Fuel sustainability

Article appeared on n. 4/2021 di Italiagrafica

As happened in the past, starting with legislators, today’s environmental sustainability represents a concrete commitment for everyone, from the industrial world to society, including end consumers, who are increasingly attentive to “green” proposals.

The “green wave” not only flows freely in every direction but is also set to renew production processes, packaging materials, purchasing habits, and lifestyles. Speaking of a revolution does not seem like an exaggeration at all. The packaging sector is undoubtedly one of the protagonists of this “eco-friendly” transformation, with which it has been actively engaging for several years.

The experiences accumulated in the past are now finding full expression, perfectly aligning with the need to protect the environment we all live in. This is clearly an intergenerational value that the packaging world demonstrates it knows how to cultivate.

An example? As a producer of corrugated board packaging, LIC Packaging has a close relationship with “green” themes. “Paper and board are sustainable, not only because of their nature and intrinsic characteristics but also due to the ways in which raw materials are sourced,” explains the company’s marketing manager, Filippo Romani. LIC Packaging buys 100% of its raw materials with FSC certification, ensuring correct sourcing and forest protection. The company also manages the entire process in-house, from design to the production of packaging and displays, following clear eco-sustainable policies.

To reduce its environmental impact, LIC Packaging has implemented several measures in its production process.

“Two examples are the installation of photovoltaic panels on the rooftops and the system for collecting board waste under the machines, which is later sent to the paper mill for recycling activities.”

LIC Packaging is also actively involved in defining and implementing good practices for energy efficiency and continuous performance improvement, while also promoting the development of an internal culture and sensitivity oriented towards saving resources.

Recyclable and Compostable

LIC Packaging’s core business is secondary packaging; however, the real challenge today lies in primary packaging. “In this context, in 2013 LIC launched the Eco&Food project, aimed at creating sustainable solutions for direct food contact,” continues Filippo Romani.

“To date, we have registered the HT Board trademark, the material used to create the packaging in the Eco&Food line.”

As a mono-material made from paper, HT Board is eco-friendly and plastic-free, recyclable in the paper recycling stream, biodegradable, and compostable.

“HT Board uses special papers made from pure cellulose because, by law, recycled paper cannot be used when in direct contact with food. Additionally, the special papers in HT Board can be safely used in both traditional and microwave ovens. The use of these special papers also provides a sort of barrier against oils and fats, giving the end consumer a sense of cleanliness and hygiene.”

As a result, in line with eco-design, HT Board is a multifunctional material that, in addition to containing food, is also suitable for cooking, reheating ready-to-eat dishes, and finally, consuming them.

“Over the years, a series of tests have been carried out to ensure both the quality of the food inside and the integrity of the material itself. HT Board is certified for direct food contact, recyclable in the paper recycling stream, biodegradable, and compostable. Therefore, it can be disposed of in the organic waste bin if the HT Board tray contains food residues.”

Regarding design, LIC Packaging has an active design office that not only works on classic packaging but also focuses on the Eco&Food division and point-of-sale displays.

“The common element is that we always work on tailor-made projects, without standard catalogs. Essentially, each initiative is studied according to the specific needs of each client, proposing structures and designs that are evaluated together until we arrive at the most suitable final choice.”

At the same time, Filippo Romani notes that the theme of eco-design also revolves around specific guidelines and a mindset shared by all operators.

“For example, we consider issues like reducing overpackaging, which leads us to study, for each product, tailored dimensions, thicknesses, and volumes, also in terms of production, to optimize yields and minimize waste.”

Ecommerce Green

The “new normal” of recent months has greatly boosted e-commerce activities, with an explosion of packaging being shipped to every corner of our country. This has extended the focus on sustainability to the very processes of shipping and delivering packages.

“Lic Packaging has recognized the growing importance of e-commerce, which not only involves the purchasing methods of online consumers but also the logistical aspects,” confirms Filippo Romani.

“Fundamentally, we’re talking about secondary packaging, with an added focus on design to enhance the customer’s experience and communicate marketing content. Our company has seen this market as an opportunity to approach new customers who were previously not considered. In this context, the concept of eco-design and solutions to protect the product are addressed with recycled paper and board.”

In the food sector, it is mandatory to use pure cellulose products, while for secondary packaging, everything is made from recycled paper.

“It’s important to debunk the myth of the reckless deforestation of trees. Our raw material suppliers operate within a process of safeguarding and controlling sourcing activities. These are understood internally, but they are not always clear to the end consumer, so it’s crucial to emphasize them,” Romani stresses.

On the other hand, know-how, culture, and competencies are recognized as increasingly valuable in the market. The topic of sustainability itself requires all operators to raise the bar.

“At this time, the awareness of the actions taken in previous years is starting to emerge. Today, we have the concept of sustainability reporting, which reflects actions taken in terms of economic efficiency, for sustainability that is both financial and social. Lic Packaging certainly invests a lot in research and development, and this is one of the reasons that led to the creation of HT Board.”

The Economic Side of Sustainability

Until recently, sustainable packaging was considered an added value but often came with a higher cost. Today, the situation has evolved, and the issue remains controversial and complex, as admitted by Filippo Romani.

“Today, the economic evaluation of a product no longer solely focuses on the purchase price; it must be assessed in its entirety, starting from the cost of raw materials, through production, consumption, and extending to disposal. Additionally, recent global market studies show increased awareness and sensitivity toward sustainability, with consumers willing to spend more to support ecological choices. Similarly, legislative bodies are increasingly dedicated to promoting and encouraging ‘green’ choices. Companies are, therefore, called upon to embrace this shift, fully aware that sustainability, both environmental and economic, is an essential factor in the solutions they offer.”

When it comes to food-contact packaging, the challenge lies in finding solutions that integrate with the existing systems in the food industry of current and potential clients.

“In this way, we don’t force the client to replace their existing technologies. Sustainability can also be interpreted in this light. Our task is to find solutions compatible with the technologies already in use in our clients’ production sites.”

Looking ahead, the company’s challenge will increasingly involve the food sector, both industrially and in distribution.

“Until a few years ago, our Eco & Food proposal was welcomed as an interesting idea, but in practice, there were often obstacles related to various factors. Today, however, companies themselves are asking for ‘green’ solutions, a sign of growing and increasing awareness, parallel to the path we are following internally.”