Sustainable from the start – the material sets the tone

By: Trademagazin editor Date: 2023. 09. 07. 11:51

How could a product be sustainable if the packaging isn’t? It is key to act with foresight as early as possible in the planning stage, in order to find a sustainable way from the producer through the brand owner and retailer to the consumer.

Anne Uusitalo
director of product safety & sustainability
Metsä Board

As the packaging manufacturer is at the beginning of the value chain, Metsä Board wants to contribute to this process – with intensive and transparent communication.

Sustainable planning and raw material for an environmental result

Sustainable planning works best when all parties involved sit down at the same table. Metsä Board opened its Excellence Center in Äänekoski a few years ago, where our R&D team, a packaging design studio, the customer feedback centre and a state-of-the-art laboratory are located, and we host co-creation workshops. The raw material for Metsä Board’s fresh fibre paperboards comes from sustainably managed Nordic forests.

Investing in sustainable production, benefitting from innovative solutions

By the end of 2030, Metsä Board has set a goal to manufacture all products completely free of fossil energy. For instance our mill in Äänekoski is already producing completely fossil-free. Innovative solutions can offer many benefits: Metsä Board’s lightweight paperboards save not only on raw material, but also on energy and water in production, as well as CO2 in transport, while keeping their stability.

Good recyclability closes the loop

At the end of the supply chain there is disposal, and recycling is the target for sustainable packaging. Fresh fibre can be recycled with high eco-efficiency. As it is both renewable and recyclable, fresh fibre is the ideal choice for new packaging solutions and relaunches – and for closing the loop. (x)