Polarbröd changes to bio-based packaging

Largest Swedish bread producer to use Braskem's I'm green PE, reducing carbon footprint

Polarbröd, Sweden’s third largest bakery has taken the decision to convert all of its flexible film requirements from fossil based Polyethylene to Braskem’s bio based I’m greenTM Polyethylene. In addition to the perfect fit between packaging and product, the use of I’m greenTM by Polarbröd emphasizes the drive within the company to be more sustainable by moving to a renewable, bio-based polyethylene. Polarbröd will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its packaging when compared to fossil alternatives and as a result reduce its dependence on fossil resources.

Being a renewable feedstock, sugarcane captures and sequestrates CO2 from the atmosphere during every growth cycle, which occurs annually. This means that the production of I’m greenTM Polyethylene contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions certainly when compared to conventional polyethylene, made from fossil materials. As a result the carbon footprint of I’m greenT Polyethylene is negative, when considering a “cradle to gate analysis”. For every kg of I’m greenTM Polyethylene used in the Polarbröd packaging more than 4.5 kg of CO2 is saved.

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“Braskem is really excited to have Polarbröd as a partner and to see their commitment to sustainability by introducing green PE into their full product range, a scale not yet seen in bakeries anywhere in the world,” says Marco Jansen, Commercial Director Renewable Chemicals Europe & North America.

“We have made the decision to use this packaging for our entire range, and although the current consequence of this is a higher cost we have come to the conclusion that it is the best choice,” says Johan Granberg, Purchase and Logistics Manager Polarbröd.

 

About Polarbröd

Polarbröd is Sweden’s third largest bread producer. It is a family-owned and operated company with roots in the baking culture of Northern Sweden that go back to the 1880s.The company is market leader in traditional flatbreads and soft and crisp thin breads. In 2015, Polarbröd baked 38,000 tons of bread at its three bakeries in Älvsbyn, Omne and Bredbyn, Sweden. The company employs 350 people. Total sales for 2015 were SEK 791 million. Polarbröd’s markets include grocery retail, food service and industry. The company’s largest market is Swedish grocery retail.

Polarbröd exports to several countries in Europe. Norway and France are the company’s most important foreign markets. Today, Polarbröd’s majority owners are sisters Anna Borgeryd and Karin Bodin, who are part of the family’s fifth generation of bakers. Polarbröd’s vision is to offer customers delicious and healthy food now and for generations to come. Sustainability is a central part of this, and Polarbröd has ambitious sustainability goals in four critical areas:

1. Energy
Produce and supply renewable energy it to the electricity grid in a quantity equal to the amount of electricity Polarbröd uses. The corporation will be self-sufficient in renewable energy by 2022.

2. Transports
Reduce CO2 emissions from long-distance transports by 83% and from local transports by 63% using a basket of measures including more transports by rail and biofuels. Transports will be 100% fossil-free by 2022.

3. Ingredients
Our focus areas are energy, fertilizer, plant protection, soil quality and water. Working with suppliers and growers, 100% of Polarbröd’s ingredients will be sustainable by 2022.

4. Packaging
100% fossil-free or recycled by 2022.

About Braskem

Braskem is the largest thermoplastic resins producer in the Americas, with annual production volume of over 20 million tons, which includes other chemical products and basic petrochemicals, with annual revenue of R$54 billion. Driven by its purpose of improving people’s lives and creating sustainable solutions in chemicals and plastics, Braskem is present in more than 70 countries, has around 8,000 team members and operates 40 industrial units in Brazil, the United States, Germany and Mexico, the latter in partnership with the Mexican company Idesa.

 

Contact

Brendan Hill
Sales Renewable Chemicals
Braskem Europe GmbH
Email: brendan.hill@braskem.com

Source

Braskem, press release, 2016-10-19.

Supplier

Braskem
Polarbröd

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