The 4evergreen alliance aims to boost the contribution of fiber-based packaging in a circular and sustainable economy that minimizes climate and environmental impact. In addition, the goals are to increase awareness about innovation in fiber-based packaging materials and recycling, set guidelines for product design enabling circularity and secondary use of fibers, and support the development of optimized collection systems as well as critical recycling infrastructures and technologies adapted to fiber-based packaging.
The alliance brings together the whole value chain.
Members are Nestlé, Danone, Stora Enso, Smurfit Kappa, Sappi, Metsä Board, UPM, Mayr-Melnhof Group, Reno de Medici, Kotkamills, Ahlstrom Munksjö, International Paper, BillerudKorsnäs, Huhtamäki, SEDA, SIG Combibloc, Tetra Pak, Elopak, Walki, Schur Group, Cardbox Packaging, Firstan Ltd., Westrock, Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co. KG, Graphic Packaging International, AR Packaging, MARS, Baumer hhs GmbH, Van Genechten Packaging Group.
CEPI said more organizations are welcome to join the collaboration.
“The time to act is now!” Jori Ringman, director general at CEPI, said.
“Our industry already has a strong track record in environmental performance and recycling, but our ambition is higher. We are driving a system-wide shift to transition to the next level of circularity and climate resilience. 4evergreen will be the place for the whole industry value chain to co-create and collaborate for a change.”
Karl-Henrik Sundström, CEO of Stora Enso, said, “This is a critical step to strengthen circular bioeconomy in Europe, and to boost the role of fiber-based packaging solutions in the market.
“Plastic litter is a global problem that cannot be tackled without climate smart, renewable and recyclable solutions. Joining forces with companies across the value chain can bring about a real, transformative change.”
According to Eurostat, fiber-based packaging is already recycled in Europe at the rate of 84.6% and the volume of recycled fiber-based packaging alone equals that of all other recycled packaging materials together. The industry is looking to advance and bring to market new innovative products using recycled fibers through initiatives like 4evergreen.
About CEPI
CEPI is the European association representing the forest fiber and paper industry. CEPI offers a range of renewable and recyclable wood-based fiber solutions to EU citizens: from packaging to textile, hygiene and tissue products, printing and graphic papers as well as speciality papers, but also bio-chemicals for food and pharmaceuticals, bio-composites and bioenergy.
Through its 18 national associations, CEPI gathers 500 companies operating 895 mills across Europe that directly employ more than 180,000 people.