BillerudKorsnäs addresses environmental knowledge gap with digital LCA packaging tool

28 May 2020 --- BillerudKorsnäs has launched a digital Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool that evaluates the environmental impact of different packaging solutions. The Swedish pulp and paper manufacturer suggests that many brands and retailers could reduce the climate impact of their packaging by up to 50 percent and avoid thousands of tons of carbon dioxide emissions by conducting LCAs. The recently introduced digital tool contains an extensive database of different packaging materials, including data from BillerudKorsnäs’ production.

LCA is a technique used to assess the environmental impact associated with all the stages of a product's life, from the extraction of raw materials through to processing, manufacturing, transportation and end-of-life treatment. Traditionally, performing one single life cycle assessment could take months of work due to the large amount of data that needs to be collected from the value chain.

By selecting a number of packaging parameters, such as material, size, production location, transport and disposal method, BillerudKorsnäs’ digital assessment tool identifies the total life cycle impact for carbon dioxide emissions and water consumption.

At BillerudKorsnäs, the tool is mainly used to improve supply chain efficiency and environmental performance for customers with production in Asia. Customers can then use the information in their environmental communication and sustainability reporting.BillerudKorsnäs uses the LCA tool on all projects within its Business Unit Managed Packaging.

Small changes, big results
The digital tool assesses several packaging materials, including recycled and primary-based paper produced in different parts of the world, with different laminations and coatings. Also, other fiber-based materials and different types of plastics are included.

“There is a knowledge gap on the market,” according to Johan Tegell, Business Development Director at BillerudKorsnäs. “Companies don’t realize how much they can reduce their carbon and freshwater footprint from packaging. It’s about optimizing the packaging to the supply chain and choosing suitable raw materials.”

“Normally, just small adjustments are needed to get great environmental savings. This was the reason why we introduced a life cycle assessment tool, to provide our customers with environmental insights about their packaging. Most customers are surprised when they see the results and realize the potential savings.”

“Also, some of our customers have a strong belief in specific materials or packaging designs, and challenging these can reduce the environmental impact. If the environmental impact of a packaging type made of specific material performs better from an environmental standpoint, the tool will tell,” Tegell tells PackagingInsights.

Apparel first out the blocks
The apparel company LPP, with over 1,700 stores across the world, was one of the pioneers of the new LCA tool together with BillerudKorsnäs.

BillerudKorsnäs’ paper Xpression E-com bags reduce fossil emissions by a reported 50 percent, developed using the LCA tool.“Sustainability is the most important topic in today’s world and we at LPP are very serious about taking care of the future. The cooperation with BillerudKorsnäs and the use of the LCA tool enabled LPP not only to understand but to practically reduce the emission of CO2. The implementation of BillerudKorsnäs’ packaging solutions supported LPP’s internal CO2 goals,” notes Monika Kotwicka, Manager Purchasing Processes at LPP.

During the year, BillerudKorsnäs will further develop the tool to include more data points on different materials. The tool is third party reviewed and used on all projects within the Business Unit Managed Packaging.

In a notable example, bags made of BillerudKorsnäs’ paper Xpression E-com can reduce fossil emissions by a reported 50 percent compared to virgin plastic, and lead to a net removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The environmental gains were achieved through a LCA study that compared the environmental impact of different types of online retail packaging.

By Joshua Poole