Alpla: Circular Thinking with Pioneering Spirit

In conversation with Packaging People, Alpla CEO Philipp Lehner talks about the challenges and opportunities of the circular economy, technological milestones such as packaging made from 100% recycled household waste, and the role of plastics in a sustainable future.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of Alpla – but CEO Philipp Lehner is looking ahead, not back: “Our task is to shape the next 70 years,” he says in conversation with Packaging People, the podcast by Packaging Journal and interpack. And the company is doing just that – with innovative strength and a healthy dose of engineering spirit. 

Together with Werner & Mertz, Alpla has set a milestone: packaging made entirely from material collected through Germany’s household recycling system, the Gelber Sack (“Yellow Bag”) – on an industrial scale. “Ten years ago, we would have said: impossible,” says Lehner. Today, it’s reality. The path? Step by step, from 30 percent recycled content to 100 percent. Technologically feasible, high in quality – now the market has to follow. Because: “Recycling comes at a cost.” Stability and demand, he stresses, are crucial.

The project demonstrates that even challenging plastic streams can be recycled into high-quality material – meeting U.S. FDA-compliant standards. This sends a strong signal to international markets. It also proves that mechanical recycling is capable of more than many assume. 

Alpla relies on two pillars: a strong team (“Talent Powerhouse”) and customer centricity. “We want to solve problems.” That, says Lehner, brings relevance and energy. Clear principles add to this foundation: reliability, decisiveness, effective communication. And: proactivity is a must. 

“Plastic is fantastic” – Alpla makes a clear commitment to plastics as a material. With the foundation of the same name, the company aims to reach consumers directly and provide fact-based education. Because, as Lehner stresses: “Plastics are indispensable. But solutions must be delivered.” His greatest wish: “That Europe stops regulating itself to death.” Overregulation and imports, he warns, threaten recycling structures. “That helps no one.”