EPAT Launches New Version For Tracking Supply Chain BY GREG KISHBAUGH The Environmental Paper Assessment Tool (EPAT) has released its lat- est version, EPAT 4.2, for assessing the environmental and social per- formance of paper and packaging supply chains. The Environmental Paper Assessment Tool (EPAT) is a web-based platform that enables buyers of paper and packaging products to eval- uate the environmental and social impacts of their supply chains. Sup- pliers share performance data through a consistent framework cover- ing more than 30 key performance indicators, supporting transparency and collaboration toward sustainable business practices.
PMMI: Sustainable Future Depends On Teamwork A new report from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, finds that end users and OEMs often share similar goals but face different challenges when trying to make packaging more sustain- able. The report shows that collaboration be- tween end users and OEMs is critical to mak- ing packaging more sustainable.
According to The New Material World: Packaging’s Path Toward Sustainability , end users rank cost as their top concern, followed by legislation and regulation, while OEMs place regulation first. The lack of clear federal standards makes compliance difficult, leaving companies to navigate a patchwork of state laws and retailer requirements. The study, which surveyed 302 partici- pants from both end users and OEMs, shows that both groups see trade-offs as unavoid- able. Moving to greener materials can in- crease costs and sometimes reduce packag- ing performance or equipment efficiency. “Collaboration is essential,” the report states, noting that progress depends on both sides working together. End users are feeling the pinch of rising material costs but remain focused on recyclability. Materials like paper- board, corrugated packaging, and clear glass are gaining favor, while polystyrene, foams, and PVC are on the way out. Compostable materials, once viewed as a major opportuni- ty, have lost momentum due to higher costs and limited infrastructure.
This update introduces new features and refined indicators, en- abling buyers and suppliers to align more closely with evolving global sustainability requirements. A new Key Performance Indicator has been added to measure sup- plier compliance with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires companies placing paper, wood, and relat- ed commodities on the EU market to prove products are deforesta- tion-free, legally produced, and supported by a Due Diligence System (DDS). Scoring reflects progress from no traceability systems to full third-party verified compliance with continuous improvement. EPAT now includes a Business Ethics indicator, allowing suppliers to demonstrate their policies, risk management systems, and third-party verification related to anti-corruption, transparency, and ethical busi- ness conduct. This KPI supports accountability in corporate gover- nance and strengthens trust between buyers and suppliers.
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November 10, 2025
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