South Korea’s Ministry of Environment has recognised the recyclability of Ecolean’s aseptic packages, which rank higher than most other food and drink packaging solutions in the country’s new recyclability grading system.
The absence of aluminium, which is often used for aseptic cartons and other liquid food packaging, means Ecolean’s portfolio ranked ‘good’ in a four-grade scale to determine how easily packages can be recycled.
The announcement follows South Korea’s introduction last December of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources, requiring food and beverage packaging to contain labels that show a material’s recyclability grade, thereby encouraging resource efficiency and the use of easy-to-recycle packages.
A nine-month grace period for businesses to comply with the new regulations ends this September.
“The South Korean Ministry of Environment’s grade of the Ecolean packages’ recyclability only confirms that we are on the right path – developing and manufacturing unique packaging solutions that make a difference in the long run,” said Paul Mellbin, Senior Advisor, Ambient Technology at Ecolean.
“As a global producer of lightweight packaging, Ecolean makes it easier for consumers, liquid food brands as well as the environment.”
Aluminium-free packaging
Ecolean’s lightweight portfolio consists of aseptic, flexible packaging made from polyolefins and up to 35 % chalk, which gives the packages their strength, stiffness and smooth surface.
The printed, shaped and fully sealed packages are sterilised using electron beam treatment before shipping to the filling machine at the customer’s site. Prior to opening, filling and sealing in the filling machines, the outer surfaces of the packages are desterilised using a system of 1 % peroxide spray and UV light.
“The fact that our type of sterilisation process is separated from the filling machines and performed at the Ecolean manufacturing plants is quite unique in the industry and something we are very proud of. It makes the process easier for our customers, and that as well as having sustainability in mind when designing our lightweight packaging solutions is key. The confirmed recyclability of our packages in Korea just further adds to the fact that our unique approach is crucial for the beverage, dairy and liquid food industry” Paul Mellbin said.
Ecolean increased its footprint in South Korea last year with Yakult selecting its Air Aseptic range for two new launches in the country.
“The Ecolean package is the perfect fit for us, since it is lightweight and flexible, yet extremely durable. We have already seen a huge interest from consumers,” Jeonghyeon Hong, Marketing Manager, Yakult Korea, said.
Yakult launches its first aseptic food and beverage products on the Korean market, in Ecolean® Air Aseptic lightweight packages. The first two launches match health-oriented products with convenient and unique packaging, elevating the Korean consumers’ experiences.
“The Ecolean package is the perfect fit for us, since it is lightweight and flexible, yet extremely durable. We have already seen a huge interest from consumers,” says Ms. Jeonghyeon Hong, Marketing Manager, Yakult Korea.
Yakult is a well-established global food and beverage manufacturer, and the first beverage on the Korean market for ambient distribution, marks a move into the aseptic segment with new opportunities to follow. Hyfresh ready-to-drink tea launched in Ecolean® Air Aseptic 125ml package, is developed with Pyunkang medical institute and Hyfresh ready-to-drink vegetable soup, in Ecolean® Air Aseptic 200ml, is a nutritious vegetable-based creamy soup.
“This also marks Ecolean’s first launch in Korea and we are looking forward to showing consumers the benefits of our lightweight packages – being microwaveable and easy to use. Brand owners using lightweight packaging are not only reporting cost savings but also an improved environmental profile and brand image among other advantages”, says Johnny Sajland, Global Sales Director, Ecolean. “This will be a great match, with both the Yakult products’ added-value offering and with consumer’s everyday lives.”
Yakult puts one trillion packages on the market each year and has high standards when partnering with packaging suppliers
“We are developing food and beverage products responding to health concerns in typical modern lives. Marking the launch of our health-oriented ready-to-drink tea, we are addressing the need for self-care. The same can be said about our launch of Hyfresh vegetable soup, bringing an end to health concerns derived from vegetable-poor diets,” says Ms. Jeonghyeon Hong, Marketing Manager, Yakult Korea. “This is so important to us, to be able to make a difference in the consumer’s everyday life and we feel that with Ecolean that promise is strengthened.”
The global packaging producer, Ecolean has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal Recognition 2020 for its sustainability work. The certificate is awarded by the independent and trusted provider of sustainability ratings, EcoVadis. In the overall rankings, Ecolean is placed in the top 5 percent of a total of 60,000 companies assessed from 155 countries.
Ecolean’s high score is based on the company’s strategic work with clear objectives within significant areas of sustainability such as environment, including renewable energy and climate impact and social aspects – as well as via monitoring and transparent reporting of sustainability data of its lightweight packages and filling machines. For Ecolean, this is the first year the company participates in the ratings by EcoVadis.
EcoVadis is an independent provider of business sustainability ratings, which evaluates companies’ sustainability work in global supply chains annually. The assessment focuses on four key areas: environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. EcoVadis uses international standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative and the UN Global Compact.
About Ecolean
Ecolean develops and manufactures innovative packaging systems for the dairy and liquid food industry. Ecolean’s modern lightweight packaging is consumer convenience and environmental concern in one. Ecolean is a global company with its headquarters in Sweden. Established in 1996, the company has commercial activities in over 30 countries, with China, Pakistan and Russia being its largest markets. Ecolean has 450 employees.
Ecolean, a global producer of lightweight packaging solutions for liquid food, publishes its second Sustainability Report. The report focuses on Ecolean’s ambition and actions to provide the world with safe and convenient liquid food packaging solutions – with minimal environmental impact.
The world’s demand for innovative packaging solutions are increasing as a result of a growing population, changing consumer demands and a global climate challenge. Ecolean enables optimal packaging solutions by continuously enhancing its product portfolio and through an ambitious strategy for global growth.
During 2018, Ecolean completed the introduction of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for all of its packages. By doing so, Ecolean became the first packaging system supplier in the world to offer this type of verified environmental documents of its entire system. Furthermore, Ecolean took a step closer to its objective to use 100 percent renewable electricity at its production sites by 2030.
“By switching to renewable electricity, we can reduce the climate impact of our production”, says Anna Palminger, Manager Sustainability at Ecolean. ”I’m proud of our results. In 2018, 84 % of the electricity used at Ecolean’s production plants was renewable and 82 % of the total energy used in production originated from renewable sources. We also shifted from natural gas to renewable biogas at our plant in Sweden – meaning that all energy used at that site is now 100 % renewable.”
“Moving forward means further enhancing the life cycle perspective – and will require joint efforts and collaborations with both our industry partners and our customers,” says Peter L Nilsson, CEO at Ecolean. “We think it is important to take steps that drive the entire industry forward in a more sustainable direction, such as introducing EPDs for all our packages. The way ahead is to intensify our collaboration with others such as through CEFLEX (a circular economy for flexible packaging) and local recycling initiatives. This is a significant step forward for Ecolean that reinforces our position as a leading sustainable packaging supplier”.
To read the Ecolean Sustainability Report, visit: https://bit.ly/2mqAc59
Shou Quan Zhai (SQZ), founded in 1760 and one of the oldest food companies in China, is expanding into the beverage market with a new line of ready-to-drink products. The ginger tea and plum juice drinks are the first non-dairy beverages in China available in lightweight flexible packages from Ecolean.
The drinks will be available in the 200 ml Ecolean® Air Aseptic packages on February 20, on SQZ’s online store, e-commerce channels and at retail locations across China. The products are part of a larger traditional Chinese beverage line that will include more products in the future. SQZ is developing, manufacturing and selling herbal beverages to create a healthy lifestyle and is a bestseller of ginger tea products in China.
According to SQZ, the company is engaged in environmental issues and has a long-term view of its work in the sustainability field. The company is committed to keep refining its technology to provide the best experience for the consumers as well as for the environment. SQZ chose Ecolean for its unique package characteristics and low impact on the environment. Ecolean packages are lightweight, almost half in weight compared to many traditional packaging formats, and contain up to 35 % chalk. Using fewer raw materials from the start saves energy during production, transport and waste handling. The packages can also be completely flattened, minimizing food waste and using less space in the waste bin.
In addition, the packages can be used in the microwave — a main benefit to SQZ since ginger tea is typically served warm. The packages are also easy to open and pour and stand upright.
“With a 259-year history, SQZ proudly respects the environment for generations now and in the future,” said Lin Lei, Director, Public Relations and Government Affairs for SQZ. “Ecolean’s advanced packaging technology from Sweden has a minimum impact on the environment, is easy to recognize on the store shelf and is convenient for consumers to use.”
Just as Ecolean is committed to producing lighter, flexible packaging, its filling equipment is also light and compact using minimal resources. Ready-to-fill packages are sterilized using electron beam treatment, hermetically sealed and distributed on reels from Ecolean plants, bringing a considerable part of the complex sterilization process from the liquid food producer back to Ecolean. SQZ chose the Ecolean aseptic filling machine EL4+ for its operations. As for all Ecolean filling machines, it follows the philosophy of keeping it simple, providing a reliable, economical and lean operation. It is easily operated and maintained by SQZ’s personnel.
“The new ready-to-drink beverages from SQZ represent the first non-dairy beverages in Ecolean packages in the Chinese market,” said Johnny Sajland, Regional Director, Asia North and Oceania, Ecolean. “We are excited to work with SQZ to bring new innovation and products to the more than 1.4 billion population in China, both now and in the future.”
Ecolean, a global producer of lightweight packaging solutions for liquid food, expands its business and acquires a 30,000 square meter piece of land in Landskrona, Sweden to establish a new production facility. The expansion is part of the company’s ambitious growth strategy.
The increase in capacity is well needed to meet the liquid food industry’s demands for Ecolean’s lightweight and innovative packaging solutions. In the agreement, an additional 30,900 sqm can be obtained, when needed in the future.
“As part of our ongoing expansion strategy, this investment of 25-30 million euros will enable us to continue being a fast growing and rapidly expanding company”, says Peter L Nilsson, CEO, Ecolean Group. “The new production facility will be up and running in 2020 and we expect to add around 100 new job opportunities within a few years’ time”, he continues.
The new production facility will be located only 20 km south of Helsingborg, where the company’s headquarters and one of their existing production facilities are located. Ecolean has 400 employees, half of which work in Helsingborg.
In addition to Sweden, Ecolean has one production facility in China and one production facility under construction in Pakistan, estimated to start its operations 2019. Ecolean collaborates with leading brand owners in approximately 30 countries and has eleven sales offices globally.
The Ecolean lightweight packages are made of as little raw material as possible, providing a low environmental impact throughout the packages’ life cycle. The company and its packaging solutions’ sustainable profile appeals to market-leading liquid food brands globally.
