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EPS Packaging in Numbers
EPS embraces the future of the circular economy
through mechanical and chemical recycling
EPS is an extremely lightweight material
tiny EPS beads expand like popcorn
EPS packaging is recycled at high rates
in many European countries: Norway, Denmark, Greece and the Netherlands
EPS packaging waste is collected
to prevent landfilling
Objective for recycling activities by 2025
on EPS packaging waste
EPS contributes to achieve the European circular and sustainable targets
EUMEPS, with the Smart Packaging Europe initiative, advocates for the irreplaceable contribution of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) to critical areas of environmental regulation.
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EUMEPS Contributes to High-Level Fire Safety Debate at the European Parliament
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As part of European Fire Safety Week 2025 (EUFSW25), policymakers, fire safety experts, and industry representatives gathered at the European Parliament for a high-level discussion on the future of fire prevention in Europe. The event aimed to reinforce a shared message: no European home can be considered sustainable, affordable, or decent if it is not fire safe. EUMEPS was invited to take part in this exchange, with Emanuela Gallo, EU Technical Affairs Manager, representing the organisation.
A European Debate Focused on Prevention and Protection
The meeting placed fire safety at the centre of European housing and building policy. Speakers underlined a common responsibility shared between Member States and EU institutions: fire safety must remain a constant priority across Europe’s residential and public buildings.
Throughout the discussion, policymakers emphasised that fire risks remain significant and require continuous attention. Prevention, rather than reaction, was highlighted as a core principle that should guide future regulation and building standards.
EUMEPS’ Contribution to the Conversation
EUMEPS joined the debate to underline the importance of integrating prevention and fire safety considerations into the design, construction, and renovation of buildings. The association welcomed the opportunity to exchange with European legislators on how policy can better support early risk mitigation, especially as Europe accelerates renovation efforts and energy-efficiency improvements.
For EUMEPS, the message is clear: safety and sustainability must go hand in hand. Ensuring that insulation solutions and construction materials contribute to safer living environments is a fundamental part of that effort.
Insights From the European Parliament
Members of the European Parliament reaffirmed that fire safety should be embedded systematically in EU policy. MEP Ciaran Mullooly captured the spirit of the event with a clear reminder: “Fire safety should never be an afterthought.”
Speakers agreed that EU initiatives on housing, building renovation, and sustainability would benefit from stronger integration of fire safety principles. Better data collection, improved cooperation with national authorities, and closer alignment with industry expertise were identified as key next steps.
Conclusion
The high-level meeting at the European Parliament offered an important platform to reflect on the role of fire safety in Europe’s future building policies. EUMEPS’ participation underlines the association’s commitment to contributing constructively to discussions that impact both citizens and industry.
As European Fire Safety Week continues to grow, EUMEPS will remain engaged in efforts to support prevention, improve fire safety standards, and promote a responsible approach to construction and renovation across Europe.
EUMEPS at the European ETICS Forum 2025: Circularity, Durability and Energy Renovation in Europe
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- Category: News - Smart Insulation
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The 7th European ETICS Forum 2025, organised by the European Association for External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (EAE), took place on 12 November in Milan. The event gathered more than 200 specialists, including architects, façade engineers, designers, contractors, policymakers, public authorities, researchers and manufacturers, press agents. Viewed as the main European platform dedicated to ETICS, the Forum offers a comprehensive overview of market trends, technical developments and regulatory priorities shaping the renovation of Europe’s buildings.
EUMEPS participated as sponsor and contributor, represented by Jakub Stefaniak, Emanuela Gallo and Bianca Sereinig. The association’s involvement highlighted the central role of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in façade insulation systems and its contribution to circularity, durability and affordable energy renovation. Jakub delivered a dedicated presentation on the contribution of EPS to circular, sustainable and durable ETICS, drawing on studies, data and practical experience from across Europe.
EPS and its contribution to circular, sustainable and durable ETICS
Jakub began by presenting the EPS value chain represented within EUMEPS: raw material suppliers, converters, recyclers, machinery suppliers and 23 national associations across Europe. He explained how EPS contributes simultaneously to the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability.
On the social aspects, he underlined the direct impact of insulation on living conditions. EPS used in ETICS helps maintain stable indoor temperatures, reducing heat loss during winter and excessive overheating during summer. This leads to lower energy bills — often reduced by 30% to 50% — which is particularly relevant for older buildings and households facing energy poverty. A consistent indoor climate also reduces humidity and mould, improving public health and lowering healthcare costs. Jakub noted: “EPS helps reduce energy bills by 30% to 50% depending on the building, and it contributes to healthier indoor environments by preventing moisture and mould growth.”
On the economic dimension, EPS supports the renovation wave by offering a strong cost-to-thermal-performance ratio. Renovating Europe’s building stock stimulates local employment along the construction value chain and reduces energy consumption, strengthening national energy security. Data from EAE and Cortexa illustrated current trends: Italy, Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic remain the largest ETICS markets, and in 2024, EPS represented 77% of all ETICS insulation.
Environmentally, EPS offers several advantages. It is fully recyclable and compatible with mechanical, physical and chemical recycling technologies. Jakub presented evidence showing that the energy used to produce EPS is offset within approximately two years through energy savings during the lifecycle of the building. Studies also show that recycling can significantly reduce the global warming potential of EPS. Initiatives such as EPSolutely demonstrate practical solutions for reintegrating construction offcuts into production loops. Durability studies presented at the Forum confirmed that EPS maintains its mechanical properties even after decades of use, with examples of systems installed in the 1960s and 1970s still performing well today.
Key messages from the Forum: perspectives from the EUMEPS team
The Forum offered a broad set of insights on regulatory developments, market dynamics and technical performance across Europe. The EUMEPS delegation highlighted several elements as particularly relevant.
For Emanuela Gallo, the attendance of more than 200 participants reinforced the high level of interest in ETICS as a strategic solution for energy renovation and decarbonisation. She emphasised the value of the data presented by EAE and Cortexa, which provided a clear picture of Europe’s building stock, market shares, national differences and renovation needs. She remarked on the intervention by EU Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, who outlined the EU’s approach to energy efficiency and renovation policies. As she explained: “The large number of participants shows how central ETICS is to renovation, decarbonisation and sustainability.”
Bianca Sereinig highlighted the practical strengths of the event design. The format offered sufficient time for discussions, exchanges with system suppliers and high-quality interactions with participants from several countries. She noted a strong alignment across the sector on common priorities: energy efficiency, decarbonisation, circularity and affordable housing. In her view, the Forum confirmed that industry actors share a similar understanding of how ETICS can support the transition. She noted: “There is a common understanding in the ETICS sector on energy efficiency, decarbonisation, circularity and affordable housing. It was encouraging to see high interest in these topics from all sides.”
For Jakub Stefaniak, one of the central elements was the diversity of stakeholders and the growing international interest in ETICS. Participants came from multiple sectors and several national administrations. He noted a particularly strong presence from Italy, reflecting the importance of ETICS in the country’s renovation programmes. He also observed that the EPBD remains a key topic for both industry and authorities: “More and more stakeholders are showing interest in insulation and renovation. The EPBD clearly remains a key topic for industry and authorities.”
Looking ahead: expectations for the next edition
The next edition of the European ETICS Forum will take place in two years, with the EAE Awards planned for 2026 to showcase ETICS projects from across Europe. The EUMEPS team expressed a common set of expectations linked to the evolution of EU policies and national renovation strategies.
All three representatives emphasised the importance of EPBD implementation, which is currently entering the phase of national transposition. The coming years will be decisive for defining funding mechanisms, technical requirements and support schemes to accelerate renovation. Jakub expects the next Forum to provide “more insight into EPBD implementation, with a focus on solutions for successful delivery on the ground.”
Bianca hopes to see concrete progress in applying energy-efficiency principles and the emergence of good practices across Member States, especially regarding circularity and end-of-life management of materials. She stressed the relevance of ETICS in making renovation more affordable and accessible: “In two years, I hope we can already present some good practices in EPBD implementation and show concrete progress on efficiency-first with ETICS.”
Emanuela highlighted the value of maintaining the Forum as a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing. She expects the next edition to keep its focus on decarbonisation, circularity, affordability and renovation policy, while providing an opportunity to compare national approaches and encourage cooperation across the sector. As she stated: “The next Forum will be an opportunity to observe how EPBD implementation advances across countries and to continue exchanges that support collaboration.”
Conclusion
EUMEPS’s participation in the European ETICS Forum 2025 confirmed the strong relevance of EPS as a solution for circular, durable and efficient façade insulation. The event highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing Europe’s renovation agenda, particularly in the context of EPBD implementation, decarbonisation objectives and housing affordability.
By engaging with policymakers, industry representatives and technical experts, EUMEPS contributed to a constructive exchange on how to accelerate renovation, strengthen circular practices and ensure long-term performance of ETICS systems. The next edition of the Forum will be an important moment to assess progress across Europe and continue building cooperation within the sector.
EFSA review finds no evidence of microplastic release from EPS food packaging
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- Written by: Ingrid
- Category: News - Smart Packaging
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- Link title: Read the EFSA technical report, Link URL: https://eumeps.eu/eumeps-newsroom-packaging/publications/2025-efsa-study-nanoplastics-release
Understanding the new EFSA report
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a comprehensive review of scientific literature on the potential release of micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) from plastic food contact materials (FCM). The supporting publication, entitled “Literature review on micro- and nanoplastic release from food contact materials during their use” (EFSA Supporting Publication EN-9733, approved on 15 October 2025), examines evidence from 2015 to 2025 across a wide range of polymer types, including both virgin and recycled plastics.
The review confirms that microplastic release can occur during the use of some food contact materials, primarily as a result of physical wear such as abrasion or friction. However, EFSA highlights that the measured levels are very low and that most available studies face methodological challenges, including contamination and misidentification of particles. As a result, the authority concludes that there is currently insufficient evidence to estimate consumer exposure to micro- and nanoplastics from food contact materials.
Findings specific to polystyrene (PS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS)
Out of 101 food contact material samples analysed across 81 scientific publications, EFSA reports that polystyrene and expanded polystyrene were among the least-studied polymers, with only five cases involving these materials. No study provided evidence of significant or systematic microplastic release from PS or EPS under normal or foreseeable conditions of use.
Where PS or EPS was examined – for example in cups, trays, or food containers – the review found no confirmed identification of particles matching these polymers, nor any validated data on nanoplastic formation. EFSA further notes that some previously reported high release values were likely the result of non-representative testing conditions or confusion between additives and true polymer particles.
Analytical and regulatory observations
The report stresses that accurate identification of polymer particles requires a combination of advanced analytical techniques such as Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, supported by strict contamination control. Many earlier studies did not meet these standards, leading to uncertainty in their conclusions.
EFSA calls for the development of harmonised testing protocols and validated analytical methods under realistic use conditions. Such improvements are considered essential to generate meaningful, polymer-specific assessments of potential microplastic release.
Implications for EPS packaging
EFSA’s review provides no evidence that expanded polystyrene contributes significantly to microplastic exposure through food contact materials. This aligns with independent findings from industry and research institutes, which consistently show that EPS packaging maintains its structural integrity and safety during normal use, including under heat and pressure.
By confirming the absence of measurable or systematic microplastic release from EPS, the EFSA publication supports a more differentiated, evidence-based discussion on polymer safety in the EU. It offers a robust scientific reference for ongoing regulatory work on food contact materials, microplastics, and polymer risk assessment.
Source:
European Food Safety Authority (2025). Literature review on micro- and nanoplastic release from food contact materials during their use. EFSA Supporting Publication EN-9733.
EUMEPS Elects New Board of Directors and Appoints First Female President
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- Document Name: Download our press release, Document File: 2025_PR_EUMEPS_new_Board_of_Directors.pdf
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- Link title: Meet our Board members, Link URL: https://eumeps.eu/about-eumeps/our-structure
A diverse and committed team to guide the European EPS industry towards greater sustainability and circularity.
The General Assembly of EUMEPS, the association representing the entire value chain of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in Europe, has elected a new Board of Directors for the 2025–2027 term.
The newly appointed President is Agata Gładysz-Stańczyk (Synthos) – the first woman to hold this position since the creation of the association. She will work alongside three Vice-Presidents: Alan Moss (BEWI), Gregor Haverkemper (BASF) and Chresten Heide-Anderson (EPSbranchen, Denmark).
This year’s Board brings together experienced professionals from across Europe and reflects the diverse composition of the EPS value chain – from raw material suppliers and converters to recyclers and national associations.
It also sees three women elected, including two new members – Agata Gładysz-Stanczyk and Graziana Carianni (Versalis) – and the re-election of Serena Klein (IVH, Germany).
Agata Gładysz-Stańczyk, newly elected President of EUMEPS, commented: “It is an honour to take on the role of President of EUMEPS at a time when our industry is playing a pivotal role in Europe’s transition towards a circular economy. At Synthos, we have demonstrated that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand — developing advanced insulation materials that both improve building performance and reduce environmental impact. I am confident that, by working together through EUMEPS, we can drive the widespread adoption of sustainable EPS solutions, enhancing energy efficiency in renovations and setting a solid foundation for long-term environmental benefits across Europe”
Jürgen Lang, Director General of EUMEPS, added: “The election of the new Board of Directors, under the leadership of Agata Gładysz-Stańczyk, marks a key milestone for EUMEPS. Over the next two years, our focus will be to elevate the profile of EPS in the European sustainability dialogue, highlighting its advantages in energy efficiency, affordability, and recyclability. We remain committed to working closely with EU policymakers, industry stakeholders and civil society to promote high-performance, circular solutions that support climate neutrality and drive the energy transition.
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr Klaus Ries and the outgoing Board of Directors for their dedication, trust and strategic guidance over the past years. Their leadership has enabled EUMEPS to grow stronger, more visible, and better equipped to represent the EPS value chain at the European level. We now build on this solid foundation with renewed energy and ambition.”
Composition of the EUMEPS Board of Directors (2025–2027)
President
- Agata Gładysz-Stańczyk (Synthos)
Vice-Presidents
- Alan Moss (BEWI)
- Gregor Haverkemper (BASF)
- Chresten Heide-Anderson (EPSbranchen, Denmark)
Directors (alphabetical order)
- Graziana Carianni (Versalis) – Recycler category
- Roman Eberstaller (Sunpor)
- Roland Hebbel (Steinbacher Dämmstoff)
- Markus Kraft (Hirsch Porozell)
- Dariusz Łazęcki (Termo Organika)
- Heimo Pascher (Austrotherm)
- Patrick Sutter (Knauf Industries)
- Serena Klein (IVH, Germany)