PAPACKS in EMPPA European association of the molded fiber value chain
The European Moulded Pulp Producers Association (EMPPA) represents the molded fiber value chain vis-à-vis policymakers and regulators in Brussels. PAPACKS co-founded it in 2022 and contributes test data and series production experience from three plants. Tahsin Dag is its president.
The association
The rules for molded fiber are made in Brussels. Your supplier helps shape them
EMPPA brings together raw material suppliers, producers, recyclers and buyers of molded fiber and represents them vis-à-vis policymakers and regulators. Its stated goal: a level playing field for molded fiber packaging.
PAPACKS role
Founding member, president
PAPACKS co-founded the association in 2022, and Tahsin Dag leads it as president. PAPACKS contributes test data and series production experience from three plants to the association's work.
Founded
2022
Non-profit, based in Berlin, represented in Brussels — where EU legislation is made.
Mission
The entire value chain
Raw material suppliers, molded fiber producers, technology and service providers, recyclers and customers — every stage of the material in one association.
Regulation
PPWR & EU law
Positions on the Packaging Regulation (PPWR) and EU legislation — based on the members' test data and practical experience.
The association's demands
Approve molded fiber under the same rules EU-wide
The association that PAPACKS co-founded in 2022, and whose president is Tahsin Dag, is asking Brussels for four things. Each of them would change what you have to document for supplier approval and labeling — none of them is current law.
Standards
One material, one definition
The association calls for uniform standards for molded fiber made from waste paper, agricultural by-products and other biomaterials — so that the material has the same name in every tender.
Collection
Collection via existing streams
The association calls for molded fiber packaging to be assigned by regulation to the existing collection systems for paper and biowaste — instead of setting up separate collection routes.
Food contact
Same FCM rules, EU-wide
The association calls for uniform rules for food contact materials with defined data requirements — so that a declaration of conformity holds in all member states.
Labeling
Extend the EU Ecolabel
The association calls for the EU Ecolabel to be extended to molded fiber packaging — including fibers from annual plants such as industrial hemp, one of PAPACKS' two raw materials. So far, molded fiber packaging does not carry the EU Ecolabel.
Positions
A position paper on the Circular Economy Act. Presented in Prague, November 2025
The association calls for minimum quotas for recycled content and paper collection, eco-modulated EPR fees EU-wide — and recognition of coated molded fiber components as mono-material in paper recycling. This classification is still pending.
At the fourth Association Day, the members confirmed Tahsin Dag as president. Elected to the board were Marthijn Broeils as vice president, Michael Marchuk as treasurer and Richard Hagenauer as board member; Serhii Rudkovskyi was co-opted.
In Prague, the association presented a position paper on the EU Circular Economy Act. It calls for aligning the act with the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, specifically promoting the processing of fiber-based secondary raw materials and harmonizing extended producer responsibility EU-wide with eco-modulated fees. It also calls for minimum quotas for recycled content and for the collection of paper and cardboard — and for molded fiber with a functional coating to be recognized as mono-material in paper recycling in the future.
Position paper · 2023
EMPPA mission
The regulatory framework the association calls for for molded fiber products in the EU — the founding paper.
Position paper (PDF, English) →Position paper · June 2025
EU Bioeconomy Strategy
Biomass-based raw materials in the circular bioeconomy — the association's position on the Commission's strategy.
Position paper (PDF, English) →Position paper · November 2025
Circular Economy Act
The association's demands for the upcoming EU circular economy law — presented at the Association Day in Prague.
Announcement on emppa.eu →PAPACKS · PPWR
PPWR position paper
For each requirement of Regulation (EU) 2025/40, what is confirmed for molded fiber today — and what remains an assessment. A PAPACKS document, not an association position.
PPWR position paper (PDF) →Next step
What the new rules mean for your packaging — let us clarify it together
Direct
Send inquiry
Describe your project — you will receive the certificates and documents we provide for your molded part today, each with its scope.
Send inquiry →Evidence
Supplier Approval & PPWR
BRCGS v7 Grade A (Gigafactory 1 + 2, Arnstadt), declaration of conformity according to Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, PFAS declaration, PPWR status — for each molded part.
Supplier Approval & PPWR →Association
emppa.eu
The association's positions, members and events — the secretariat answers questions about membership.
Go to EMPPA website →Assessments of delegated acts that are still pending are reasoned expectations, not legal advice.