huge MSPs have some very clear advantages. However, they are often so large that they can be hard to manage.
But what if this model could be reused or repurposed to bring together a small number of companies which, by working together, could effect real change, bringing revolutionary products into play whilst being agile, creative and incredibly effective?
Taking the initiative
The pharmaceutical industry has already done this with Alliance to Zero, an initiative that consists of eight companies, all focussed on members, the industry and the planet. Through the initiation process of agreeing
to realise that there were several areas in which they could begin to help one another. knowledge and best practice. The second was in battling the well-known arduous task of data With the whole supply chain involved, they could go to a much deeper level, utilising more primary data than any individual company could have done on its own, and the third was something that only really started to emerge and blossom over the years – an opportunity to collaborate in the creation of new products and solutions that would solve some of the most members, but the sector as a whole. While undertaking a deep dive into the product carbon footprint for a key product, the primary data from each company in the supply chain started to reveal where carbon hotspots were occurring and, more importantly, that there was no clear way to decarbonise the products without applying circularity principles. The closer they looked, the more challenges they discovered. So, they enlisted help, by sponsoring graduate projects with universities and appointing specialist external advisors. They formed working groups within the Alliance to focus on solving different aspects of their ultimate mission – As time progressed, they began publishing
papers, presenting at conferences and rapidly became a trusted voice in the industry. They were also able to check back against their original decarbonisation goals and see tangible results. But perhaps the most unique and intriguing output was what they could create together which could not be achieved when operating in isolation.
KennedysConfection.com
Identifying issues
One of the waste issues that the members of which need to be tamper-resistant and protect against theft and improper use. The pre-moulded packaging is non-recyclable, considerably larger than the product which they contain and so produces large amounts of waste daily. could identify a better solution that would maintain the necessary features while reducing the waste as much as possible. One company redesigned the syringe with a cap of the exact same diameter as the body of the syringe. Another redesigned a label that covered the cap
•
manufacture are completely removed from the process (80% less plastic is needed, saving 34 tonnes of plastic for
• The supply chain is inherently shorter and less complex, reducing the risk and exposure for all involved.
• The streamlined packaging massively reduces shipping requirements (saving approximately £77k, 16 containers and
While this is a pharmaceutical-focussed case study,
the model, approach and
a big leap to see how maintaining a sterile environment with tamper-evident seals has parallels with ensuring the integrity of confectionery products during transit or ageing on retailer shelves.
A huge advantage of a model like this is that it encourages close collaboration between companies. They are able to be the problems and challenges which they each face, while being able to come up allows them to create new products, while simultaneously delivering sustainability
By working together it is possible
to achieve results far beyond the reach of a single company, or even
with a tamper-evident reveal. A third redesigned the box from single material, sustainable assembly. chain and for carbon and waste savings, are impressive. Even though individually these are small devices in one part of the pharmaceutical industry, their ubiquity and combined volume means that by adopting this new device, an entire industry could be positively disrupted.
Another advantage is the ability to pool resources for better outcomes. As a membership organisation, each company contributes an annual subscription fee, which can be leveraged to invest in specialist advisors and university partnerships. They then come together in person to exchange knowledge, update each other on the projects they are working on, and continue to build their relationships,
delivering
In addition, Alliance to Zero has rapidly become a trusted voice in the industry, by publishing papers,
presenting and
offering workshops to others at various member companies but also helps them to by having a stake in the conversation. Most importantly though, they can greatly expand on decarbonisation and waste reduction efforts. By working together, it is possible to achieve results far beyond the reach of chain. Is now the time for the confectionery industry to take a similar approach to reap
Kennedy’s Confection June 2025 41
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