Rethink packaging
Circular Uplift: Together, for a sustainable packaging world
The European Commission’s planned Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) could set groundbreaking standards for sustainable business – from packaging design and specifications for reusable systems to material and waste management. Should we wait for the EU? Become a packaging hero with us today and set new standards.
Let’s shape a sustainable and responsible packaging world together today!
Sustainable design is aesthetic, functional, effective, successful and fascinating.
For 30 years, we at dfhn have been focusing on good design that eliminates the obsolete and reduces complexity – from innovative packaging design as well as recycling- and reuse-systems to brand design. Regardless of the PPWR – together we are already finding brand-appropriate answers for a responsible packaging world.
“Good design is long-lasting with a positive effect.”
Arne Schultchen
aesthetic
The true aesthetic of sustainability is more profound and versatile than just recycled papers and printed fake wood looks. Switching to more sustainable designs doesn’t have to mean sacrificing aesthetics and sensuality.
effective
Sustainable packaging solutions are more effective in the long term. From waste reduction and cost savings to a convincing brand image, the right packaging solution determines future competitiveness.
successful
Efficiently designed packaging leads to lower costs in production and therefore also for people. It gives a good feeling when shopping, promotes respectful handling and enables a second life.
Rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle, relove.
For us, ecologically conscious packaging design is based on an appreciative, holistic and lively process. Together we create a “circular uplift” for a sustainable and responsible packaging world. Become a packaging hero with us and set new standards.
relove
Infinitely reusable
Thanks to its stability, stackability and resealability, the NIVEA MEN cream tin has not only become the ideal daily care companion, but also a reuse classic.
relove
Infinitely reusable
Thanks to its stability, stackability and resealability, the NIVEA MEN cream tin has not only become the ideal daily care companion, but also a reuse classic.
refocus
Universally circular
Developed over 20 years ago as a circular-streamlining-logistics-tool for Carlsberg, the Basic Crate has replaced a double-digit number of individual beer crates.
return
Aesthetically sustainable
Developed by us in 2007, the Deutsche See fish crate saves 640 tons of polystyrene waste every year, is shipped to and from its customers 3 million times and has a service life of over 10 years thanks to its lightness and stability.
return
Aesthetically sustainable
Developed by us in 2007, the Deutsche See fish crate saves 640 tons of polystyrene waste every year, is shipped to and from its customers 3 million times and has a service life of over 10 years thanks to its lightness and stability.
Rediscover the real purpose of your packaging!
Appreciating product and packaging and understanding them holistically is the basis of good packaging design – from production to people’s hands and back again. Discover with us the purpose of packaging and how sustainable packaging design not only fulfills regulations, but can emerge intuitively and inspire people.
Protection
Packaging is more than just an outer shell. It provides the protection to transport valuable contents safely. Good packaging designs ensure the protection and integrity of the product even with less material.
Touch
Change is fun when improvement can be felt. We design packaging for people’s hands, for intuitive and natural use, as if it had always been that way.
Identity
Packaging and brand identity belong together. The switch to more sustainable designs without compromising on aesthetics and functionality must be considered holistically. This also raises the brand to a new level.
Added value
Reusable packagings in intuitive collection and recycling systems, as well as second-life usages, convey the good feeling of sustainable action and connect this feeling with the brand.
Circular Uplift for your packaging
We have over 30 years of experience in packaging design and use our human-centered approach to create signs, products, packaging and spaces that are transformative, long-lasting and iconic. With the new challenge of PPWR, we see an opportunity to bring back a central question: What is the real purpose of your packaging?
10 guiding questions for change
See the opportunities
How do you want your brand to be perceived?
Take everyone with you
Who is involved in the packaging life cycle?
Only transport what is valuable
What does your brand stand for and what does your product stand for if you dispense with everything superfluous?
Become one with logistics
What is the most direct way to get your product to people?
Adapt materials and processes
Which process technologies enable greater safety for the circular economy?
Focus on forms and functions
How do you make the essentials easily recognizable and accessible?
Be accommodating and inviting
What added value can the packaging have for people, what good feeling do you stand for?
Reduce your messages
What is really important – for you and your customers? What information can you communicate best and where?
Move people
How do you best connect with people and the sustainability movement?
Design-relevant regulations from the PPWR
The aim of the PPWR is to significantly reduce the negative environmental impact of packaging in the European Union. Resource consumption and packaging waste are to be significantly reduced and the circular economy promoted. In future, the PPWR will have a significant influence on ensuring that unnecessary packaging is avoided and/or not produced in the first place. It can also ensure that reusable packaging becomes the new standard instead of disposable packaging. What are the objectives of the regulation and which articles are relevant to design?
- Avoiding waste
- More efficient use of resources
- Increase in recycling rates
- Establishment of circularity
- Better environmental protection
Restriction of the concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium.
2030: Introduction of criteria for the recycling of packaging
2035: Expansion of the criteria for optimizing collection and sorting.
2030: Plastic packaging must contain a proportion of recycled material, e.g:
30% beverage bottles
10% for sensitive contents
35% other plastics
The volume of the packaging must be kept as low as possible, taking into account the safety and functionality of the packaging.
The weight of the packaging must be kept as low as possible, taking into account the safety and functionality of the packaging.
“Packaging is a strange word – so divisive, so independent ... and so deceptive. A banana skin is also a kind of packaging, but it is also the natural basis for the fruit to grow. If the only purpose of packaging is to communicate artificial product messages to the outside world because the inside says nothing, then everyone has lost out.”
Arne Schultchen
