UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe expands its membership as the soft drinks category continues to evolve
Five new members join UNESDA: Carlsberg, Monster Energy, Royal Unibrew, the Hungarian Soft Drinks Association and the Polish Federation of Food Industry Union of Employers The Board of Directors of UNESDA, the European trade association representing Europe’s soft drinks industry, is delighted to announce that Carlsberg, Monster Energy and Royal Unibrew along with the Hungarian Soft Drinks Association (MAGYÜSZ) and the Polish Federation of Food Industry Union of Employers (PFPZ), are joining the organisation. With these additions, UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe will now have a total of 39 members1. This expansion reflects the growth of the soft drinks sector and the importance of strengthening industry collaboration to advocate for sound and stable policies that provide businesses with the predictability needed to invest and thrive. The European soft drinks sector makes a significant contribution to the European economy and society. The sector supports over 1.8 million jobs across its supply chain in Europe. With over 500 production facilities across the continent, it sources more than 85% of ingredients from European farmers and manufactures over 97% of its beverages within Europe2. Peter Harding, President of UNESDA & CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food International, stated: ‘’The increase in new members is a recognition of the importance of our sector in Europe, and the key role that UNESDA plays in bringing the industry together to foster a cohesive and unified voice to advocate for supportive and stable policies. This is crucial for ensuring that we continue thriving and contributing to the prosperity and wellbeing of European citizens.’’ Consumers are embracing new consumption habits and lifestyle goals, driving innovation in the sector. Increased focus on health and wellbeing is accelerating the diversification of the soft drink portfolio. There is a greater demand for low-/no-sugar drinks and newer, refreshing options like functional drinks3. Market and economic dynamics are also shaping the soft drinks category, particularly the rise of at-home consumption among younger generations. Furthermore, environmental expectations are influencing consumers’ beverage choices and the sector is actively responding with a broad range of actions4, from offering innovative sustainable packaging solutions and packaging-free alternatives (e.g. home soda dispensers, syrups) to decarbonising its operations, protecting the environment and preserving water resources. Christian Wulff Søndergaard, Vice President, Head of Global Corporate Affairs of Carlsberg, affirmed: ‘’We are very pleased to become a member of UNESDA. Our membership marks a bright new chapter for us as we continue our growth in the soft drinks market and strengthen the importance of our business. We are eager to advance our common goals and foster a more diverse and sustainable beverage landscape for consumers. We look forward to all that we can deliver together.’’ Desmond White, Chief Commercial Officer, EMEA at Monster Energy, explained: ‘’We are delighted to join UNESDA at a time when the energy drinks category, in particular, is showing great potential to evolve in innovative ways. We believe our membership creates opportunities to address challenges and opportunities common to the category.” Lars Jensen, CEO of Royal Unibrew, said: ‘’We are happy to join UNESDA. We have grown rapidly over the last years, and our membership fits our growth path as we see that, together with UNESDA, we can work on a supportive regulatory environment. An environment that supports the industry and creates a more sustainable and healthier food and drink environment for all Europeans.’’ Dr. Géza Miklósvári, President of the Hungarian Mineral Water, Fruit Juice and Soft Drink Association (MAGYÜSZ), noted: ‘’We are glad to be joining UNESDA. This gives us the chance to contribute to leveraging our industry knowledge and work at the EU level to accelerate positive change. We look forward to working side by side with our colleagues and EU policymakers.’’ Andrzej Gantner, Director General of the Polish Federation of Food Industry, commented: “Joining UNESDA is an important step for the Polish Federation of Food Industry. This membership not only strengthens the existing cooperation between our organisations but also amplifies the voice of Polish beverage producers at the European level. We hope that this will ensure that EU policies and initiatives increasingly consider the perspective of Polish producers, contributing to the continued development of our industry.” Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages takes on a key role on UNESDA’s Executive Committee UNESDA is also pleased to announce that Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages, a long-standing member, is joining the UNESDA Executive Committee. This demonstrates Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages’ deep commitment to shaping the association’s strategic priorities and driving its ongoing success. Muriel Lienau, current CEO Nestlé Waters in Europe and future CEO of Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages, states: ‘’We are honoured by the opportunity to join the UNESDA Executive Committee. This is an important strategic step for us as we are seeing the demand and expectation for both waters and non-alcoholic beverages undergoing significant transformation and catching more and more consumer interest. We look forward to working closely with our fellow board members to help lead the association’s strategy and contribute to its future achievements.’’ Download Press Release in PDF
Industry-NGO coalition calls on MEPs to support mandatory DRS in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Ahead of the plenary vote on the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE), The Minderoo Foundation, The Reloop Platform, UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe and Zero Waste Europe call on Members of the European Parliament to reject any amendment aiming at turning the mandatory setting up of Deposit Refund Systems (DRS) into a voluntary measure. If adopted, those amendments would considerably reduce the level of ambition of the PPWR regarding the collection and recycling of beverage packaging. Indeed, as recognised by the European Commission in its proposal, and by the ENVI Committee in its report adopted in October, DRS have a key role to play in achieving a circular economy for beverage packaging. European countries with long-established DRS (such as the Nordics) usually report collection rates up to 95% and countries that have recently implemented DRS (Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Malta) already see high collection rates, going up to 90%. Given current collection performances in other parts of the EU, many Member States are unlikely to achieve their EU collection targets without setting up a DRS. As an example, in France, where many advocate against a mandatory DRS, research shows a 60% collection rate for PET bottles, with limited ability to get to the 77% requested by the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive by 2025. The absence of well-performing collection schemes in every single Member State would jeopardize the EU recycling and recycled content targets. DRS are one of the most efficient options for meeting those targets but also for creating a closed-loop recycling system ensuring the material collected can be recycled in new beverage containers. Indeed, DRS have not only delivered high collection rates for beverage packaging in countries where they are in place, but they also have the benefit of providing high-quality food-grade recycled material in a clean single stream. They can contribute towards the EU’s climate objectives by reducing the need for virgin materials thanks to closed-loop recycling. Another important factor is the widespread consumer support for DRS. For example, surveys found 92% of the French public support its introduction, and in Slovakia, 83% support rose to 89% after the DRS was introduced1. For those reasons, the obligation to set up a DRS in each Member State should be maintained in the EU PPWR and the only exemptions provided should be based on similar very high collection rates achieved by other EPR schemes. This is the only way to ensure high collection rates are achieved in every single EU Member State. Removing this obligation would be accepting a status-quo where too much beverage packaging ends up being littered, not properly collected and therefore not recycled or reused as it should. We therefore urge MEPs to reject amendments 409, 426, 429, 433, 455 in the vote in plenary on 22 November. 1 FR source: Ipsos, Les Francais et la Consigne des Emballages de Boissons, April 2023. SK source: Správca zálohového systému, How is DRS Doing So Far? – Survey, December 2022. Download Press Release in PDF
Joint letter on the proposed changes to the Deposit Return System for single-use beverage containers in Slovakia
Following the European Parliament’s plenary vote on the proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe recognises that the EU institutions have taken important steps to further harmonise packaging waste management rules and bring more predictability to businesses as well as to support the circularity of beverage packaging.
Business Coalition urges ambitious, open trade policy to boost EU competitiveness and prosperity
Following the European Parliament’s plenary vote on the proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe recognises that the EU institutions have taken important steps to further harmonise packaging waste management rules and bring more predictability to businesses as well as to support the circularity of beverage packaging.
UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe’s statement following plenary vote on the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
Following the European Parliament’s plenary vote on the proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe recognises that the EU institutions have taken important steps to further harmonise packaging waste management rules and bring more predictability to businesses as well as to support the circularity of beverage packaging.
UNESDA releases its Manifesto for the 2024-2029 EU political term
As the European Union prepares for a new legislative cycle, the European soft drinks sector, represented by UNESDA, has published its Manifesto, outlining its key ambitions and policy priorities for the 2024-2029 EU political term. The Manifesto highlights the sector’s commitment to promoting balanced diets, driving environmental sustainability across its supply chain and maintaining its competitive position as a key contributor to the European economy. Unveiling the Manifesto, Peter Harding, President of UNESDA and CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food International, stated: ‘’As we launch our EU Manifesto, I am thrilled to present the European soft drinks sector’s vision for the next political term in the EU. We will be driven by our unwavering commitment to advancing sustainability and promoting healthier lifestyles. We will also strive to sustain our competitive position as a sector with a strong local dimension (over 500 production sites in Europe), actively contributing to prosperity and employment in Europe by supporting over 1.8 million jobs, both directly and throughout our supply chain.’’ Mr. Harding added: ‘’We hope for a new EU political strategy that prioritises realistic and evidence-driven policies, based on thorough impact assessments, and fosters continuous dialogue with all sectors.’’ UNESDA’s Manifesto is built around three key ambitions related to competitiveness, health and nutrition, and environment, and sets out the sector’s main policy asks. These can be summarised as: AMBITION 1: A more sustainable and competitive soft drinks sector The sector is committed to creating continued value for Europe’s economy and citizens in the transition to a more sustainable and healthier food system. It calls on policymakers to: Establish a streamlined legislative approach, providing regulatory certainty with workable timescales, ensuring new legislation is science-based, and undertaking appropriate and thorough impact assessments; Secure a strong single market at the heart of EU policy, with uniform implementation of EU food and environmental legislation; Promote fairness across the food supply chain to ensure everyone plays their part and there is no discrimination against any specific food, drink or ingredient. AMBITION 2: Helping Europeans to lead healthier lifestyles The sector is committed to further supporting healthier lifestyles by intensifying its efforts in reducing the average sugar content in its soft drinks, promoting responsible marketing and advertising practices to children under 13 years of age, and implementing stringent school policies. It calls on policymakers to: Ensure up-to-date and reliable pan-European monitoring of food and drink consumption intakes and patterns to better understand what interventions can be effective; Develop evidence-based policies that do not discriminate against ingredients approved as safe for use by health authorities, and which enable food innovation; Support science-based, harmonised and non-discriminatory labelling policies to help consumers make informed choices. AMBITION 3: Driving environmental sustainability throughout our value chain The sector is committed to advancing sustainability across its value chain by undertaking a wide range of actions to reduce its carbon footprint, protect water resources, improve energy efficiency and achieve packaging circularity. It calls on policymakers to: Ensure well-designed collection schemes and a sufficient supply of food-grade feedstock for recycling to enable closed-loop recycling, when appropriate; Incentivise investments in carbon emission reduction (renewable energy, increased access to low-carbon energy, collection and recycling infrastructure); Put water high on the political agenda and encourage investments in infrastructure promoting the conservation and restoration of water resources and providing fair and equitable access to water for citizens and businesses. The European soft drinks sector will maintain an active and constructive engagement with policymakers and all stakeholders to help develop enabling and science-based policies that are truly effective and bring benefits for the environment, consumers and businesses. Download Press Release in PDF
UNESDA statement on the Council’s General Approach on the proposal for an EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Despite Member States’ efforts, more improvements are needed to really enable circular beverage packaging Today, the 27 EU Member States have adopted their General Approach on the proposal for an EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). These efforts fall short of fully addressing the critical elements that will help move circularity forward. While UNESDA welcomes the support for the mandatory rollout of Deposit and Return System (DRS), our industry deeply regrets that Member States have lowered the collection threshold granting an exemption from this obligation. The text adopted by the Council lays down a 78% collection rate, as opposed to the 90% envisaged by the European Commission and the proposed 85% by the European Parliament. This is not the right approach to boost collection and recycling of beverage packaging. DRS have a key role to play in supporting Member States in achieving a circular economy for beverage packaging. The figures speak for themselves: European countries with long-established DRS, such as the Nordics, usually report collection rates up to 95% and countries that have recently implemented DRS, including Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Malta, already see high collection rates (up to 90%). Nicholas Hodac, Director General of UNESDA, comments: ‘’Even though Member States secured the obligation for the mandatory rollout of DRS, lowering the collection threshold granting an exemption from the DRS obligation is clearly a step back in the efforts to improve the collection of beverage packaging in the EU.’’ When it comes to reuse, UNESDA welcomes the support for systems enabling refill as one of the solutions to achieve the reuse and refill targets but deplores the lack of recognition of the complementarity of reuse and recycling. While reusable packaging should definitely be part of the solution to reduce packaging and packaging waste, it should complement the ongoing recycling efforts made by the industry. How to do that? By creating exemption mechanisms from the reuse and refill targets to ensure that reusable models are put in place where and when they bring more environmental benefits than their recyclable counterpart. Reacting on Member States’ position on reuse, Mr. Hodac states: ‘’It is truly disappointing to see that Member States missed the opportunity to acknowledge the complementarity of reuse and recycling by failing to support the creation of exemptions mechanisms. While reuse can help achieve a circular economy, it doesn’t always bring positive environmental outcomes and that’s why exemptions are needed.’’ Finally, when it comes to the recycled content targets, Mr. Hodac notes regretfully: ‘’We are also disappointed by Member States’ lack of support for a mechanism that would enable closed-loop recycling whenever it makes sense. A priority access right to food-grade recyclates would provide beverage manufacturers with reliable access to recycled materials, enabling them to achieve the EU’s mandatory recycled content targets and their own voluntary commitments.’’ Trialogue negotiations involving the three EU institutions – the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission – will start in January for the adoption of the PPWR. UNESDA stands ready to strengthen collaboration with all decision-makers to ensure the consolidation of the supported enablers and address the elements still causing concern. Download Press Release in PDF
UNESDA statement on the European Parliament’s vote on the proposal for an EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
The European soft drinks sector, represented by UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe, commends the positive efforts of MEPs, under the leadership of Rapporteur Frédérique Ries, in fostering a circular economy with the creation of some essential enablers through the adoption of their amendments to the draft EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Industry-NGO coalition calls on MEPs to support mandatory DRS in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Ahead of the plenary vote on the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE), The Minderoo Foundation, The Reloop Platform, UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe and Zero Waste Europe call on Members of the European Parliament to reject any amendment aiming at turning the mandatory setting up of Deposit Refund Systems (DRS) into a voluntary measure.
Why priority access to recyclates should be secured in the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
With just one week left until the plenary vote on the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the European natural mineral water and soft drink industries call on all MEPs to secure a priority access right to recyclates in the PPWR proposal. Their call is supported by deposit and return system (DRS) operators from Sweden and Slovakia, where a priority access principle is already implemented. Priority access brings several benefits. It promotes closed-loop recycling where technically possible, and it provides manufacturers with reliable access to recycled materials, enabling them to achieve the EU mandatory recycled content targets. It also encourages other sectors to invest in the collection and recycling of their own products, ultimately contributing to a more circular economy. Anna-Karin Fondberg, Managing Director at Sveriges Bryggerier/ The Swedish Brewers, comments: “We see the true value of having a priority access to recycled content enshrined within the Swedish DRS. This has proven to be a crucial element to secure a consistent supply of recycled content, enabling the industry to meet the EU’s recycled content targets. With this priority access, also our SMEs are in a position to make the necessary investments in recycled content to achieve their recycled content obligations and circularity ambitions.” Lucia Morvai, Director of External Affairs and Communications of the Slovak DRS Administrator, notes: ‘’A priority access right to recycled material is a fundamental component of the Slovak DRS. This is absolutely necessary to enable a circular economy. It provides the industry with sufficient access to recycled materials to meet the EU’s recycled content targets. SMEs, in particular, have a lot to gain from it, because they have the possibility to comply with the EU’s recycled content obligations, whilst remaining competitive.’’ Patricia Fosselard, Secretary General of Natural Mineral Waters Europe, states: “The beverage industry has demonstrated the effectiveness of a closed-loop model, but a consistent supply of recycled material is a critical necessity to incentivise investment, realise the full potential of this model, and boost resource efficiency. We are not asking for uniquely special treatment. The principles of a priority access right should apply universally to any sector committed to investing in closed-loop recycling.’’ Nicholas Hodac, Director General of UNESDA, adds: “The European Parliament’s ENVI Committee’s support for a priority access principle was a positive step towards enabling a circular economy. Wider MEPs’ support is now needed to ensure that this legal mechanism is secured in the PPWR proposal. We already know that a priority access right works. It is implemented in Sweden and Slovakia, authorised by national authorities, and it has been approved under Austrian law and will be integrated into its DRS that is soon to be launched.’’ Background information The European natural mineral waters and soft drinks industries have been enhancing packaging material efficiency, and investing in lightweighting solutions, recyclability and efficient collection systems, such as Deposit and Return Systems (DRS). These investments are vital to helping the industries to meet the EU mandatory recycled content targets. Under the current EU regimes for recycled plastic in food contact, only recycled PET (rPET) is authorised. Therefore, securing a stable supply of rPET for beverage manufacturers is essential to meet EU-mandated recycled content targets. However, it has been challenging to secure it due to the downcycling of PET beverage bottles. According to a 2022 study by Eunomia and Zero Waste Europe, a substantial portion of PET beverage bottles collected for recycling (approximately 68%) is downcycled into other PET product applications, such as polyester textiles, automobiles or toys, from which they cannot be recycled back into rPET. This breaks the recycling loop and restricts the overall rPET supply. The resultant price volatility can also seriously delay investments in recycling, particularly on the part of SMEs. A priority access right will also drive innovation as it will encourage recyclers to collaborate with partner sectors to develop new closed-loop systems, each with efficient collection and a stable supply of recycled material. Note to Editors About NMWE Natural Mineral Waters Europe has been the voice of natural mineral water and spring water since 1953, and today represents more than 500 producers. The sector provides European consumers with healthy, natural and high-quality hydration. Pioneers in sustainable management, our members have a long tradition of working in partnership with local communities to safeguard the environment around water resources. Our mission extends to achieving full circularity for all packaging. www.naturalmineralwaterseurope.org/ About UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe Established in 1958, UNESDA – Soft Drinks Europe is the Brussels-based trade association representing the non-alcoholic beverages sector. Its membership comprises 10 companies and 25 national associations from across Europe. UNESDA members are involved in the production and/or distribution of a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages, including still drinks, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, iced teas, flavoured waters and sports drinks. www.unesda.eu Download Press Release in PDF