Special edition: Sustainable packaging

Smurfit Kappa on board with sustainable packaging

By Jenni Spinner

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Smurfit kappa Carbon dioxide

Smurfit Kappa reports exceeding several 2020 sustainable packaging goals, which the company says is good news for Kellogg's and other food clients.
Smurfit Kappa reports exceeding several 2020 sustainable packaging goals, which the company says is good news for Kellogg's and other food clients.
The packaging giant, specializing in board and other paper-based materials, has announced it is ahead of the game for 2020 sustainability goals but has raised the bar in several areas.

Smurfit Kappa reported it has surpassed its carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reductions goal for 2020, six years early, and hit its 2015 Chain of Custody target one year ahead of schedule.

Now that the paper-based packaging producer has met its reduction goals, it has raised its sustainability bar higher in a number of areas.

Achievement unlocked

Gary McGann, Smurfit Kappa’s group CEO, told FoodProductionDaily the company’s achievements in increasing its materials’ and operational sustainability is a boon for its clients in food, beverage, and other fields.

“Our vision is to assist our customers to succeed in their markets by ensuring the sustainability of our paper packaging solutions and by delivering innovative solutions for them that both drive their business growth and deliver against their own sustainability agendas​,” he said. “Having successfully met two key targets on Carbon Emissions and Chain of Custody certification well ahead of schedule, we are now intensifying our commitment to tackle climate change​.

McGann added the company believes increasing the sustainability of its packaging products and business operations is a benefit to businesses, as well as the planet.

We believe that sustainability is not only the right thing to do, but a key driver of business success for both our customers and for Smurfit Kappa, now and into the future​,” he said.

Sustainability report

Smurfit Kappa’s achievements and renewed sustainability commitments are outlined in the recently released Sustainable Development Report. According to the document, the 21% reduction in CO2 emissions has led to CO2 emission reduction of 929,000 metric tons since 2005, through energy reduction investment, efficiency initiatives, and operational efficiency improvements.

Additionally, Smurfit Kappa reports approximately 90% of all packaging produced in its European facilities are Chain of Custody-eligible under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) or the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI). The company reportedly anticipates all of its relevant operations in the Americas will hit Chain of Custody certified status by the end of 2014, following the certification of its Venezuelan operations.

The renewed sustainability commitments are part of Smurfit Kappa’s new global brand initiative, Open the Future. The drive is designed to demonstrate the packaging company’s focus on customer growth and service.

Added to this year’s report: goals in areas the company to date has not set targets, including Health and Safety, Community Involvement, Waste Elimination, and Sustainable Sourcing. These join the previously addressed CO2, Chain of Custody, and Water targets. 

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