4evergreen alliance to promote fiber-based packaging in circular economy launches

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

The 4evergreen alliance brings together the whole value chain. Pic: Getty Images/petovarga
The 4evergreen alliance brings together the whole value chain. Pic: Getty Images/petovarga

Related tags Sustainability Recycling Stora enso Tetra pak Nestlé Huhtamaki Danone Sig combibloc Smurfit kappa

Members of CEPI, the European association representing the forest fiber and paper industry, are joining forces with companies across the value chain to drive the recycling of fiber-based packaging and collaboration in circular design and materials to enable positive change in circular economy.

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.