The second one was organization. The two companies are similar in many respects, but they were also very different — and the main difference was organization. WestRock was going very much into a centralization direction, with lots of responsibilities taking away from the operations — whether it's HR, finance, legal, commercial, you name it. And even production, in some cases, had people in the plants that became an administrator of the assets, if you will. The Smurfit Kappa angle was always to try and make ...

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles is expected to fundamentally transform the textile and fashion industry in the coming years, with a focus on sustainability and responsibility among manufacturers [1][3]. Group 1: Central Demands for Future Model - The associations have outlined six central demands for a future model that aligns with the EU Waste Framework Directive, emphasizing ecological effectiveness, resource conservation, and practical take-back structures by 2028 [3]. - Manufacturers will be responsible for the costs associated with the collection, sorting, and recycling of textiles placed on the market in the EU, along with providing accurate data on the quantities of textiles they introduce [4]. Group 2: Implementation and Legislative Focus - The implementation of EPR in Germany should occur in close collaboration with the industry, with legislators focusing on establishing minimum requirements [5]. - Consistent market surveillance is deemed essential, particularly concerning third countries, and sanction mechanisms should also apply to foreign retailers and online marketplaces to ensure a level playing field [5]. Group 3: Additional Requirements - The associations advocate for collection quotas, ecological product requirements, and a Europe-wide uniform ecomodulation that minimizes bureaucracy [6]. - There is a call for fair financing distribution for consumer communication campaigns, which should involve all stakeholders and be supported by political measures, alongside mandatory transparency in the use of license fees [6]. Group 4: Participating Associations - The six associations involved in this initiative include the German Retail Association (HDE), German Textile and Fashion Industry Association (textil+mode), BTE Federal Association of the German Textile, Shoe and Leather Goods Retailers, Federal Association of the German Sporting Goods Industry (BSI), German Fashion Association, and the Federal Association of E-Commerce and E-Commerce Versandhandel Deutschland e.V. (bevh) [7].