Cepi, the European association representing the paper industry, announced a new alliance called 4evergreen. The aim of the alliance is to boost the contribution of fibre-based packaging in a circular and sustainable economy that minimises climate and environmental impact.
The alliance will increase awareness about the benefits of fibre-based packaging materials, advocate for EU legislation supporting product design for recyclability and call for the development of optimised collection systems and appropriate recycling infrastructures.The rise of environmental awareness and consumer concerns, as well as the increase of packaging focused regulation, such as the Single Use Plastics Directive, have helped companies to accelerate the development of alternative packaging materials including fibre-based packaging with a view to helping consumers make more climate-friendly choices.4evergreen was created as a forum to engage and connect industry members from across the fibre-based packaging value chain, from paper and board producers to packaging converters, brand-owners and retailers, technology and material suppliers, waste sorters and collectors.
“Fibre-based packaging can be a game-changer for material substitution”, says Eija Hietavuo, Chairwoman of 4evergreen and Senior Vice President Sustainability Stora Enso Consumer Board. “Our common goal is to deliver a holistic approach to optimise the sustainability and circularity of the fibre-based packaging’s life cycle.”
”Kotkamills launched the Game Changer concept for fully recyclable water-based dispersion Barrier Boards nearly two years ago. Recycling as a value-creating end of life for board products is among our main focuses. Collaboration in 4evergreen alliance provides the way to easy and increasing recycling of paperboard products”, states Saila Kettunen, Business Unit Director, Barrier Boards of Kotkamills.
“The time to act is now!” says Jori Ringman, Director General at Cepi. “Our industry already has a strong track record in environmental performance and recycling, but our ambition is higher. We are driving a system-wide shift to transition to the next level of circularity and climate resilience. 4evergreen will be the place for the whole industry value chain to co-create and collaborate for a change.”
The first 4evergreen alliance members include Nestlé, Danone, Stora Enso, Smurfit Kappa, Sappi, Metsä Board, UPM, Mayr-Melnhof Group, Reno de Medici, Kotkamills, Ahlstrom Munksjö, International Paper, BillerudKorsnäs, Huhtamäki, SEDA, SIG Combibloc, Tetra Pak, Elopak, Walki, Schur Group, Cardbox Packaging, Firstan Ltd., Westrock, Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co. KG, Graphic Packaging International, AR Packaging, MARS, Baumer hhs GmbH, Van Genechten Packaging Group.
The alliance is welcoming more organisations to join the collaboration. For more information on Kotkamills’ contribution on 4evergreen, please contact Saila Kettunen, Business Unit Director, Barrier Boards, saila.kettunen(at)kotkamills.com.
About Cepi
Cepi is the pan-European association representing the forest fibre and paper industry. Through its 18 national associations Cepi gathers 495 companies operating more than 900 pulp and paper mills across Europe producing paper, cardboard, pulp and other bio-based products. Cepi represents 22% of world production, €82 billion of annual turnover to the European economy and directly employs more than 177,000 people. From forest fibre technology to advance paper design the industry currently invests 5.5 billion annually and is a leader of the low carbon circular bioeconomy transition. Cepi’s 2050 ‘Investment Roadmap’ outlines the industry’s vision to advance this transformation in Europe through value creation and decarbonisation.
About Kotkamills
Kotkamills is a responsible partner that delivers renewable products and performance to its customers’ processes via product innovations created from wood, a renewable raw material. Our product range includes fully recyclable consumer board products AEGLE® and ISLA®, and one of the key brands of the company is Absorbex®, an innovative laminating paper product for the laminate, plywood and construction industries. Moreover, Kotkamills offers ecological, technically sound and visually attractive wood products for demanding joinery and construction.
Source
Kotkamills, press release, 2019-11-20.
Supplier
AR Packaging Group AB
BillerudKorsnäs
Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI)
Danone S.A.
Elopak
Huhtamaki Group
International Paper
Kotkamills
Mars
Metsä Board
Nestle
Sappi Fine Paper Europe
Smurfit Kappa Group
Stora Enso
Tetra Pak International S.A.
UPM Corporation
Van Genechten Packaging
Walki Group
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