Julia Knobloch: Packaging Must Be Designed with Its Full Life Cycle in Mind

Sustainable packaging, the use of recyclate and design for recycling are among the central topics in packaging development at Werner & Mertz, the Mainz-based manufacturer of cleaning and care products. Julia Knobloch has been working there as Deputy Head of Packaging Development for two years. In this interview, the packaging developer talks about motivation, the use of recyclate and the role of plastics in a functioning circular economy.

Portrait of Julia Knobloch, Packaging Developent at Werner & Mertz — Packaging developer Julia Knobloch from Werner & Mertz discusses sustainable packaging, the use of recyclate and the role of plastics in a circular economy.

Ms Knobloch, at Werner & Mertz you develop sustainable packaging solutions. What is your most important task – and what particularly motivates you about it?

For me, the most important task is to take the entire life cycle of a packaging solution into account right from the development stage. Design4Recycling is the foundation on which we design packaging as part of the packaging development team at Werner & Mertz. What motivates me most is that my work allows me to make a tangible impact and bring sustainable packaging to market. What makes the role special is that we support the development process from start to finish and are involved at every stage. Dialogue with potential packaging material suppliers is just as important as internal exchange with all departments involved. Development also includes testing the packaging materials on our production lines and approving them for production. Another important aspect is that, alongside the technical requirements, regulatory requirements must also be taken into account. I am particularly inspired by the great versatility of packaging development at Werner & Mertz.

You previously worked in other industries. What distinguishes packaging development at Werner & Mertz from your earlier roles?

In my view, packaging development at Werner & Mertz differs above all in that sustainability and innovation are not just goals, but are genuinely implemented. Sustainable and innovative packaging is realised despite higher costs and more time-intensive development processes. The world record of “1 billion bottles made from 100% post-consumer recyclate”, set in June last year, is a good example of this.

Werner & Mertz has been using recyclate on an industrial scale for years. What can other packaging users learn from this experience?

Werner & Mertz has been using recyclate since 2008 and has shown for many years that it is possible to bring high-quality packaging made from recyclate to market. It is important to look at the entire value chain. The use of recyclate must not be considered in isolation; in my opinion, it can only work if Design4Recycling is taken into account and if there is dialogue with packaging material suppliers, recyclers and sorters. This creates a better understanding among all participants in the value chain and enables everyone to develop further together.

Plastic packaging is often criticised. Why does it remain important from your perspective – provided it is consistently designed for circularity?

Plastic fulfils requirements for packaging that other materials can often meet only to a limited extent. When using plastic, it is important that packaging can be returned to a high-quality cycle after its life cycle and that plastic is therefore retained as a valuable material through mechanical recycling. Recyclable packaging and the use of recyclate save fossil raw materials. In addition, the use of plastic packaging offers advantages in transport and in the overall CO₂ balance due to its low weight. In my opinion, plastic itself should not be viewed negatively. To assess a packaging solution, the entire value chain must be considered and evaluated.