SIG launches beverage cartons with circular polymers from recycled post-consumer waste

SIG said its customers will be able to respond to consumer concerns with the SIG cartons, which make use of low quality, mixed plastic waste that would otherwise be incinerated or sent to landfill. The mixed plastic waste that is collected is treated in a process that enhances the material and transforms it into food grade material.

Made primarily from renewable, FSCTM-certified paper board, SIG’s beverage cartons already support the circular economy by promoting the regeneration of vital natural resources in responsibly-managed forests, SIG added.

Ace Fung, product manager sustainability at SIG, said, “Using post-consumer recycled polymers in our packaging adds to our portfolio of solutions to help customers respond to consumer demand for more sustainable packaging. This latest innovation demonstrates SIG’s commitment to a circular economy and to address environmental concerns about plastic waste. This is another positive strive forward for SIG and the carton packaging industry.”​

Pioneering partnership

SIG is among a select group of companies – and the first in the beverage carton industry – to partner in the foundation stage of development of recycled polymers from post-consumer waste by its supplier, SABIC.

The recycled polymers offer the same quality and have the same properties as polymers made entirely from virgin raw materials. Any contaminants are eliminated during processing, making the recycled content completely safe for food packaging.

Frank Kuijpers, general manager corporate sustainability at SABIC, said, “Certified circular polymers from SABIC TRUCIRCLE initiative will act as a bridge moving from a linear economy to a circular one and will enable the value chain to become familiar with the products and consider how they can best be implemented in their own markets. ​

“Our collaboration with SIG is a good example of how this pioneering product can be implemented in the beverage carton market for the first time and can help meet consumer demand for more sustainable products and will contribute to closing the loop on reutilizing plastic waste.” ​

Certified circular polymers​

The recycled polymers offered by SIG will be certified to the ISCC PLUS standard to enable customers to trace recycled content throughout the value chain from post-consumer waste streams to processing and use in the production of new cartons.

SIG’s commitment to sourcing certified sustainable materials is part of its ambition to go Way Beyond Good by putting more into the environment and society than it takes out.