Tetra Pak’s entire supply chain certified for FSC-labelled products

Tetra Pak can now supply packaging from responsibly-managed wood sources from any of its 92 facilities worldwide, having received full Forest Stewardship Council certification (FSC).


The FSC Chain of Custody certification allows wood fibres in FSC-labelled products to be traced at every step through the supply chain, providing assurance that the products have been manufactured in an environmentally sensitive and socially beneficial way. Tetra Pak’s accreditation is one of the largest multi-site certifications the FSC has ever awarded. 

Tetra Pak launched the world’s first FSC labelled liquid food carton in 2007. In 2012, its use of FSC-certified paperboard was 38%, which rose to 41% in 2013. In total, Tetra Pak has sold over 130 million FSC labelled products worldwide, with 43.7 billion in 2014 alone. 

“Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the products they buy, expecting businesses to help them make better choices,” said Tetra Pak’s vice president for the environment Mario Abreu. “The FSC logo is an easily recognisable hallmark for forest management, and our customers now have an opportunity to demonstrate their support for responsible forestry anywhere in the world. 

“As a major user of paperboard, we feel it’s our responsibility to do what we can to help improve the management of the world’s forests, which is why we are working to ensure 100% of the paperboard we use is certified.”

Verified traceability

An industry report – the Proforest report – released in June last year revealed that the UK’s largest producers of beverage cartons were well on track to meet their commitment to source 100% ‘fully traceable’ wood fibre by 2015. Ninety-three per cent of wood fibre purchased globally by members of the Alliance for Beverage Cartons & the Environment (ACE) – Tetra Pak, Elopak and SIG Combibloc – in 2013 was either FSC-certified fibre or originated from FSC-controlled wood. This is a rise from almost 90% last year.

Tetra Pak is also aiming to improve the recycling rates of its own products. In 2013, the company sold 178,412 million packages, of which 24.5% were recycled. Although this is an increase on the 22.9% achieved in 2012, Tetra Pak will need to double recycling rates in order to hit its target of 40% by 2020.

In related news, paper manufacturer Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) has this week come under fire from conservationists, this time for the legality of its fibre supply. A new report revealed that more than 30% of wood used by Indonesia’s industrial forest sector stems from illegal sources, but APP insists it is “on the right track” and needs better support from all stakeholders in the landscape. 

Lucinda Dann

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe