Pursuing the perfect packaging

Today, most of FrieslandCampina’s professional packaging is recyclable. An achievement to be proud of, explains Caroline Zwart-Clarijs. “As a food company, all the materials we use have to comply with strict food safety regulations. FrieslandCampina has production sites in the EU, Africa and Asia, which means we have to keep up with different food safety requirements. On top of that, we want our packaging to be outstanding in terms of user-friendliness and sustainability.”

The perfect balance

Balancing all these factors is challenging, but not impossible. Currently, 91% of our entire packaging portfolio is recyclable, including 53% of our plastic packaging. Our recyclability target for 2025 is 95% and our packaging ambition for 2050 is for it to be circular and net climate-neutral. “It’s important to emphasize that sustainability doesn’t stand in the way of quality,” Caroline explains. The Debic PET bottle serves as an excellent example of this.

Not only is this bottle made of 30% recycled PET, it also features an improved seal and is developed in close collaboration with professionals in the food industry. “We wanted to understand their needs when using our products. What is the easiest way for them to open and close a bottle? How can we improve pouring accuracy? These factors are equally important to us when developing sustainable packaging.”

“Currently, 91% of our entire packaging portfolio is recyclable, including 53% of our plastic packaging.”

Data, data, data

The key for success? "On one hand, we maintain close communication with partners, waste sorters and recyclers. But we also closely monitor our own data," explains Caroline. The packaging development team even created a custom monitoring tool called RESPACKT. "This tool enables us to compare various packaging choices and helps us track our kpi’s, ensuring we have a clear understanding of our current environmental impact status.”

Step by step

Even though we are on on track on completion of our recyclability goal, we continue to look for new packaging innovations. “Working together is of the utmost importance. At FrieslandCampina, all teams are aware of the sustainability goals we are aiming to achieve. We are close to reaching our target, but the real challenge is to also encourage our clients and partners to take action. In the end, sustainability concerns all of us.”

“Working together is of the utmost importance. At FrieslandCampina, all teams are aligned with the sustainability goals we are trying to achieve.”