PAP 21, PAP 20, PAP 22 — what do these symbols mean?
PAP codes are the European system for identifying packaging materials. For paper and board you will most often encounter three symbols: PAP 20, PAP 21 and PAP 22. They clearly indicate which material the packaging or its main component is made from.
What do PAP 20, PAP 21 and PAP 22 mean?
PAP codes organise information about fibrous materials used in packaging. In brief:
- PAP 20 – corrugated board
- PAP 21 – solid board
- PAP 22 – paper
For the customer this means one thing: easier identification of the packaging material. For the manufacturer and designer it is also a clearer starting point when designing packaging in line with circular-economy principles.
PAP 20
Corrugated board
Most commonly used where higher transport resistance is required.
PAP 21
Solid board
A rigid, aesthetic material commonly used in confectionery, bakery and food-service boxes.
PAP 22
Paper
Material used in wrappers, interleaves and lightweight packaging applications.
Why we use PAP 21
In many of our packaging solutions for confectioneries, bakeries and food service we use PAP 21 — solid board. It combines three qualities well: aesthetics, rigidity and production functionality.
A well-designed PAP 21 packaging can:
- protect the product effectively,
- present the product attractively at point of sale,
- speed up the packing process,
- provide a simpler material base than more complex constructions.
From a EU regulatory perspective this matters because the direction is clear: packaging must be designed to be more recyclable, material-efficient and clearly labelled.
Our approach
We do not treat PAP 21 as a marketing slogan. We treat it as a material designation that, in a well-designed packaging, provides a good starting point for alignment with the EU's design-for-recycling direction.
Benefits of PAP 21 in the EU regulatory context
The PAP 21 designation alone does not automatically make a packaging “fully eco-friendly”. It does however offer several genuine advantages in the context of current and upcoming EU requirements.
Clear material identification
PAP 21 clearly communicates that we are dealing with solid board. This organises material information and enables more transparent communication about packaging composition.
A good starting point for design-for-recycling
EU law is moving towards requiring all packaging to be recyclable. Constructions based on a single dominant fibrous material are generally a simpler starting point than more complex multi-material packaging.
Easier weight and volume optimisation
EU requirements have long stated that packaging weight and volume should be limited to the minimum necessary for protection, hygiene and product function. Well-designed solid board fits this logic well.
Strong alignment with recycling targets for paper and board
Paper and board are among the material groups with high recycling targets in the EU. This does not automatically benefit every individual packaging, but clearly shows that fibrous packaging is an important part of the EU circular economy.
Better position regarding future regulatory costs
New EU rules link packaging design quality to producer responsibility systems and recyclability assessment. Simpler, better-designed material constructions have a better starting point than more complex solutions.
W praktyce — PAP 21 ma sens tam, gdzie potrzebne jest opakowanie estetyczne, sztywne, funkcjonalne i możliwie proste materiałowo.
Important legal disclaimer
Samo oznaczenie PAP 21 nie oznacza jeszcze, że każde opakowanie automatycznie jest „w pełni ekologiczne" albo zawsze tak samo łatwe w recyklingu. Znaczenie ma cała konstrukcja: powłoki, kleje, nadruk, okienka, wkładki i inne dodatki.
Safe communication:
“We use packaging marked PAP 21, based on solid board, which aligns well with the EU's design-for-recycling direction.”
Communication to avoid:
“PAP 21 guarantees full eco-friendliness and full compliance with every EU requirement.”
What is changing in EU law
EU packaging regulations are becoming more detailed. The direction is clear:
- greater emphasis on recyclability,
- more organised material labelling,
- stronger link between packaging design and producer responsibility,
- greater pressure to reduce unnecessary weight and material complexity.
System for identifying packaging materials, including PAP 20, PAP 21 and PAP 22.
Requirements on limiting packaging weight and volume, and recycling targets for packaging materials.
New framework for packaging and packaging waste, with emphasis on recyclability, labelling and design quality.
Frequently asked questions
Related codes and topics
PAP 20 — corrugated board
Outer and transport packaging, flute structure, recycling.
PAP 22 — paper
Bags, wraps, interleaves and grease-proof inserts.
Recycling symbols
All material codes and scheme marks in a single table.
The recycling symbol — Mobius loop
Variants of the mark and what the Mobius loop does not mean.
PPWR and packaging traceability
What the regulation changes from August 2026.
Ecology in practice
The materials, coatings and constructions we use.
Looking for packaging made from PAP 21 board?
We design and manufacture packaging for confectioneries, bakeries and food service, combining product protection, retail aesthetics and an approach aligned with current EU regulatory direction.