HKScan introduces renewable-based plastic in packaging in collaboration with Wipak and Woodly
The use of a new type of renewable-based plastic brings us a step closer to carbon neutrality throughout the food chain
Product packaging is one of the most vital areas to be addressed by both Wipak and HKScan as they pursue carbon neutrality. Wipak has been partnering with wood-based plastics developer Woodly since the beginning of 2019, with both companies working towards CO2 neutrality by developing sustainable raw materials, creating sustainable concepts, and using only sustainable energy for production.
Jaakko Kaminen, CEO of Woodly, shares: “We are proud to partner with a company like Wipak, known for its ability to innovate. We believe this collaboration helps to generate industry-leading carbon neutral packaging solutions the brand owners can utilize to fulfill their sustainability commitments and add value to their products”.
HKScan gains exclusive rights to use Woodly® materials in select product categories
As part of their Zero Carbon climate plan, food manufacturers HKScan are replacing their fossil-based plastics and have been co-operating with Woodly Oy and Wipak Oy to develop the new type of plastic-based on wood cellulose. As a result, HKScan will be the first company to have exclusive rights to use these Woodly® plastics in Finland’s meat product category. The company will utilize this new type of plastic for selected grilling sausage packages this coming summer.
The main raw component in Woodly® materials – coniferous cellulose – comes from certified, sustainably managed forests. The renewability of the material makes it a viable replacement for fossil-based packaging materials. Woodly®-based packaging materials are recycled as plastics.
“HKScan is renewing its packaging to make it even more responsible. Our goal is to ensure that all our packaging is recyclable by the end of 2025, at the latest. At the same time, we aim to reduce the carbon footprint of our packaging by 20 percent and the amount of packaging plastics by 20 percent from the levels in 2019. By using the carbon-neutral Woodly® component, we will reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of the ready packaging film by more than 50 percent in comparison to traditional plastic packaging”, states Markus Gotthardt, VP, Commercial for HKScan in Finland.
Carbon neutrality calls for comprehensive solutions
The reduction of plastics in packaging and the shift to packaging made from renewable materials with higher levels of recyclability corresponds to the expectations placed on the food industry by consumers.
At Wipak, we constantly strive to introduce alternatives to crude oil-based materials and achieve carbon neutrality by 2025. In the development of our innovative film solutions, we focus on renewable resources that are suitable for food applications, such as Woodly®.
We sincerely agree with HKScan’s Markus Gotthardt when he states: “While it is vital for us to develop the environmental friendliness of our packaging, it is also important to remember that the primary purpose of packaging is, however, to protect and preserve foods and to reduce food waste.” He emphasizes, “Woodly®materials meet these criteria.”.