FrieslandCampina plans to roll out the new bio-based packaging set to be used for some of its milk products in the Netherlands across more of the lines it sells domestically.
From June, the Dutch co-operative's Campina-branded fresh milk and buttermilk on sale in its home market will be packaged in what the company called "the most sustainable beverage carton ever".
The carton is made from renewable paper. The carton's coating and cap are made from what FrieslandCampina calls "certified organic waste material". It claims the CO2 footprint of the carton is 20% lower than its current packaging.
A spokesperson for FrieslandCampina said the company had plans for more products to use the material. "The next wave will be dairy drinks, followed by yoghurt and desserts. In total around 300 million packs per year will be shifted to the new material base," she said.
The co-operative refused to comment on how much it had invested in developing the packaging. However, the spokesperson said the move was part of FrieslandCampina's goals to reduce its impact on the environment.
"[It] fits with our goals to reduce the environmental impact of our business, fits with governmental policy towards a bio-based and circular economy and the packaging covenant in which the Dutch industry commits itself to make packaging more sustainable," the spokesperson said.
She added there was evidence consumers would pay more for products sold in more sustainable packaging. "There is research-based evidence that sustainable packaging contributes most to the sustainable perception of a product by Dutch consumers and that they are interested in information concerning the impact of packaging. Research also suggests that consumers are willing to pay more for products in a sustainable packaging."
FrieslandCampina has yet to decide if it would use the packaging – manufactured by Elopak – in other markets.
