Cartonboard industry secures green lanes during pandemic

Following calls from the packaging industry, the European Commission has confirmed that the transportation of packaging materials, including paper-based cartons and cartonboard, for essential industries such as food and pharmaceuticals, will be able to use its ‘green lanes’ and has updated its ‘Guidelines for Border Management’ to reflect the recommendation.

Pro Carton has released a statement which details that, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, short term demand for cartonboard has increased by around 30%, with particular spikes in demand for production of packaging for dry foods, confectionery, frozen food and pharmaceuticals.

The European Commission is urging EU countries to allow vehicles to transport goods between countries via fast-track ‘green’ lanes, which should take no longer than 15 minutes to pass through, including checks and health screenings of drivers.

The ‘Guidelines for Border Management’ also state that ‘Member States should act immediately to temporarily suspend all types of road access restrictions in place in their territory’ and ‘transport workers, irrespective of their nationality and place of residence, should be allowed to cross internal borders’.

Document for hauliers to display when transporting printed cartons and cartonboard.

To support the European Commission’s move, ECMA, the European Carton Makers Association and Pro Carton, the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers, have issued a document in 11 languages for hauliers to display when transporting printed cartons and cartonboard.

Paper mills and carton converters across Europe are working hard to cope with the new demand. Cartonboard production is essential for many supply chains, which starts with sustainably managed forests, all the way to the supermarket shelves. A break in the chain could have serious consequences for the safe delivery of goods.

Tony Hitchin, general manager of Pro Carton, said: “The carton and cartonboard industry is coping well with this unprecedented situation and intends to remain fully operational in order to provide sufficient packaging and ensure safe supplies of food and pharmaceuticals that are vital to European society at this moment.  Cartonboard is the most sustainable of packaging materials and will continue to be so.

“The current situation surrounding Covid-19 is deeply distressing, and it is important that we recognise the importance of the cartonboard packaging industry during these difficult times. It is pleasing to see that the European Commission has acted swiftly as it will enable manufacturers to get their products on shelves quickly.”