Manufacturing
in 2023 by Amcor – which develops and produces responsible packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal-care, and other products – shows sustainability is very much on the minds of consumers. The data reveals a 16% increase over the three years in the number of people who rated climate change as their top environmental concern. Nevertheless, rising inflation means affordability remains a hurdle for many shoppers who want to shop sustainably.
Amcor’s range of paper-based packaging products are ready to be recycled.
“Both consumers and food and beverage businesses across the UK and Ireland are currently facing increased economic uncertainty, with numerous factors influencing decision making – both in the boardroom and on the shop floor,” says Alex Henriksen, managing director north Europe at Tetra Pak. “Within this context, we must ensure that the decarbonisation of our food system continues to be prioritised, and that industry and government are working together to facilitate a shift towards a circular economy.”
93%
The percentage of food and beverage managers, directors and business
owners who prioritise other issues over sustainability as a result of the current socio- economic climate.
36% Tetra Pak 80
The percentage of senior management in food and beverage who consider the pursuit of sustainable packaging as important.
Measuring the mood of the market For Tetra Pak, it is crucial to work alongside customers to ensure it plays a part in building a sustainable future. The survey was part of its attempt to ensure the industry has up-to-date insights on how consumers and businesses feel about the topic of sustainability. “Businesses report that the top hurdles preventing a full focus on sustainability include supply chain challenges and disruption, rising fuel and operational costs and the high investment in supporting technologies required to meet environmental goals,” Henriksen explains. Indeed, some of the biggest costs of switching to new packaging stem from the necessary changes or investments needed to modify existing packaging machines. This means packaging that has been specifically developed to run on customers’ existing lines with limited or no modification could be a key way to minimise costs and disruption. “Because of this changing socio-economic climate, most of the polled organisations said they will need to prioritise issues other than sustainability, even though it is clear that this is not a path they want to take,” adds Henriksen. “Nevertheless, the appetite is clearly there for sustainability efforts, and we are confident that once organisations have adjusted to these changes, sustainability will once again be top priority.” Recent surveys of grocery shoppers from six European countries conducted in 2020 and again
“The current macroeconomic environment, combined with recent supply chain issues, has certainly caused many brands and their consumers to re-evaluate their priorities,” says Cassandra Biehler, who leads communications for Amcor Flexible business in EMEA. “Still, concern about climate change remains high among European consumers.” “Most of our customers see improved packaging sustainability as a mission they’re on for the long- term,” she adds. “So, while current, short-term challenges may slow down some innovation projects, sustainability is not something they are setting aside, they remain committed to progress.”
Packaging is the key ingredient In the food industry’s pursuit of sustainability, packaging plays a huge part. In fact, the packaging industry must play a leading role in the pursuit of a more sustainable food system, as plastic packaging accounts for nearly 70% of waste in the UK, according to climate action NGO WRAP. There is, of course, a delicate balance to be reached between sustainability and food security. Food manufacturers need high-performance packaging that can deliver safe and nutritious food, which does not negatively impact the world’s limited resources.
“They must consider the carbon footprint of their products as part of the journey towards a circular economy – taking into account its full life cycle and including its packaging,” Henriksen says. “This involves carefully considering how the materials used in packaging are sourced, through to how consumers engage with the product and the recycling systems they are part of.” Commitment and innovation among packaging companies is driven by a need to satisfy consumers’ growing demands for sustainability. Tetra Pak’s research shows consumers are well informed and passionate about sustainability, preferring to buy from companies that are reducing carbon emissions. As a result, packaging companies continue to push the agenda through innovation. In 2023, Tetra Pak created a cap for beverage cartons using certified recycled polymers, and it is currently
Ingredients Insight /
www.ingredients-insight.com
Amcor
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