Back to the source

In part two of our World Behind the Pack series, we reveal how and where the life of a pack starts with the responsible sourcing of its materials

In part one of our World Behind the Pack series, we began our deep dive into the world of aseptic packaging and what it really takes to produce. So where does it all start? Strip a typical SIG carton pack down to its bare essentials and you’ll find three core materials – paperboard, polyethylene and aluminium. Where these materials came from and how they were produced is a story of responsible and sustainable sourcing.

Fully renewable and recyclable

In 2018, over 96% of SIG cartons featured a label from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC™). It’s a little label with a big impact. For every pack it’s on, all paperboard has come from responsibly-managed forests – forests that help store carbon, regulate the climate and provide a renewable alternative to fossil-based feedstocks. So when consumers see an FSC™-certified pack, they know the packaging in their product is helping make a positive impact.

Where possible, we aim to source paperboard – like all our raw materials – within the regions we operate. This not only supports local economies and communities but reduces environmental impacts from transporting materials over long distances. Our renewable and recyclable paperboard therefore comes from locations all over the world – from Brazil and Scandinavia to China and New Zealand.

Want to know more about FSC forests and how SIG is contributing? Watch the video with Kim Carstensen, Director General of the FSC.

Choosing the right aluminium

Most SIG packs include an ultra-thin barrier layer of aluminium foil (10 times thinner than a human hair) to protect the contents from light and oxygen, and keep products like milk or juices safe and nutritious. In 2018, we became the first in the industry – and one of the first companies in the world – to achieve certification to the new standard from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) to enhance traceability and responsibility in the aluminium supply chain.

In the past, sourcing certified aluminium wasn’t possible as there was no appropriate certification available. ASI certification now offers a way to audit the aluminium supply chain against strict ethical and environmental standards. All of which means producers and consumers can rest assured that the aluminium in their packaging not only protects the product, it’s playing a part in protecting the environment.   

Learn more about what ASI certification really means.  

Optimising our polymers

Our SIGNATURE PACK is the first aseptic carton 100% linked to plant-based materials. The polymers are linked to plant-based materials via a mass balance system and are certified with industry-leading schemes like the ISCC. For all other polymers we use, we’re working hard to ensure they’re produced responsibly by demanding extremely high standards from all our suppliers around the world.

As well as increasing plant-based polymers, we’re also reducing fossil-based polymers. Our RS packaging structure, for example, has saved more than 4,850 tonnes of polymer since it was introduced in 2018, while its predecessor saved around 130,000 tonnes of material between 2007 and 2015. It’s all part of contributing to a circular economy – minimising the amount of materials needed to create a product.  

Look out for part three in the series when we’ll explore how we innovate new carton shapes, closures, functionalities and structures.

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