Towards circular packaging
In the fourth part of our Unpacking Sustainability series, we examine the dynamics of creating packaging linked to 100% plant-based renewable material – and what this means in the context of a circular economy.
Being sustainable is a complex journey that involves taking a hard look at one’s processes and taking concrete steps to make small changes that eventually add up to make a difference. Taking the first step and moving forward with actionable initiatives is as important as achieving one’s sustainability goals, which can continue to evolve.
Often, consumers and brands find themselves at a crossroad when it comes to choosing packaging that meets both their demands for sustainability and convenience. Even when sustainability claims are backed by reputable certifications, the mechanics behind these claims can be hard to decipher.
Innovation for sustainability
An aseptic carton pack is typically made of paperboard, aluminium and plastic. But SIG continues to challenge this norm to minimize environmental impact: removing aluminium from its aseptic structures, and creating the world’s first aseptic pack 100% linked to plant-based renewable material.
It is a given that plastic is still required to laminate the paperboard in an aseptic carton. However, plastic can now also be created using plant-based materials such as sugarcane or tall-oil. Innovative use of these raw materials has made bioplastics a viable option. AT SIG, we use tall oil – a residue extracted from wood in the paper making process – as the forest-based feedstock. It is a by-product from another industry rather than an agricultural crop requiring land and resources that could be used to produce food. Committed to limiting the use of finite natural resources, SIG’s choice of raw material contributes to a circular economy.
The catch
Using 100% bio-based materials for all packaging formats would be an ideal scenario. But we are not there yet. Most players in the packaging industry, including SIG, still use fossil-based plastics. There are two ways that plant-based packs can be created: one of them is to have different production systems where bio-based materials and fossil-based materials are used separately. However, this can be a costly, cumbersome and somewhat counterproductive procedure due to increased carbon emissions owing to logistical issues.
A balanced process
The other method is the mass balance approach, a proven system for both sourcing sustainable ingredients and accounting for materials (or a mass) entering and leaving a production system. In a mass balance system, manufacturers mix, track and evaluate quantities of both bio-based and fossil-based raw materials. Depending on the quantity of bio-based materials used, it can be calculated as to how many carton packs can be considered fully plant-based.
One of the major advantages of the mass balance approach is the possibility of gradually increasing the quantity of bio-based raw materials used in the production process, with the ultimate goal of eliminating fossil-based materials.
Certified accountability
Renowned sustainability certifications, such as ISCC PLUS, ensure that stringent standards are maintained across the supply chain and predefined rules for mass balancing are adhered to. The environmental benefits of SIGNATURE PACK have also been confirmed by a critically renowned ISO-conformant lifecycle assessment.
With SIG as a partner, a brand can combine their packaging requirements and sustainability goals. Apart from our award-winning SIGNATURE PACK, our full range of packaging solutions in varied formats and sizes offers a sustainable choice.
In the next part of this series, learn about the big impact of little things as we continue to unpack different aspects of sustainability. Get the story in your inbox by subscribing to our exclusive bi-weekly newsletter, the SIGnals Update.
- July 07, 2021