SWITZERLAND – Tetra Pak, together with its supplier Braskem, has launched the first sustainable food and beverage packaging made from plant-based polymers using the Bonsucro standards for sustainable sugar cane.
The launch forms yet another reinforcement of the company’s commitment to drive ethical and responsible business practices across global supply chains, while lowering the carbon footprint of its packaging.
“We’ve seen a growing trend of consumers wanting to do more for the planet, and they look to brands to help,” said Mario Abreu, VP Sustainability, Tetra Pak.
“Today 91% of consumers look for environmental logos when shopping, and Bonsucro Chain of Custody Certification can be used to communicate credible information to consumers, thereby helping our customers differentiate their products.
“Our plant-based polymers are fully traceable to their sugarcane origin. We see plant-based materials as playing a key role in achieving a low-carbon circular economy.
“In the future all polymers we use will either be made from plant-based materials or from post-consumption recycled food grades.”
Tetra Pak said that the plant-based polymers used in some its cartons, like their closures, are produced from sugarcane and now, plant-based polymer supplier Braskem has now reached 100% Bonsucro certified volumes of sugarcane derived bioethanol for Tetra Pak’s plant-based solutions, establishing full supply chain transparency.
Gustavo Sergi, Renewable Business Unit Leader at Braskem, said:
“We have been working with Tetra Pak for more than 10 years, and Bonsucro Chain of Custody reinforces the Responsible Ethanol Sourcing Program from Braskem with the assurance and traceability of the entire sugarcane value chain, all the way back to the growers and mills.”
The Bonsucro certified labels will be available to place on packaging from Q1 2020.
The packaging forms part of Tetra Pak’s recently launched Planet Positive initiative, which urges industry stakeholders to take a broader view of sustainability, evolving the concept of circular economy to a low-carbon circular economy.
The initiative advocates for efforts that go beyond recycling and reuse to include the carbon impact of raw materials and manufacturing.
The use of plant-based materials such as paper and polymers, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, supporting economic growth that is decoupled from fossil, finite sources.
