The European Aerosol Ava Caridad, Editorial Director
There are 44 countries currently comprising Europe (according to the United Nations); with that comes a multitude of regulatory, labeling, customs,
transport and export considerations. In addition, there are numerous sustainability initiatives, differing economies and language barriers—
a multifaceted state of affairs, to say the least. In order to provide a glimpse into the aerosol market in Europe, SPRAY spoke to experts concerning
multiple aspects of production and sustainability in this important part of the world. For European aerosol filling statistics, turn to p. 19.
Waste & Resources in a
European Circular Economy
Alain D’haese, European Aerosol Federation (FEA) Secretary General
Increasing resource efficiency, preventing
waste generation and using waste
as a resource are at the core of the
Circular Economy and have considerable
potential to reduce environmental pressures
both within the European Union
and outside EU’s borders.
Resource use in the EU economy
declined over the last decade, while
resource productivity improved. This
was largely due to trends in overall economic growth and
certain structural changes in the economy.
At the other end of the materials chain, the EU continues
to generate a large amount of waste, but is increasingly
moving towards more recycling. However, progress is slow
and differences among countries are still high. New wasterelated
targets and requirements adopted in 2018 are
expected to result in a 26% increase in recycling by 2035,
although the prospects for reducing waste generation are
less certain. Beyond this big picture, the aerosol industry is
well-positioned with its use of permanent materials—aluminum
and steel—for the vast majority of aerosol containers
and valves. However, in the case of an inefficient collection
system for household packaging waste, the recycling rate
can only be low.
Overall, the large amounts of resources used, waste
generated and the rather low contribution of recycled
materials to the material demands of the economy indicate
that the EU is still far away from the goal of becoming a
Circular Economy.
Recently, EU policies have started to improve the framework
conditions for a Circular Economy, albeit with the
14 Spray January 2020
main focus on waste. In order to fully realize the potential
benefits, it will be crucial to design materials and products
in a way that enables recycling, and that prevents contamination
of material cycles. The new European Commission
will take further actions to foster the Circular Economy. Discussions
on new “essential requirements” for packaging, as
well as on eco-modulation of extended producer responsibility
(EPR) fees, are progressing. Products designed for
recycling and true recyclability will be key elements for the
aerosol industry.
There is still a long way to go to turn EU into a truly
Circular Economy where the value of products, materials
and resources is maintained in the economy for as long as
possible. Making the Circular Economy a reality will require
long-term involvement at all levels, from Member States,
regions and cities, to businesses and citizens.
From now until March 1, Museum De Waag in Deventer, The Netherlands
is hosting a new exhibition—derived from its existing collection of
6,500 specialty cans—called Cans &Tins, from Preserves to Art. The
exhibited cans range from the end of the 19th century to modern aerosol
and beverage cans. As a sponsor of the exhibition Trivium Packaging
(previously known as Thomassen & Drijver, Continental Can Europe,
Impress, Ardagh and, since November, Trivium Packaging), opened the
exhibition in October. Deventer has been the hometown of the company
for 100 years. More info: museumdewaag.nl.