BELGIUM – Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina is doubling down on its sustainability agenda by investing in a new PET line in its production facility in Aalter, Belgium.  

The line is the company’s third PET line in Belgium and was installed as part of its ‘Nourishing a better planet’ sustainability programme, presented at the end of 2020. 

The investment will enable FrieslandCampina’s milk and cream producers to switch from HDPE bottles to PET bottles made of recycled material.  

The dairy cooperative will roll out a more environmentally friendly lid or tethered cap that will remain attached to the bottle to prevent litter. 

Local brands, such as Campina, Joyvalle, Fristi, and Cécémel are produced in the facility, as are Chocomel – for the Netherlands and other markets – and the dairy brand Yazoo, destined for the UK. 

As a result of this investment, dairy brand Debic will also be added to the portfolio for Europe and Asia in future. 

FreislandCampina’s investment comes against a backdrop of increased demand for sustainable packaging by an environmentally-conscious consumer.  

A 2021 Trivium packaging report revealed that Two-thirds (67%) of consumers consider it important that the products they buy are in recyclable packaging. 

Additionally, more than half (54%) of consumers who participated in the study said that they take sustainable packaging into consideration when selecting a product. 

 Younger consumers — those 44 years and younger — are leading the charge, with 83% reporting that they are willing to pay more for it, compared to 70% of all consumers. 

With demand for sustainable packaging being on the rise, FrieslandCampina said it is ‘homing in on increased demand for sustainably packaged dairy products’ through this investment. 

Jeroen Van de Broek, managing director, FrieslandCampina Belgium and France, said, “The new line in Aalter fits in with our long-term sustainable policy throughout the chain from grass to glass: on the farm, in our production facilities and for our packaging. 

 Moreover, the investment also dovetails with our stated ambition to ensure that 100% of our packaging is recyclable or reusable by 2025.” 

FrieslandCampina made an investment in its second PET line last year, a move that made the group the first dairy producer in Belgium to introduce 100% recyclable (rPET) bottles. 

The dairy co-operative credited the move for its first ‘Packaging & Label’ award in the innovative packaging and packaging materials category. 

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