Sustainability is a major driving force in the global packaging industry, with brands across the FMCG sector keen to respond to consumer demand for more responsible packaging solutions. Legislation is a dramatic influencer too, as while the consumers vote with their feet, the law uses a sharper tool, although both have a considerable financial impact.
Brands want to be sustainable anyway, so this is not an empty trend driven only by legislation. Companies need to appeal to environmentally educated young people to continue to grow, and existing employees want to protect their careers and work in a business they are proud to be part of.
For the plastic packaging industry that serves the enormous food and beverage industries, choosing sustainable packaging is increasingly less about choice and more about survival, whether that squeeze is coming from consumers choosing sustainable alternatives or from regulatory changes that push towards more responsible solutions.
So, what quick wins can brands choose to help move their packaging options in the right direction, without having to introduce costly or impractical answers that tick the regulatory box but not the commercial sense box.
Emmanuel Duffaut, Chief Sustainability Officer at plastic packaging producer RETAL, is a vocal advocate for the circular economy, believing that when plastic packaging is done right, it is the most sustainable choice for much of the food and beverage industry.
“An easy, quick decision is to make sure nothing in your packaging hinders recycling. So mono packaging materials rather than multi-layer, as these are far harder to recycle, unless the packaging specifically has been developed to be recycled,” says Duffaut. “For PET bottles, this means that whatever virgin PET or recycled PET that was used in the production of the preforms can be effectively collected and easily segregated for recycling after use.”
Another way to support easy recycling within the current infrastructure is for brands to reduce and ideally refuse use of additives or colourants in their PET packaging, which is the most popular type of packaging for the FMCG market.
By encouraging transparent or just barely coloured plastic packaging, companies can create far more value in the recycling stream. This is because the additives and colourants can alter the recycled content and either discolour it (at best) or reduce its properties (at worst), making the collected used PET unusable and therefor a wasted virgin resource.
We see this move away from additives and colourants on our supermarket shelves as global beverage brands want to highlight their sustainability credentials and show to an increasingly environmentally conscious consumer base that they can have the products they want without costing the earth.
“Choosing recyclable packaging is an easy decision as large plastic packaging producers like RETAL are able to guarantee a reliable supply of recyclable PET and/or up to 100% rPET (recycled PET) preforms,” Duffaut says. “We mustn’t forget that PET packaging is lightweight, easy to transport, practically unbreakable, reusable, takes far fewer resources to recycle that other packaging materials, and is easy to form into eye-catching shapes and designs.
“Plastic can look after us if we look after plastic.”
Read online at Czapp
Read / download in PDF
The future of tray-to-tray recycling is promoted by the RETAL Baltic Films team at this year’s Fachpack, the European trade fair for packaging, technology, and processes.
RETAL Baltic Films will be in Nuremberg, Germany, from 24th to 26th September, presenting its wide range of rigid APET films and flexible printed packaging solutions in Hall 4, Stand 250.
The portfolio of rigid APET films will share alignment with the Tray Circularity Evaluation Protocol (TCEP), developed by PETcore - ‘the voice of the European PET industry’ - to enhance the value and sustainable growth of the complete PET value chain in Europe. The RETAL team will be on hand to show how monoPET should be the first choice for sustainable packaging wherever possible.
Head of Marketing & Innovation at RETAL Baltic Films Irena Vitkauskiene says, “We’re a part of the Petcore Europe Thermoforming Working Group and our developments and our products support the guidance for recycling. We have a range of complete packaging solutions for rigid bottom trays and flexible printed top liddings based on monomaterials like monoPET, monoRPET and monoBOPET, monoPE and monoPP and many others. We offer solutions that ensure circularity, plus we provide whatever packaging our customers’ demand; we understand the balance of functional packaging that keeps products safe, fresh and consumers’ happy, while respecting sustainability.”
With various samples available on the RETAL Baltic Films stand, everyone is welcome to visit to discuss how to minimise the impact of PET packaging trays on environment, decrease packaging waste and ensure proper post consumed trays feedstock for the tray-to-tray recycling stream.
Irena adds, “We’re pleased to make it easy for customers to go for monoPET. Come to our stand to discuss implementation of PPWR, obligations for recycled content and recyclability grades of plastic packaging. We’re here to help you make good choices for all your PET trays packaging requirements.”
For a free entry to this year’s Fachpack from RETAL Baltic Films, please use this link Code: A519230
For further information, please contact Irena Vitkauskiene irena.vitkauskiene@retalfilms.com
On 30 July 2024, A POLYMER INDUSTRIES LLC, trading as Orzuplast, the Uzbekistan-based industrial partner of the multinational packaging producer RETAL, has recently gained the FSSC 22000 version 6 certification for quality and food safety, the first producer in Uzbekistan to achieve this standard.
The internationally recognized FSSC 22000 version 6 certificate has been granted following a successful audit of its new production, including the development and implementation of the site. Orzuplast is now certified as a producer of food contact packaging.
Sherzod Tursunov, CEO of Orzuplast, announced, "We are proud to announce that we are the first packaging manufacturer in Uzbekistan to receive this certificate. Thanks to the high standards of our production and the training of our employees, we were able to pass all the necessary audits on the first try, without additional comments and adjustments to the production process. The certificate confirms that the implemented processes, principles and operating conditions of the entire factory, from the receipt of raw materials to the production of finished products, meet international requirements for quality and food safety. We are ready to work with VIP clients in our industry."
For further information, please contact office.manager@orzuplast.uz
Head of RETAL Service Vladislav Medvedovskiy presented at the AMI Plastic Closures Innovations (PCI) Conference on 6 June 2023.
With a technical and engaging presentation entitled “Implementation Insights: Solving Tethered Closure Challenges”, Vladislav took his turn on the stage in front of many packaging industry leaders.
Held at the World Trade Centre in Barcelona from 4-6 June, the event is widely considered to be an important date in the plastic industry calendar, and billed as ‘bringing together leaders, innovators and experts to explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in plastic closures’.
Vladislav explains, “I welcomed the chance to share my technical insight on the implementation challenges of tethered closures and how RETAL Service supports our customers in quickly and effectively solving those challenges. I shared how we made over 180 visits to customers in 2023 alone, and how we’ve seen all the possible issues with implementing tethered closures! I really enjoyed the event, especially having the chance to meet with so many fellow professionals and listen to other interesting presentations.”
The RETAL team are keen participants in plastic packaging industry conferences and events, supported by the communications team. For further information contact Maria Jarrar at media@retalgroup.com
Multinational plastic packaging producer RETAL is pleased to announce a new industrial partner in Central Asia.
A Polymer Industries LLC, trading as Orzuplast, in Uzbekistan is a provider of packaging solutions for its local and neighbouring markets and is now welcomed by RETAL as the latest addition to its partner network, helping to serve the global food and beverage packaging industries.
Orzuplast is keen to highlight investment and development, with plans for additional expansion. The updated factory for Orzuplast is now officially opened, with two capping machines and three preform machines up and running, joining the extensive shipment capabilities that have long been present at the facility. With a modern laboratory, the facility is proudly focused on product quality.
General manager, Orzuplast Sherzod Tursunov says, “The Orzuplast site has been here for some time. We are proud to be harnessing the knowledge of the employees that have been working on this site for many years, all of whom are still with us. We need their expertise to help us all continue to succeed in this dynamic, growing market, as we turn our attention to preforms and closures. We see excellent opportunities for advancement, with both local customers and our global food and beverage brand customers assured that our capabilities in Uzbekistan meet the highest standards.”
With a young population and an ancient culture, Uzbekistan and neighbouring countries represent an exciting growth market, with Orzuplast happy to serve customers throughout this fast-developing Central Asia territory.
For further information contact Maria Jarrar at media@retalgroup.com
RETAL is proud to sponsor the Lituanica VLR youth robotics team, who recently brought home the ‘Growing FIRST’ award from the global FIRST Robotics competition, held in Houston, Texas, in April 2024.
Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST Robotics is a global nonprofit organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18. With the pinnacle of its annual events the international competition, the FIRST Robotics program is suitable for schools or structured after-school activities and is supported by a network of volunteers and sponsors including over 200 Fortune 500 companies.
RETAL Purchase Director Arturas Scerbakovas, an active supporter of Lituanica VLR (Vilnius Lyceum Robotics), says, “FIRST Robotics is a fast-growing global robotics community that is focused on helping to prepare young people in careers in STEM. It’s great fun and very high energy; it’s a brilliant way for young people to develop their technical skills in a fast environment. My daughter is in the team; she loves engineering and plans to study it at university, so I’m happy to do whatever I can to support her.”
With the Lituanica VLR team earning the ‘Growing FIRST’ award in recognition of its impressive progress, RETAL is a proud sponsor of this inspirational team that is motivating the next generation of skilled engineers.
For further information contact Maria Jarrar at media@retalgroup.com
The Financial Times has placed RETAL as the highest ranked packaging producer on its 2024 Climate Leaders Europe list.
The independent list is a collaboration between the Financial Times and Statista, with the recognition gained thanks to RETAL’s constant effort in managing climate change impact since 2018, including its A score from CDP, Science Based Targets validated by SBTi (including its Scope 1 target already reached ahead of schedule), a 33% total renewable energy usage across the business, and a climate change risk assessment according to TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures).
Now in its fourth edition, the list focuses on businesses that have made the greatest reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with factors such as value chain transparency, collaboration with sustainability assessors used to produce an overall total for each company. https://www.ft.com/climate-leaders-europe-2024
RETAL Chief Sustainability Officer Emmanuel Duffaut says, “We are very proud to be recognized by the Financial Times and Statista and are already looking forward to making the list next year as we yet again improve our management and further mitigate our GHG emissions. I would be delighted to talk to any of our customers or potential customers about how we’ve achieved this independent recognition. We are all on this journey together, so understanding how we can continue to encourage positive actions is good for us all.”
For further information click here https://www.retalgroup.com/csr-at-retal/
Contact Maria Jarrar at media@retalgroup.com
Multinational plastic packaging producer RETAL has earned its first A- score from the globally-recognised CDP, rewarding the company’s improved management of climate change after getting a B score during 4 years in a row.
As ‘the gold standard of climate change management evaluation, CDP represents the reference for investors, to assess companies, cities, state and regions performance in this area but is also becoming the mainstream tool for private companies to evaluate their suppliers.
Emmanuel Duffaut, Chief Sustainability Officer at RETAL, is clear that an A- score from CDP illustrates how the company puts climate change management at the forefront of its CSR action. “Our A- score is a great achievement and it sends a strong message to our people, our customers and all our stakeholders regarding our commitment to sustainability and it is very positive for our business. This rating ascertains RETAL’s leadership (top 18% of companies in our sector reporting to CDP) in terms of climate change management and gives all our partners the confidence to know that our products are manufactured in a sustainable way.”
RETAL’s A- CDP score has been achieved through our continuous effort to embed climate change into our long-term strategy, management and operations, materialized recently by setting science-based targets validated by SBTi, performing a risk assessment following the TCFD guidelines and reducing our GHG emissions. Read more about RETAL’s actions in its latest Sustainability Report here.
For further information contact Maria Jarrar at media@retalgroup.com
The RETAL stand at this year’s BrauBeviale trade fair welcomed visitors from over 30 countries, with the RETAL and RETAL Baltic Films teams keen to highlight the latest innovative product developments.
Busy with meeting areas, filled with samples, and open to new and existing customers, the RETAL stand was a popular place at the event, which drew crowds of over 40,000 from across the beverage packaging industry.
The latest product from RETAL created great interest. The PET wine bottle for the famous Spumante sparkling wine attracted special attention, with samples of the bottle available to people interested in knowing more.
Samples were also available for a range of food and beverage segments, including finished products for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, edible oils and honey. RETAL presented complete solutions of rigid and flexible packaging for beverage and food producers, as well as tethered closures for a range of neck finishes. The tethered closure samples proved especially popular, as brands were ready to stay ahead of incoming legislation.
Senior marketing manager Maria Jarrar attended the event and is pleased to report that it offered a great opportunity to meet with customers. She says, “BrauBeviale was especially dynamic this year. We were delighted to speak with so many people at our stand, and also to walk around the event to catch up with our network. Sustainability continues to be the main topic, and we’re seeing how increased experience and expertise is bringing ever more innovative solutions. Being able to share samples and conversations showed how RETAL is continuing to make this leap forward throughout our complete packaging solutions portfolio.”
Thank you to everyone that visited the RETAL stand.
The latest RETAL Sustainability Report can be downloaded here LINK
Multinational plastic packaging producer RETAL has published its latest Sustainability Report, documenting its actions for the 2022 calendar year.
Written with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, the RETAL Sustainability Report shares RETAL’s ongoing dedication to reducing its environmental impact across its 12 plants and its supply chain, to continuing investing in its people and facilities, and to providing its global food and beverage brand customers and stakeholders with the relevant information to remain their trusted partner in sustainable packaging.
Chief Sustainability Officer Emmanuel Duffaut is clear that this Sustainability Report is a valuable marker in the company’s sustainability management. “This voluntary effort allows to show the hard work, dedication and focus of the company to develop and operate sustainably and responsibly made evident by the strong environmental and social results disclosed, but also to be transparent and accountable towards our stakeholders.”
Key results include -
Ecovadis increased score (63% - Silver level) and CDP B rating
Validated Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) targets.
Achieving Scope 1 science-based target seven years early
Using 100% renewable energy across three plants and 43% across all plants
Operational Health & Safety integrated into Sustainability Department
Anti-discrimination training company-wide
Anti-corruption external assessment
Investment in energy efficient equipment across plants, including all-inclusive closures production in RETAL Balkan
The latest RETAL Sustainability Report can be downloaded here
For further information contact Maria Jarrar at media@retalgroup.com or contact Emmanuel Duffaut directly on emmanuel.duffaut@retalgroup.com