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inDUfed strengthens its glass activities with a renewed structure and a clear focus on recycling
inDUfed is reorganising its glass-related activities. The reform is designed to better channel expertise, strengthen collaboration, and accelerate the development of systems and infrastructures for glass recycling, including flat glass and insulation glass. |
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To this end, three dedicated committees are being launched: - Flat Glass Committee: Bringing together flat glass producers and processors, this committee will focus on promotion and standardisation. - Insulation Committee: Uniting flat glass, glass wool and cellular glass stakeholders, this group will address renovation challenges, subsidy frameworks and cooperation with the wider construction sector. - Recycling Committee: Open to all members, this committee will concentrate on recycling initiatives, challenges and innovations, with a strong emphasis on building effective collection, sorting and recycling infrastructures for glass. This reorganisation is also a call to action. We warmly encourage members—or their colleagues—to join one or more committees and help shape the future of the glass industry. Interested in getting involved? Contact Thomas Pollet.
20 Years of VLEVA: A Strong Flemish Voice in Europe2026 marks VLEVA’s 20th anniversary, marking two decades of building strong and lasting bridges between Flanders and the European Union. The milestone was recently celebrated during VLEVA’s New Year’s reception, bringing together the Flemish‑European network in Brussels. Since joining VLEVA last year, inDUfed considers the organisation a key partner in defending the interests of the Belgian paper, board and glass industries at European level. In today’s challenging geopolitical and economic context, a strong, coordinated European voice is more important than ever. During the celebration, Flemish Minister‑President Matthias Diependaele underlined the importance of both a strong Flemish presence in the EU and a decisive Europe that creates opportunities for regions, industries and citizens. VLEVA’s founders helped reflect on the past and future role of Flanders in Europe, highlighting the organisation’s continued commitment, expertise and connecting power. inDUfed warmly congratulates VLEVA and its team, led by Director‑General Jan Buysse, on 20 years of dedicated service. We look forward to continuing our cooperation in the years ahead and to reinforcing Europe’s industrial strengths together.
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Collective Bargaining
At the end of 2025, both the paper and board sectors concluded their 2025-2026 collective bargaining agreements. The closing of these sectoral consultations also marked the start of company consultations.
For paper production, company consultations did not generally start before January. For paper and cardboard processing, where a supplementary agreement was reached, the company negotiation period was set for the end of January.
Sectoral consultations in the glass sector began in the first week of February with a list of more than 50 demands.
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Social Fund Glass Sector
At the beginning of February, an agreement was reached with the social partners to restructure the glass social security fund (fonds voor bestaanszekerheid/ fonds de sécurité d'existence). The agreement offers prospects for a healthy fund with clear governance for the future.
Major Changes in Social Legislation
At the end of December 2025, the government took a step towards implementing the government agreement with its 'miscellaneous provisions' bill (‘diverse bepalingen’ wet/ loi ‘dispositions diverses’). The radical changes to the sickness leave legislation, the absence policy and the reintegration of long-term sick on the one hand, and a number of basic provisions for the new rules on statutory pensions on the other, will present companies with new organisational and financial challenges.
PaperPackSkills: Dual Learning Week
During ‘Dual Learning Week’, Philippe Muyters, standing in for Minister Zuhal Demir, paid a working visit to Coldset Printing Partners in Beringen. This visit highlighted once again how powerful the collaboration between education, industry and business can be. In the Coldset Printing Partners' high-tech production environment, students who are enrolled in the dual learning programme Digital Printing Operator in print media/paper and cardboard processing are given the opportunity to develop their skills in an innovative and real-life context.
Together with their mentors, they grow not only technically, but also strengthen their sense of responsibility, quality awareness and team skills. The success of these programmes is evident, namely because of the influx into the labour market.
This structural collaboration between companies, schools and sector funds is facilitated by the Sectoral Partnership for the Graphic, Paper and Cardboard Processing Sector. This ensures that education and the labour market are closely aligned and that talent is given every opportunity to grow. Dual learning creates a clear added value: · Practical experience in a professional production environment · Targeted influx of technical talent · Close alignment between education and industry · Strengthening of sustainable employment
Requesting training courses Since 1 January 2026, PaperPackSkills’ CRM system ‘Coachview’ has been fully operational. We kindly ask that all training requests for which PaperPackSkills provides financial support be submitted through this system. Coachview will enable us to generate data about the types of training courses that are frequently booked, the age of participants, and the like. What's new? • You can check your budgets through your own account. • You can track the status of the training courses you have requested. • You will receive a complete overview of all the training courses you have requested. What do you need to do to access your account? • To access your account, you must first contact PaperPackSkills (contact@paperpackskills.be). • You will receive an email with the necessary login details. • Follow the steps explained in the email. • From now on, you can submit requests for our assistance and follow up on everything.
Do you have any questions? nathalie.govaerts@indufed.be
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PPWR comes into force on 12 August 2026
In this first newsletter of the year, a quick but important reminder: on 12 August 2026, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) — Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 on packaging and packaging waste — will enter into application.
This marks the start of the first binding obligations for all packaging placed on the EU market. We will continue to keep you updated as the implementation unfolds throughout 2026. |
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PFAS in food packaging: good news and bad newsFrom 12 August 2026, the new European PPWR (EU2025/40) will prohibit food packaging containing PFAS above strict limits. This is a major step for consumer protection, and inDUfed fully supports this objective. But the transition is complex: PFAS lists are still incomplete, validated testing methods are lacking, and analysis costs remain high. Without clear guidance, companies risk facing uncertainty and market disruption. To ensure a credible and workable implementation, inDUfed calls for a coherent, science‑based approach. PFAS controls should be handled by FPS Public Health – DG APF and the FASFC, the competent authorities for food‑contact materials. We also urge Belgium to confirm the RISE protocol and its list of 24 targeted PFAS, which offer a practical and scientifically grounded method. Research by RISE and the European Commission shows that total fluorine analysis is sufficient to assess PFAS levels and that most paper and board packaging already meets the PPWR limits. Manufacturers should be able to demonstrate compliance through Good Manufacturing Practices and supplier declarations, ensuring a transparent and efficient chain of responsibility without unnecessary burdens. To safeguard both consumer safety and market stability, inDUfed calls on the Belgian government to confirm the RISE protocol, align control activities accordingly, and support companies in applying GMP and supplier declarations as valid proof of compliance. More information and updates can be found on our website: PFAS in Food Packaging: inDUfed Calls for Clear Guidance and Practical Solutions - inDUfed.
Reuse targets in PPWR At inDUfed, we support the PPWR’s ambition to promote reuse where it is technically and economically feasible. But today’s reuse targets for transport packaging — 40% for cross‑border and 100% for domestic deliveries — also apply to wrapping films and strapping bands, even though no viable reusable alternatives exist. We therefore call for the existing exemption for the 100% target to be extended to the 40% target. The reasons are clear: shipping volumes are extremely high, return logistics and infrastructure are lacking, reusable covers increase costs and ergonomic risks, and strict hygiene rules further limit reuse. Export‑oriented countries like Belgium would face disproportionate impacts if the exemption is not extended. inDUfed advocates for balanced, evidence‑based regulation that supports sustainability without undermining competitiveness. More information and our position are available here inDUfed calls for a pragmatic approach to reuse targets in the PPWR - inDUfed. European paper industry prepares for BREF review The European Commission confirmed in its work plan that the revision of the BREF for pulp, paper and cardboard producers will start in 2027. CEPI began internal preparations at the start of 2026. Working groups will examine the data to be collected on emissions, raw material consumption and other related background information. A call for industry experts to join the relevant working group was also launched.
Review
Soil decree Flanders: presentation OVAM |
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InDUfed Carbon Convention
The inDUfed carbon convention reached a key milestone on 15 January 2026 with the presentation of the first individual targets and those of the carbon community to the strategic committee. At this stage, 9 out of 15 global audits have been validated by regional experts. These audits already cover 58% of total energy consumption and 30% of global CO₂ emissions for the year 2023. |
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Commitments are gradually taking shape: six members have made firm commitments to energy efficiency, while three have opted for actions targeting carbon intensity. The validated action plans represent a significant investment, with €36.8 million dedicated to firm measures and €96.3 million to conditional measures.
The year 2026 will mark a decisive phase of implementation. It will be devoted to the final validation of all the carbon community audits, as well as the first monitoring of the results already achieved, enabling the impact of the actions undertaken to be measured in concrete terms.
Indirect CO2 cost compensationAt the end of December, the European Commission published new state aid guidelines on compensation for indirect carbon costs under the ETS system. These guidelines represent a positive step forward for the glass industry, which is now eligible for this compensation, in the same way as the paper industry, which has been benefiting from it for several years.
However, the actual level of compensation will depend on the allocated regional budgets, which represents a significant challenge for Belgium.
One of the key parameters is the downward revision of the national CO2 emission factor. This had previously been established based on a joint market study with France. A new study specific to Belgium will be conducted to define a factor that more accurately reflects the country's actual situation.
The challenges are particularly acute in Wallonia, where the system is based on a closed budget of €20 million. This constraint currently allows for only a limited rate of intervention, whereas the European framework allows for compensation of 75% to 80%.
At the beginning of the year, inDUfed contacted
the relevant political and administrative authorities to ensure
implementation in line with the European framework. The key issue is to
ensure effective support for industry, which is essential for
decarbonisation, particularly through the electrification of processes. The energy policy agreement in Flanders is running until end 2026. The report of an evaluation commissioned by VEKA and WEWIS is now available: Evaluatie 2025 van de Energiebeleidsovereenkomsten (EBO) and a management summary: Evaluatie 2025 van de Energiebeleidsovereenkomsten (EBO) - managementsamenvatting.
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Van Genechten Packaging Group named EY Company of the YearAt the beginning of the year, Van Genechten Packaging Group was awarded the prestigious title of EY Company of the Year 2025. The award was presented during a ceremony in Brussels, attended by Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele. |
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What began almost two centuries ago as a family business in the Kempen region has grown into the fourth largest packaging manufacturer in Europe. According to EY, Van Genechten Packaging is a textbook example of agile entrepreneurship, continuing to focus on growth, innovation and value creation in a sector undergoing rapid transformation. EY Belgium CEO Steven Claes praised the company for its enduring craftsmanship and forward-looking approach. Above all, the award is a recognition of the commitment, passion and daily craftsmanship of the employees within the group, who remain committed to customer focus and quality. inDUfed warmly congratulates Van Genechten Packaging Group on this well-deserved recognition and wishes the team continued success in building an innovative and sustainable future for the packaging industry. Passing of Freddy SemoulinIt is with great sadness that we have heard that Freddy Semoulin, former vice-chairman and member of the Board of Fetra as well as former member of the joint committees for paper and cardboard converting industries, passed away on 12 February 2026 at the age of 90. Until well beyond his seventies, Freddy was the voice of SMEs within our sector. With his extensive knowledge, his commitment to and deep and sincere love for the industry, he played an important role in the conclusion of numerous sectoral agreements. His charisma and sense of humour often defused tense situations and steered discussions back in a constructive direction. The whole team at inDUfed will remember Fréddy with great gratitude and appreciation for who he was and what he meant to our sector. Papier.be has a fresh look Papier.be is delighted to unveil its revamped website, revised with clarity, fluidity and usability at its core. The streamlined look and feel reflects who we are today, while a rethought user journey makes content easier to navigate, understand and enjoy. Explore a clearer, more intuitive papier.be — where information flows seamlessly and the value of paper and cardboard takes centre stage.
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