Short Term Demand for Cartonboard Increases by 30% Amid Pandemic
Europe’s carton manufacturing associations have announced a rise in demand of around 30% for cartonboard since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The spike in demand has been seen particularly for the packaging of frozen and dried foods, confectionery and pharma products. Cartonboard remains the most sustainable of all packaging materials at the current time.
So far, according to industry professionals, the packaging industry is coping well with the crisis and is remaining fully operational as it recognises the importance of providing adequate packaging to meet demand during these exceptional times. The provision of safely packaged food products and pharmaceuticals is vital to keep the European countries well supplied and the industry is pleased that the EC is acting swiftly to support Packaging Associations and businesses as they strive to get their products to the shelves.
Fast track green lane delivery
Packaging Associations approached the European Commission with a request to enable a green lane passage for the delivery of packaging and materials. This has now been agreed and the EC has encouraged all EU countries to enable the fast track green lane use for vehicles transporting packaging essentials.
Green lanes are designated internal EU border-crossing points on the trans-European transport network (TEN-T). All EU member countries have been urged to quickly designate their green lanes to keep freight moving during the pandemic.
Protecting key workers
Green lane border crossing points are also in place to protect key transport workers during the crisis and checks should take no more than 15 minutes. This includes basic health checks and driver screening and the driver may not have to leave the vehicle.
All countries are being urged to work together to ensure the free movement of critical freight supplies across all EU borders. Currently, green lanes are also being used to allow key workers to pass freely as required with minimum checks or disruption.
