Below is a practical shortlist of established food‑grade plastic packaging suppliers and recyclers active in the EU market, with a short note on each (product focus, footprint or capability) and a pointer to the food‑contact / regulatory angle you should confirm when you contact them.

Important: all food contact packaging placed on the EU market must comply with Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and related specific measures (plastics rules, GMP Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006, EFSA opinions for recycled plastics where relevant). Verify each supplier’s Declaration of Compliance (DoC) and any EFSA / national approvals for recycled content. (food.ec.europa.eu)

Recommended suppliers (Europe / servicing EU):

1. Amcor (global, strong EU presence)

• Products: flexible films, pouches, rigid containers, closures — broad food packaging range, sustainability / mono‑material solutions.
• Why consider: large R&D and EU production footprint; offers documented compliance and recyclable/monomaterial solutions. (Amcor.com)

2. Faerch (Denmark; rigid thermoformed trays)

• Products: rigid PET/PP/CPET trays and ready‑meal solutions, focus on design for recycling and high share of European factories.
• Why consider: specialist in rigid food trays with EU manufacturing sites and compliance documentation. (Faerch.com)

3. Greiner Packaging (Austria; broad food packaging)

• Products: thermoformed trays, cups, tubs, PET containers, coatings and decoration for food markets.
• Why consider: EU network, active in rPET/rPP circular projects and has EFSA assessments for recycling processes. (greiner.com)

4. Plastipak (Europe operations)

• Products: PET bottles/containers, large rPET recycling capacity in Europe (bottle‑to‑bottle/rPET suitable for food contact).
• Why consider: one of the largest European producers of food‑grade rPET and vertically integrated recycling capacity. Confirm DoC for your intended use. (Plastipak.com)

5. Schoeller Allibert (NL/Europe; RTP and pooling)

• Products: returnable transit packaging (RTP), crates, IBCs and poolable systems focused on food supply chains.
• Why consider: leader in RTP for food; has EFSA‑approved recycling process for converting used food contact containers back into food‑grade material at specified sites. Good for supply‑chain reuse models. (schoellerallibert.com)

6. Sealed Air (EMEA solutions; MAP, protective packaging)

• Products: modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) films, protective/consumer food packaging and machinery support in Europe.
• Why consider: strong technical support for MAP and barrier films used across EU food processors; verify EU food‑contact compliance paperwork. (pages.sealedair.com)

7. Plastics raw‑material & circular polymer suppliers (for custom converters)

• Examples: TotalEnergies (Antwerp advanced/chemically recycled polymers), SABIC, Borealis — these supply food‑grade or certified circular polymers used by European converters.
• Why consider: if you need food‑grade recycled / circular feedstock for your own converters, check ISCC PLUS / EFSA/food‑contact suitability and chain‑of‑custody. (packagingeurope.com)

8. European converters & co‑packers (specialist/contract manufacturers)

• Examples to look up: regional converters under brands like RPC (integrated into Berry/Amcor), smaller specialised thermoformers and injection molders in NL/DE/BE/PL (use local sourcing directories or trade shows — Empack / FachPack).
• Why consider: local converters can supply bespoke food‑grade packaging, DoC, and faster lead times for EU distribution. (See local trade events and directories for contacts). (empackmadrid.com)

What to request from any supplier (must‑have checklist)

• Declaration of Compliance (DoC) referencing Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and applicable specific measures (plastics rules / recycled plastics approvals). (food.ec.europa.eu)
• GMP compliance (Reg. 2023/2006) and any ISO certifications (e.g., ISO 22000, ISO 9001) where relevant.
• For recycled content: EFSA opinion / EU register numbers or proof of validated recycling process / ISCC PLUS or comparable chain‑of‑custody certification.
• Migration test reports and specific migration limits for the food types and temperatures you will use (hotfill, microwave, long term storage).
• Traceability and batch testing practices (critical for audits and retailer acceptance).

How I recommend you proceed (quick practical steps)

1. Shortlist 3–5 suppliers above that match your product type (rigid trays, flexible film, bottles, RTP).
2. Ask them specifically for: DoC, GMP proof, migration test summaries for your food type, and (if using r‑content) EFSA or equivalent approvals.
3. If you need local service in the Netherlands, prioritize Schoeller Allibert, Plastipak (Spain/France sites), Greiner (Austria + EU footprint) and local converters — they have nearby manufacturing and recycling sites. (schoellerallibert.com)

If you want, I can:

• Produce a tailored shortlist (with direct contact pages/links and suggested initial email text) if you tell me the exact packaging type (e.g., PET jars, thermoformed salad trays, flexible pouches) and volumes.
• Or search for smaller specialised EU converters in the Netherlands / Benelux if you prefer local manufacturing.

Would you like a focused shortlist for a specific packaging type and estimated annual volume?