Fedemco launches Ecowoox certification to promote sustainable wooden packaging

EUROPE – Spanish wooden packaging federation, Fedemco, is taking a significant step in promoting sustainable practices with the international rollout of Ecowoox, a new European certification mark for wooden packaging.

Artur Vélez, vice-president of Fedemco, introduced the certification in Brussels, marking a key milestone in its expansion.

The Ecowoox certification focuses on the eco-design and recyclability of wooden packaging. According to Fedemco, the certification ensures that wooden packaging is 100% recyclable and contributes to a high-quality waste stream that can be converted into new wooden materials.

This process promotes a longer carbon cycle, greater circularity, and minimizes the need for early product recovery.

“The Ecowoox certification not only verifies the recyclability of wooden packaging but also enhances its lifecycle by ensuring it meets strict European standards,” said Vélez during the presentation.

The certification is based on European standards UNE-EN 13427, UNE-EN 13428, UNE-EN 13429, UNE-EN 13430, and UNE-EN 13431, ensuring compliance with both national and European packaging regulations.

In the Iberian Peninsula, which includes Spain and Portugal, Ecowoox has made notable progress. Within just one year, the certification has captured an impressive 80% of the market share for fruit and vegetable wooden packaging. Fedemco attributes this success to the strong support from the Generalitat Valenciana.

Looking ahead, Fedemco plans to leverage this momentum to expand Ecowoox across Europe. “Thanks to our partners and the Generalitat Valenciana, we are now ready to introduce Ecowoox as a prominent sectoral mark throughout Europe,” Vélez added.

The growing importance of sustainable packaging

The push for sustainable packaging solutions is gaining traction globally. A recent survey revealed that consumers are willing to pay 4-6% more for packaging that is environmentally friendly, though only a small fraction are prepared to spend over 10% more.

The global market for sustainable packaging, encompassing materials like glass, plastic, metal, and paper, is expected to grow from USD 292.71 billion in 2024 to USD 423.56 billion by 2029.

Sustainable packaging is becoming increasingly important to consumers, with around 60% rating it as extremely or very important.

Additionally, 40% of consumers are willing to pay 5-10% more for packaging made from bio-based materials. The demand for bio-plastics, a key component in sustainable packaging, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.2% from 2019 to 2025.