Sustainable Converting
Putting plant-based materials front and centre
By Tetra Pak Europe & Central Asia, head of sustainability transformation, Gilles Tisserand
L
ast year, even in the midst of the COVID- 19 pandemic, the impact of climate change still hit hard. As global restrictions temporarily eased last summer, greenhouse gas emissions rose to within 5% of the previous year, despite initial reductions, and we had the joint highest global temperatures on record. Not only that, but we continue to face a growing global population predicted to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.
High-performance packaging plays an increasingly critical role in today’s global food delivery system, especially as halving food waste would set emissions within the Paris Agreement’s 2°C global temperature increase limit. But today, packaging can also cause problems for the planet, in particular plastic – with CO2 emissions from material production, depletion of finite resources, waste and litter.
We must act now. Consumer demand is leading the way and, according to Tetra Pak’s latest Index, 70% now identify plant-based packages as the most relevant packaging option to them. But there is a disconnect within the value chain. By the end of 2020, the share of plant-based and biodegradable plastics was thought to be only 2.5% of global fossil-based plastics production. We know lower climate impact materials from renewable sources are a more sustainable option. Now, we must encourage and support stakeholders across the value chain to embrace plant-based materials – and urgently increase the adoption rate.
STRIVING FOR INNOVATION Consumers are seeking a balance between food safety, health and environmental sustainability when it comes to packaging, with the environment a leading consideration in the Tetra Pak Index Report 2020. With a third of food lost or wasted each year, there is an increased need for low carbon packaging to protect and keep food nutritious, safe and accessible. If we are to make any considerable steps towards a lower carbon future, we
need a closed loop, circular economy that encourages the use of sustainably sourced plant-based materials and scrutinises the entire lifecycle of the carton – from start to finish. Consumers need access to sustainably produced packages that will retain the longevity of food, while in turn reducing carbon emissions. Our Tetra Rex Plant-based carton is the world’s first and still only fully- renewable beverage carton, suitable for even dairy produce.
That’s why innovative use of materials is vital to meet demand. Tetra Pak has been engaged with plant-based polymers since 2015 and became the first food and beverage packaging company to start using RSB Advanced Products-certified recycled polymers, this year. Petrochemical giant, Braskem, also started using sugar cane to make polyethylene with a lower carbon footprint.
Developing inventive product design also plays a key role in reducing the packaging industry’s carbon impact in our sector and beyond. Experimenting with plant-based sources and exploring carton packages’ design can reduce their weight, save space while using more environmentally responsible materials and lower carbon impact: Tetra Pak’s Craft packaging material is an example of this, giving a ‘natural’ look while reducing a carton’s weight by 5%.
DRIVING ACTION AND TRUST THROUGH COLLABORATION We have a big task ahead of us and, while positive changes are being made, the challenge facing us cannot be fully addressed if companies work in silo. To accelerate and consolidate the use of plant- based materials across the supply chain demands collaboration.
In response, collaborative innovation models will be a significant method to address change. We recently announced a partnership with leading paperboard companies, Stora Enso, Klabin and Billerud Korsnäs, to solve some of our industry’s greatest challenges, including improving the recyclability of packages and removing thin polymer and aluminium layers in carton packaging. In addition, external certification programmes, like from the Forest Stewardship Council and Bonsucro, ensure traceability and build trust across the value chain. The Carbon Trust has certified that our Tetra Rex Plant-based carton is carbon neutral. Such certifications verify sustainability claims and help consumers make better choices by showing a product’s provenance and its impact on the planet.
NEXT STEPS
The climate crisis has kick-started change amongst consumers and businesses alike. Teamed with a growing population and demand for food, the challenge ahead is significant but, to make tangible headway, we must continue to invest in innovative and collaborative solutions and review the resources we use. Fossil-based sources cannot be our go-to material. Adopting lower climate impact materials is the only responsible way forward – and urgently.
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tetrapak.com
convertermag.com
April 2021
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