Customer acceptance of airpop packaging rises

 The German Plastics Packaging Association (Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen, IK) recently participated in a survey on the image of plastics in Germany, revealing good results for the material airpop/EPS (expanded polystyrene).

The survey was carried out by Ri*QUESTA of Germany. Compared wtih the last survey carried out in 2013, the image of packaging made from airpop material has improved by 11%. According to the survey, 54% of those surveyed now view airpop packaging positively.

The focus of the study was on packaging for household equipment and consumer electronics.

The respondents felt the key benefit of the packaging was that it afforded high product protection while being low in weight, the association says.

However, recycling and the associated conservation of resources were regarded with scepticism.

“We are pleased that the image of airpop packaging has improved so significantly and particularly appreciate the practical approach to the material,” says IK General Manager Ulf Kelterborn. “The results show that the permanent public relations work over the last few years has borne fruit.

“In future, we will not only communicate the special product protection benefits but will also address the conservation of resources and in particular the good recycling options for the material,” he adds.

The material EPS has been marketed under the common European brand name of airpop in the field of packaging and moulded parts since 2014. The aim of this new brand is to achieve synergies when providing information on the material at a European level, IK says.