Berry invests $70M in climate-friendly films, aligns GHG reductions with UN Paris Agreement

26 Apr 2021 --- Berry Global (Berry) is investing more than US$70 million to support continued growth in consumer packaging films, primarily for e-commerce, food and beverage applications. 

The investment targets new multilayer blown film lines, infrastructure upgrades and other equipment that will come online in 2021 and 2022, across multiple sites in the North American manufacturing system.

Beyond the traditional infrastructure upgrade, the film lines will support the anticipated increased customer demand for recycled content.

The investment comes as the Fortune 500 plastic packaging manufacturer announces Science-Based Targets, reinforcing its commitment to a circular economy aligned with the worldwide goal of a net-zero economy by 2050.

Berry has committed to reduce absolute operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 25 percent and supply chain emissions (Scope 3) by 8 percent by 2025 from a 2019 base year, in line with the UN Paris Agreement targets.

Circularity investments
Berry says it is committed to remaining at the forefront of the innovation necessary to meet customers’ sustainability goals through its investments in the latest equipment technologies, advantaged film development and circularity design.

The company regards line flexibility as a critical investment strategy to ensure ongoing material science developments apply to customer specifications, ranging from recycled content in its films to PHA resins supporting bio-resin use.

Many of Berry’s customers have publicly stated sustainability goals, many of which specify the increased use of recycled or recyclable materials.

This investment will further enhance Berry’s portfolio of fully recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable films to support its customer’s needs.

Also, the company will incorporate renewably sourced raw materials into its products, specifically shrink film and other flexible films.

“These investments are strategically focused on expanding our advantaged product portfolio to help our customers meet their sustainability goals, while concurrently driving innovation in anticipation of future sustainability needs in the flexible packaging market,” reiterates Jerry Lamarre, EVP and general manager for engineered products at Berry’s Engineered Materials division.

Berry Global has committed to reduce absolute operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 25% and supply chain emissions (Scope 3) by 8% by 2025 from a 2019 base year, in line with UN Paris Agreement targets.

Climate change action
Berry’s commitment to reduce Scope 1 and 2 operational emissions by 25 percent and Scope 3 supply chain emissions by 8 percent by 2025 from a 2019 baseline makes it the first North American-headquartered plastic packaging converter to have a 1.5 degree Celsius target validated by the Science-Based Target Initiative.

“Advancing the global vision of a net-zero economy means we have to manage our own operations effectively while simultaneously bringing innovative solutions to the market,” notes Tom Salmon, Berry’s chairman and CEO.

“Beyond addressing emissions in our operations and our supply chain, we remain focused on helping our customers meet their sustainability goals through plastic products that have a lower carbon footprint than alternative substrates.”

“This achievement would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of all Berry employees.”

Berry has made investments against its corporate-wide environmental sustainability goals as part of its Impact 2025 strategy, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals.

Greenhouse gas reductions
The company has reduced its market-based GHG emissions intensity by 19 percent. It is also reportedly on track to achieve a 25 percent reduction in emissions intensity from a 2016 baseline.

“This is an important milestone in our decarbonization journey, equipping Berry for the transition to a net-zero economy,” says Robert Flores, Berry’s VP for sustainability.

“We’re embracing the challenge ahead by decreasing energy demand and purchasing clean energy, enhancing the sustainability of our products, and prioritizing environmentally conscious partnerships and infrastructure.”

Innova Market Insights identified “The Carbon Catalyst” as its second top trend for 2021, detailing the increasing relevance of packaging’s carbon footprint as the key indicator of environmental sustainability amid increasingly stark climate change warnings.

By Joshua Poole

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