP integration and intelligent data analysis
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Greater sustainability through more efficient resource use and reduced container losses
Your Benefits at a Glance
01 Efficiency – Full transparency of all relevant operational data across the logistics supply chain
02 Safety – Automated alert functions for irregularities during storage and transport
03 Cost-effectiveness – Process optimization through intelligent fleet management
04 Sustainability – Extended service life and reduced container losses through geolocation
05 Compliance-ready – Legally compliant data logging for verification and reporting requirements
SCHÄFER Smart LOG and Packwise Smart Cap at a Glance
Through our partnership with SCHÄFER Container Systems, we combine robust stainless-steel expertise with digital innovation. One key insight: different industries require different focal points. While one sensor looks deep into the “inner life” of the container, the other manages global movements.
SCHÄFER Smart LOG – Focus on Product Quality
The SCHÄFER Smart LOG is the ideal choice when the focus is on product quality and stationary monitoring. It was specifically developed to ensure maximum safety in food production.
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Insight into the container interior: Measures temperature as well as pressure and light exposure—critical for preventing microbial growth or quality loss in sensitive media
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Stationary precision: Features such as precise fill-level monitoring for production planning and automated alarms allow rapid response to deviations directly in storage or production
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Smart heating control: For temperature-sensitive media in the food and chemical industries, this solution offers innovative real-time control and monitoring of heating temperatures
Packwise Smart Cap – Focus on Logistics & Hazardous Goods
Complementing this, the Packwise Smart Cap focuses on the container’s “journey” and logistics within the chemical industry. Where the Smart LOG protects quality, the Smart Cap ensures supply chain transparency and hazardous goods safety.
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Safety in explosive environments: Unlike pure quality sensors, the Packwise Smart Cap is ATEX-certified—making it the first choice for monitoring in explosion-prone areas of chemical and hazardous goods logistics
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Transparency through tracking: The focus is on geolocation and real-time tracking—answering the question: Where is the fleet worldwide, and when will it return?
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Predictive optimization: Using machine-learning-based data analysis, PackwiseFlow enables forward-looking planning and process optimization—reducing idle times and efficiently closing circular loops in line with PPWR requirements
Through the partnership with SCHÄFER Container Systems, Packwise combines its sensor and data platform PackwiseFlow with SCHÄFER’s robust stainless-steel expertise. Together, we enable companies to digitize their container fleets and reliably meet regulatory requirements—an important step toward the packaging transition in industry.
Packwise: Tracking as a Strategic Competitive Advantage
Packwise offers an innovative solution for the traceability of reusable containers. Intelligent tracking systems not only ensure compliance with PPWR requirements but also unlock substantial cost savings. Our solution offers the following benefits:
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Optimized rotation and cost savings: Precise tracking significantly improves reusable container rotation, reducing working capital and lowering costs by minimizing the need to purchase and store excess containers
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Seamless integration: Our solution integrates smoothly into existing operational processes, allowing data to be used directly for logistics and reporting
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Compliance assurance: With Packwise, companies ensure that all KPIs (such as return rates) are captured, enabling full compliance with regulatory reporting obligations
The 12-Month Transition Roadmap
To implement PPWR requirements on time, companies need a structured plan. The twelve-month roadmap from the white paper “Pressure in Packaging” (click to download) by our partner SCHÄFER provides valuable guidance using the beverage industry as an example:
| Phase | Focus & Tasks | Role of Tracking |
|---|---|---|
| Months 1–3: Assessment & Audit |
Analysis of containers in use and existing data | Identification of current return rates |
| Months 7–9: Implementation & Integration | Process changes, communication with logistics and trade partners | Integration of tracking solutions |
| Months 10–12: Verification & Reporting | Documentation setup and KPI definition | Preparation of regulatory reports based on tracking data |
Conclusion: Packaging Becomes a Strategic Management Issue
The new EU Packaging Regulation presents companies with challenges—but also with numerous opportunities. The right combination of reusable packaging systems and intelligent tracking technology not only ensures regulatory compliance but also optimizes logistics processes and reduces costs.
Together with our partner SCHÄFER Container Systems, we are actively shaping this transformation. By combining stainless-steel containers with intelligent IoT technology, Packwise makes a valuable contribution to the packaging transition—driving greater sustainability, efficiency, and transparency across industry.
Sources:
- Die neue EU Verpackungsverordnung
- Bereit für 2026 EU Verpackungsordnung
- Beitrag über Schäfer SmartLoc und Packwise SmartCap