EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Carton & Board Striving to reach sustainable goals
Neil Skelton, of paper and board supplier, Chapelton, talks about the importance of sustainability, how his company operates in accordance with industry guidelines, and how it also strives to stand out from the crowd in this rapidly growing market
Kent-based Chapelton is a leading UK-based paper and board supplier that works with
a number of the leading European and international mills, ensuring the best product range and service is provided for its customers. The company is split equally between providing paper and board to its customers, and prides itself on offering an array of choices for its client’s requirements. The majority of paper that it supplies is sold and distributed for use in the commercial print market, whilst the board goes into various end-use sectors including food, pharma, media and cosmetic packaging. As a leading paper and board supplier and distributor, Chapelton acknowledges the importance of its environmental impact as a business, and as such is both PEFC and FSC accredited, as well as adhering to the EUTR requirements. Although the accreditations are an important part of the business, Chapelton’s business development director, Neil Skelton, states that the day-to- day management of these accreditations also requires a certain degree of organisation and specialist knowledge, which its staff are all equipped with. Whilst acknowledging the importance of the accreditation systems, he says: “The European paper industry is extremely sustainable; paper is the most recycled material in the world with recovery rates of 60-72 per cent across Europe and the USA, a factor which for those outside of our sector is often ignored or not known.” Much of the demand to use accredited
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and sustainably sourced materials comes from large brand owners and retailers. Sustainability is now the expected norm as opposed to a USP, and most of Chapelton’s customers have one, if not both, of the main accreditation schemes in place. Skelton adds: “The schemes are obviously beneficial as European forests have continually grown over the last 20 years, and with the environment and sustainability high on the agenda for our paper and board suppliers, they will continue to grow and flourish.”
Sourcing the best materials Chapelton has a number of key suppliers, all of whom share its view on their own environmental impact and sustainability. These include internationally renowned suppliers and such well-known names as Smurfit Kappa, International Paper, Plastiroll and Perlen Papier, to name but a few. In aiming to target niche and specialist markets and sectors, Chapelton has always sought to work with mills that produce either compostable or biodegradable
materials, as these adhere to the company’s environmental agenda, as well as also providing them with a significant advantage over its competitors when it comes to product choice and offerings. Chapelton is also at the forefront of water- based barrier coatings for paper and board products, and has been for some 20 years, another unique element that adds to its business profile. Water-based barrier coatings are far better from both an environmental and sustainable perspective as they can be recycled as a mono-material. However, Chapelton also provides some materials that include plastic coatings, as certain end-users require the properties that are provided by using plastic as a material. Although, where possible, the company will seek to reduce the impact of these materials by offering a ‘green’ alternative or sustainable option whenever it can.
Remaining eco-friendly Whilst sourcing its materials from all over the globe, as an environmentally conscious company, Chapelton seeks to monitor its carbon footprint at all times, and will endeavour to use the greenest transportation methods to obtain materials and bring them into the UK for sale and distribution. Having celebrated 30 years as a business only last year, Chapelton continues to grow, and strives to seek new markets and products to enter into and add to its business. With a team of specialist staff, equipped with many years of knowledge and experience in the paper and board sectors, it is not difficult to see why its supplier and customer base have both grown, and continue to do so, as it seeks to gain that competitive edge over its rivals. Skelton concludes: “Having celebrated 30 years as a business, our aim is to be here for another 30 years and beyond, so where possible we will seek to go that extra mile, to source or obtain a product. We pride ourselves on our service and experience, and I think the fact that we have been around this long speaks volumes for our reputation as a quality supplier.”
T: +44 (0)1622 882280
www.chapeltonboard.com
February 2016 27
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