Packaging
Superfos: Save costs and CO2 with plastic
Tuesday 07. October 2008 - Injection moulded plastic packaging is a true alternative to metal and glass packaging. That will be proven at Emballage 2008 where Superfos presents several examples of how customers have saved both money and CO2 converting to plastic.
Plastic holds several green advantages compared to metal and glass. It is extremely energy demanding to use metal or glass for packaging and lids and the CO2 emissions from material extraction and production of these products are 2.5 times higher than for plastic. Moreover, the lower weight and easier stacking of plastic containers entails massive costs and CO2 reductions through transport.
“Plastic is beginning to increase its volume compared to other packaging materials. And there is a good reason for that. It has superior product properties compared to traditional packaging of glass and metal, and in addition to saving costs and CO2, plastic is light weight, very hygienic, flexible and very resistant,” says Product Design Manager Torben Noer from leading packaging manufacturer Superfos.
One company that has replaced metal with plastic is the French Un Air dIci who produces the famous Ice Fruits. CEO Franck Bonfils says:
“The switch from metal to plastic containers has led to weight reductions of more than 30% and a more efficient use of our storage capacity – factors that save both money and CO2 emissions in the product life cycle.”
Groundbreaking CO2 calculator
Superfos has developed a new, professional tool that enables precise calculations of the carbon footprint of each packaging solution and is an important step towards reaching lower CO2 emissions through green innovations.
“The calculator is both an important part of our carbon footprint strategy and our response to an increasing customer wish combined with a lack of market standards in this field. Though packaging accounts for only 10% of an average products total CO2 emission, there is still room for improvement. And precise calculations give us a head start on reaching a smaller carbon footprint because it enables us to choose the best way to take action,” says Torben Noer.
Examples of the calculations will be shown at Emballage 2008 together with a variety of new product developments from Superfos.
Around the world more than 5 times
One of the new product launches from Superfos that has been through the CO2 calculations is the new redesigned container – Paintainer, which is being produced both in recycled material and PP.
“Based on a 20% reduction in the raw material phase, our carbon calculations show a reduction of 70 grams CO2 on each container. If a customer uses around 500,000 Paintainer containers per year produced by recycled raw-material, the carbon savings add up to 35 tons of CO2 – or what a standard car emits going around the world more than 5 times,” states Torben Noer.
Another sustainable product to be presented on the fair is the SuperSeal solution that features improved snap-on functionality on the lid made of new PP material. The PP peel-off and re-close functionality eliminates the need for aluminium seal during packaging and is easier to recycle. The SuperSeal solution has recently been awarded a Scanstar and won an IF Packaging Award on Interpack 2008 earlier this year.
At our stand H39 in hall 6, at Emballage 2008 we have designed a spectacular set-up to present the results of our innovation within sustainable packaging solutions. We look forward to seeing our customers and all other interested at the fair.