SIG Combibloc achieves important sustainability goal

SIG Combibloc Inc., a global provider of food and beverage packaging with U.S. operations in Chester, Pa., said it achieved an important sustainability goal. After August, 100 percent of SIG Combibloc's carton packaging for food and beverages may be labeled with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo because the company can guarantee that sufficient quantities of wood from FSC-certified, responsibly managed forests will be used in the manufacturing of its unprocessed cardboard. Every SIG Combibloc customer around the world will be able to offer SIG carton packaging with the FSC label.

“As one of the leading manufacturers of carton packaging for foods and beverages, safeguarding the planet’s forests is a key corporate goal for us," said Rolf Stangl, CEO, SIG Combibloc. "Hand in hand with that goes our commitment to ensuring that the cardboard we use for our carton packs comes 100 percent from certified sources. We believe the FSC certification system is currently the most credible and the most widely accepted system for sustainable forest management.

"Globally, FSC-certified forests are still only available in a limited quantity," he continued. "Through our well-developed network of cardboard suppliers, all of whom have certified cardboard production plants, we’re able to ensure that we have access to sufficient quantities of FSC unprocessed cardboard. As the first manufacturer of food and beverage packaging in the world to do so, we have therefore created the conditions to ensure all carton packs we produce can carry the FSC logo. We’re very proud of that, because it’s a key goal within our corporate strategy, the Corporate Compass.”

With its commitment to label 100 percent of all SIG carton packaging with the FSC logo, the company said it had all of its production sites worldwide certified in accordance with the FSC’s criteria for a continuous product chain of custody. Obtaining this certification allowed SIG Combibloc to be one of the first manufacturers to offer food packaging that was permitted to carry the "FSC Mix" label.

Additionally, SIG Combibloc said it consulted with the FSC to develop a new design policy for carton packaging. The FSC label could now be placed on one of the four fully printable display surfaces of the carton packaging, but also on the so-called lateral "ears" of the cartons or on the carton base. This solution is an effective option for small-size carton packages with limited space. For manufacturers that want to make the benefits of FSC-labeled packaging clear and at the same time present these benefits on the carton in a way that appeals to consumers on an emotional level, the FSC also developed a new logo with the slogan "Forests for all forever."