SIG strides toward net positive status as environmental achievements stack up

16 Apr 2020 --- Aseptic solutions provider SIG has published its Corporate Responsibility Performance Update for 2019, highlighting several key environmental sustainability achievements. Notably, the supplier introduced the world’s first Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) labeled packs and the first aseptic carton packs with all materials from certified sources – paperboard, plant-based polymers and aluminum foil. Pivotal progress has been made but 2020 presents further challenges for SIG as it works to secure its Way Beyond Good social and environmental targets before the year’s end.

“This year will be the final mile when it comes to our Way Beyond Good 2020 targets,” Michael Hecker, Director Group Environment, Health & Safety at SIG tells PackagingInsights. “Way Beyond Good, our roadmap to becoming a net positive business, includes the bold commitment to contribute more to society and the environment than we take out – across our value chain.”

“Building on our achievements, in 2020 we will focus on increasing the amount of sustainably-managed forest land beyond our own demand and further drive the reduction of our climate impact. Product innovations will allow customers and consumers to join our journey to deliver food in a safe, sustainable and affordable way,” Hecker remarks.

SIG set its Way Beyond Good goals in 2016, which includes ambitions to reduce CO2 emissions from production by 50 percent from the 2014 baseline and source 100 percent of electricity for its plants from renewables by 2020.

According to Hecker, SIG is prioritizing the following areas in 2020:

• Move toward 100 percent FSC supply;
• Increase the share of aluminum foil sourced according to ASI;
• Further substitute fossil polymers with renewable feedstock;
• Increase the collection and recycling of used cartons in all its markets;
• Cut down carbon emissions throughout its supply chain;
• Further develop its community and employee engagement programs.

In January, SIG announced a new climate target to cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 60 percent by 2030 from the 2016 baseline. The target is one of the first in the packaging industry to be approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative for meeting the latest climate science to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. SIG is also committed to reducing value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent per liter packed by 2030, also from the 2016 baseline.

Reflecting on 2019’s achievements
Last year, SIG achieved several key environmental sustainability targets and some industry-firsts. Notably, the supplier was “the first in the industry” to produce cartons with ASI-certified aluminum foil. A start-up brand from Unilever’s Future Platform – B-Better – debuted the ASI-certified cartons.

Among many achievements, SIG became the first supplier to produce cartons with ASI-certified aluminum foil in 2019.SIG also became “the first supplier” to manufacture beverage cartons made with “certified circular” recycled polymers produced from post-consumer plastic waste.

In paper straw innovation, SIG launched a U-shaped solution for use on carton packages in November 2019. The straws are available in 4 and 6 mm diameters and the straw wrappers have been redesigned to remain attached to the package. This prevents littering, and they can also be recycled with the carton pack.

The aseptic specialist engaged in new recycling partnerships around the world, including the so+ma program that is rewarding consumers in Brazil for recycling. SIG also helped turn food loss into over 9,200 school meals for underprivileged children in Bangladesh in the first year of the Cartons for Good program run by the company’s Way Beyond Good Foundation. 

Testament to its achievements, SIG was awarded a Platinum rating by EcoVadis that puts SIG in the top 1 percent of businesses for environmental sustainability.

“Our packaging has delivered food safely to billions of people all over the world. We want to help shape a sustainable food system that gets the most from what it uses and gives more than it takes,” reaffirms Rolf Stangl, CEO of SIG. “To do this, we need to go further than we’ve ever gone before. We took some more big steps forward this year [2019] and the increased uptake of our most sustainable packaging solutions shows we’re using growth as a driver for good.”SIG's engagement in the so+ma program that rewards consumers in Brazil for recycling was a 2019 highlight.

By 2030, SIG aims to acquire all of its raw materials from certified responsible sources while half of its spend will be with net positive suppliers.

COVID-19 update
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain the global economy and supply chain fluidity, SIG has moved to implement strict health control measures, while all of its plants worldwide are running as per normal, Hecker confirms.

“We believe we have a resilient supply chain able to cope with the current situation, including planned safety stocks covering raw materials as well as consumables. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our teams, we have been able to satisfy our customers. We cannot comment on possible future impacts since we do not know how long the current crisis will continue,” he tells PackagingInsights.

By Joshua Poole