Thorsten Seehars has been appointed as the new CEO of SÜDPACK. He succeeds Erik Bouts, who successfully led the company over the past six years and is stepping down to begin his well-deserved retirement.

With this change of leadership, the film manufacturer is gaining an experienced executive with a proven track record in managing and developing global business segments for various technology leaders. Thorsten Seehars is no stranger to Ochsenhausen, having served the company in an advisory role before. “I’m truly excited to take on the overall responsibility at such a well-established and highly innovative company as SÜDPACK,” he said. “It’s a privilege to continue the work of my predecessor, who strengthened our market position through strategic foresight and with a consistent focus on facts, figures, and results.”

One of Erik Bouts’ most significant achievements was the successful restructuring of the company through the introduction of business units – enabling SÜDPACK to respond to customer needs with greater speed and agility. Another focus area during his tenure as CEO of the family-owned company was a consistent emphasis on sustainability as well as research and development. Today, SÜDPACK is not only a technology leader in its industry but also one of the most innovative and sustainable mid-sized enterprises in Germany. During a farewell event at its Ochsenhausen headquarters, the company’s shareholders and advisory board paid tribute to Erik Bouts for his exemplary service and lasting contributions. He will continue to support SÜDPACK in an advisory capacity until the beginning of 2026.

“We are very pleased to gain a strong leader and seasoned strategist with Thorsten Seehars – someone who will shape the long-term direction of the SÜDPACK Group together with the entire team and drive it forward with fresh momentum,” said Carolin Grimbacher, Managing Partner at SÜDPACK.

The company’s Strategy 2030 is intended to lay the foundation for its next phase of growth. That said, the road ahead will not be without challenges, as Seehars acknowledges: “In the coming years, we will continue to face difficult geopolitical and economic conditions. By focusing on the advantages of a family-owned business, our innovative strength, and the dedication of our entire team, I am confident in our ability to succeed in this demanding market environment.”

According to various forecasts, the global nutraceuticals market currently worth around USD 450 billion – is set to more than double by 2032. At this year’s Vitafoods trade show, taking place from May 20–22 in Barcelona, SÜDPACK Medica will unveil a new sustainable packaging concept at booth 4A16: NutriGuard®, a polypropylene-based blister solution classified as recyclable, is designed for dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, and natural additives. It represents a much greener option compared to conventional primary packaging made of PVC/PVdC/aluminum – and strikes a chord with today’s health-conscious consumers who value anti-aging benefits and natural products.

According to a survey conducted by Statista Consumer Insights, 75% of respondents in Germany report using dietary supplements. This puts the country in a leading position in Europe, alongside the UK and France. Other strong markets include the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, China, Japan, India, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.

In the nutraceuticals sector – as in pharmaceuticals – non-recyclable PVC-aluminum blisters still dominate. However, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is pushing dietary supplement manufacturers to consider recyclable alternatives. This is exactly where SÜDPACK, a sustainability-focused film manufacturer and one of the key drivers of a functioning circular economy in the film and packaging industry, comes into play. Just like PharmaGuard® – SÜDPACK’s award-winning blister concept developed for pharmaceutical applications – NutriGuard® is a fully viable alternative for many use cases. It offers excellent barrier properties, maximum aroma protection, equivalent push-through performance, high transparency, good printability, and efficient processing.

“Now is the right time to switch to a sustainable packaging solution”

SÜDPACK’s innovative blister concept for nutraceuticals is primarily based on polypropylene (PP) and, as a mono-material solution, it can be integrated into existing recycling streams. Another key sustainability benefit: By switching to recyclable packaging, manufacturers and packagers can take advantage of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees now being gradually introduced across the EU. These fees are based on environmental impact and recyclability – and will be lower for sustainable solutions.

With decades of experience in both food and pharmaceutical/medical packaging, SÜDPACK is the ideal partner for suppliers in this market. As Jürgen Bodenmüller, Business Development Director at SÜDPACK Medica, explains: “Nutraceuticals are essentially foods with medical or health benefits. We have in-depth knowledge of the regulations and requirements in this field.” Furthermore, thanks to SÜDPACK’s strong expertise in both mechanical and chemical recycling, the company can already offer its customers packaging materials with recycled content that meet the strict requirements for contact-sensitive products.

The standout feature of NutriGuard® ...

... is its excellent transparency, which provides a clear view of the packaged product. Another key challenge during product development – and one that SÜDPACK was able to overcome thanks to its extensive compounding expertise – was achieving the right push-through performance for the lidding film. “We produce the compounds in-house, which allows us to adapt the recipes as needed,” explains Jürgen Bodenmüller. “Soft capsules require a different mix than tablets or hard capsules. In addition, the barrier created by the lidding film must remain intact even after individual tablets are removed. The film should only break at the tablet’s position and not tear beyond that,” he adds.

Depending on the product, the films can be equipped not only with excellent water vapor barriers, but also with additional protective layers – for example, for probiotic dietary supplements. The films also offer excellent printability, including with recyclable, food-safe inks, and without requiring any surface treatment of the lidding film. A wide temperature window for thermoforming and sealing, along with low processing temperatures, are additional benefits that contribute to both easy handling and improved energy efficiency.

If you would like to learn more about these sustainable blister solutions, don’t miss SÜDPACK’s appearance at Vitafoods in Barcelona. Visitors can look forward to expert guidance and engaging insights on sustainable packaging solutions.

More information: SÜDPACK Medica: NutriGuard®

Vancouver, BC – May 7, 2025 – Fresh Direct Produce Ltd. (“Fresh Direct”), and its partner companies, Islands West Manufacturers Ltd., and Emperor Specialty Foods Ltd., are honoured to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies over the past decade. This prestigious national award is sponsored by CIBC, Deloitte Private, Salesforce, The Globe and Mail, and TMX Group.

“We are excited to receive our 14th consecutive Best Managed Companies Award. I want to thank our team members, customers, vendors and business partners for coming together to ensure a stable supply of nutritious and delicious fresh produce for Canadians, and we are excited to further expand our distribution in Canada as we celebrate our 22nd Anniversary in business,” says Group President Adri de
Wet.

The Fresh Direct Produce Group is one of Canada’s premier fresh produce importers, wholesalers, andmarketers with distribution centres in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. Sourcing and importing over 1,500 ethnic, organic, and conventional fruit and vegetable items from 36 countries, Fresh Direct distributes quality produce to grocery retailers and foodservice customers across Canada. The Group’s commitment to growth and development allows it to attract and align with the best growers, customers, and talents in the industry.

Chicago, IL; May 7th, 2025 - In a world increasingly focused on packaging sustainability and circularity, Packaging World's (PRS) offers packaging professionals a premier opportunity to advance their sustainability goals. Scheduled for June 25-27, 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas Resort & Spa in Irving, TX, PRS presents a focused agenda for education and collaboration with key stakeholders across the CPG packaging supply chain.

The third annual Packaging Recycling Summit will bring together brand owners, retailers, packaging material and equipment suppliers, reprocessors and materials recovery facilities (MRFs). Over 40 educational sessions will explore topics including designing for recyclability, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, advanced recycling technologies, materials innovation, and effective consumer education strategies.

Leading industry experts from across the packaging value chain will share insights on navigating the evolving sustainability landscape. The program features keynote presentations, industry spotlights, CPG talks, interactive roundtables, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Matt Reynolds, Chief Editor of Packaging World, will deliver the welcome address, setting the stage for three days of in-depth discussions on packaging circularity. "As we head into year three, PRS25 will build on the momentum of previous summits by addressing the most pressing opportunities and challenges in designing packaging for circularity and recyclability," said Reynolds.

Among the standout sessions, Jeff Fielkow, CEO of Circular Action Alliance, will share valuable insights on EPR initiatives in the United States, exploring program development, regulatory frameworks, and implementation strategies. Additional EPR-focused sessions will examine programs in Oregon, Colorado, and California, offering critical knowledge for brands preparing for new compliance requirements.

The summit will feature practical case studies on material innovations, including Duracell's transition to paper-based packaging that has significantly reduced plastic use and carbon emissions. Attendees will also learn about advancements in flexible packaging recyclability, PCR content integration, and AI-powered waste recovery systems.

Exclusive research findings will be presented in several sessions, including a roundtable on evolving trends in sustainability and materials use, featuring the latest data from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. Another session will showcase a study on post-consumer recycled stretch film that demonstrates how businesses can improve sustainability without sacrificing performance or cost efficiency.

Morning roundtable discussions will provide intimate forums for attendees to engage with experts on topics ranging from recycling education strategies to deposit return systems and ways for CPG companies to improve recycled content returns.

Registration is now open, with Early-Bird rates extended until May 16, 2025. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are also available.

For more information, please visit: