H.B. Fuller have recently joined the 4evergreen alliance, the cross-industry alliance hosted by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) to improve the circularity of fibre-based packaging.
The initiative brings together a diverse network of around 90 organisations and stakeholders throughout the packaging value chain to push for innovation throughout the sector and develop robust, fact-based guidelines for the future of fibre-based packaging. The goal of the alliance is to raise the overall recycling rate of fibre-based packaging to 90% by 2030 and contribute to a climate neutral and sustainable society.
Elizabeth Staab, Global Sustainability Manager, H.B. Fuller, says, “This is both an exciting and challenging period for the packaging industry. Collaboration throughout the supply chain is vital if we are to achieve changes that improve the world for this generation of consumers and beyond. Sustainability is a core pillar of our business strategy at H.B. Fuller, and we are joining the 4evergreen Alliance to expand collaboration with a variety of companies. We must ensure that we continue to invest in R&D projects that will deliver the scientist-designed adhesive products with the tailored high performance and low environmental impact needed to answer the challenges facing the fibre-based packaging industry both today and in the coming decades.”
Staab concludes, “Being more sustainable can mean different things to different people. It could mean easy to recycle. Or have a low carbon footprint. Or designed using circular economy principles. But most likely, it will be a combination of all these, in addition to complying with current and possible future regulations. The environmental challenges facing the world and the subsequent demand for low environmental impact products needs a multi-faceted and collaborative approach. There simply isn’t just one solution or one company with all the answers.”
