"Driving Economic Success Through Sustainable Innovation"

“It is tremendously rewarding to see what this foundation and the reusable packaging movement have become.”

With these words, our Co-Chairman Martin A. Schoeller, one of the founding members of the Initiative Mehrweg Foundation (SIM) three decades ago, opened his keynote address at last week's German Reusable Packaging Conference.

Reflecting on the early 1990s, Schoeller recalled that the concept of reusable packaging had yet to emerge as an established industry model. “There were returnable bottles, deposit systems, and, in some cases, reusable beverage containers. But the concept of reusable packaging as an integrated circular system simply did not exist.” As a leading manufacturer of reusable transport packaging, the Schoeller Group asked a fundamental question early on:

“Can the waste-free packaging principle be successfully transferred to other product categories and supply chains?” The first breakthrough came in fresh produce, followed by applications in meat, fish, dairy products, and bakery products.

While retailers initially approached reusable systems with considerable caution, the business case has since become unequivocal: reusable packaging not only reduces waste and CO₂ emissions but also delivers measurable economic advantages throughout the value chain.

Looking ahead, Schoeller emphasized that significant market potential remains untapped. Today, reusable solutions account for only 20-30% of product flows, leaving substantial room for further growth. “Returnable packaging solutions create tremendous opportunities – not only for the environment but also for business. Economic success and sustainable action are not mutually exclusive; they reinforce one another.”

Leopold Schoeller: What Defines High-Performance Reusable Solutions

Leopold Schoeller also joined the conference as a speaker and panelist in the discussion “Financing Circularity – Scaling Reusable Systems.”

He emphasized that the success of reusable systems depends on the performance of the entire circular ecosystem. “A reusable packaging solution is only as strong as the circular system behind it.” From pooling and reverse logistics to seamless integration into customers' day-to-day operations, every element of the value chain must function efficiently. Looking ahead, Schoeller highlighted the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) as a key catalyst for accelerating the transition towards circular packaging systems. “The new regulatory framework increases the pressure to act. At the same time, it creates a unique opportunity to position reusable packaging not as an additional operational burden, but as a strategic lever for more resilient supply chains, lower resource consumption, and more efficient logistics.”

Representing the Schoeller Ventures portfolio at the conference were Smart Container Loop, ReDiPack and Multiloop, showcasing innovative circular solutions and underlining Schoeller Ventures' commitment to advancing the circular economy through scalable, commercially viable reusable packaging systems.