The European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA), together with partner associations (European Aluminium, Aluminium Closures Group, Metal Packaging Europe, etma and AEROBAL) involved in aluminium packaging, has published a new framework for packaging design: the Design for Recyclability Guidelines and Recyclability Assessment for Packaging containing Aluminium. The aim is to ensure that packaging design facilitates efficient recycling at the end of the life cycle.

The guidelines are addressed first to packaging designers, but also to legislators and technical experts involved in the discussions on establishing appropriate methodologies for assessing packaging recyclability. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requires that by 2030 all packaging placed on the European market must be recyclable.

In this context, the Design for Recyclability Guidelines and Recyclability Assessment for Packaging containing Aluminium provide a scientifically sound approach for evaluating the recyclability of packaging predominantly made of aluminium. Furthermore, these guidelines render relevant information on the recyclability of packaging which contain aluminium as a minor material share.

“The PPWR sets ambitious objectives on packaging recyclability – we want to help ensure that the related provisions are implemented on a reliable and practice-oriented basis. Our guidelines provide a comprehensive overview and understanding of the factors having an impact on the recyclability of packaging containing aluminium, creating transparency for designers, regulators and the recycling industry,” stresses Jean-Paul Duquet, Director Sustainability at EAFA.

Technical background

Aluminium as a packaging material is characterised by properties that make it suitable for a wide range of applications. These include formats made predominantly of aluminium – such as semi-rigid foil containers, pet food trays, coffee capsules, alu/alu blister packs or foils for chocolate and cheese. They also include formats where aluminium is present in smaller shares but adds crucial functional properties – for example, aluminium as an essential barrier layer in pouches or beverage cartons.

Aluminium as a material is generally regarded as highly recyclable. However, when it comes to the recyclability of aluminium-containing packaging, there is room for improvement, and enhancement in both packaging design and recycling infrastructure can help.

As a benchmark, the guidelines apply state-of-the-art collection, sorting, reprocessing and recycling infrastructure, which has reached the highest Technology Readiness Level (TRL 9) and is available in Europe.

They have been developed in close alignment with the current provisions and terminology of the PPWR.

Practical recommendations for different packaging formats

Concrete design recommendations are included for a range of selected aluminium packaging formats in order to help designers improve their packaging recyclability.

“With the Design for Recyclability Guidelines and Recyclability Assessment for Packaging containing Aluminium, we have developed a practical tool that supports all stakeholders along the value chain – from packaging designers and brand owners to policymakers. This will help ensure that aluminium packaging is even better integrated into the circular economy in the future,” explains Sandra Beckamp, Managing Director at Institut cyclos-HTP, who acted as project manager.

With these new guidelines, the aluminium packaging industry is making an important contribution to a European circular economy. They provide orientation for all stakeholders and support the shared goal of designing packaging that is not only recyclable but also resource-efficient and functional. This achievement has been made possible through the close cooperation of numerous associations and experts along the entire value chain – a clear signal that the industry is ready to tackle the PPWR requirements jointly and constructively.

The Design for Recyclability Guidelines and Recyclability Assessment for Packaging containing Aluminium are now available for download at D4R.alufoil.org.

First market launch in Belgium

SIG is making aseptic cartons with ASI-certified aluminium foil available to consumers for the first time in partnership with B-Better^®, a start-up brand from Unilever’s Future Platform.

Responsible aluminium sourcing

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) standard is designed to enhance traceability and responsibility in the aluminium supply chain. SIG is promoting responsible sourcing throughout the value chain by using aluminium from ASI-certified sources for the ultra-thin layer of foil in its packs.

ASI certification adds value for customers by further enhancing the sustainability credentials of their packaging in the eyes of consumers. Customers can now choose to include the ASI logo on their packs alongside the FSC^TM logo for responsibly-sourced paper board which has been available on any SIG pack since 2016.

The first market launch for SIG’s ASI-certified cartons will be in Belgium by the B-Better brand.

SIG’s commitment to responsible sourcing is part of the company’s bold ambition to go Way Beyond Good by putting more into the environment and society than it takes out.

SIG is the first in the industry to enable customers to demonstrate their commitment to responsible aluminium sourcing using the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certification.

Added value through responsible sourcing

SIG offers the world’s first aseptic carton packs that use foil certified to the ASI standard. This add value for customers, brands and retailers by promoting responsible sourcing throughout the value chain – from suppliers all the way through to consumers.

SIG customers also have the option to include the ASI label on packs to show consumers that SIG sources responsibly the aluminium it uses in the cartons – in the same way they can already include the FSCTM label on any SIG pack to show that the liquid paper board comes from responsible sources.

First certification for responsible aluminium

SIG was the first in the industry – and one of the first companies in the world – to achieve certification to the ASI Performance Standard Material Stewardship Principle at the corporate level, together with the ASI Chain of Custody certification for its production site in Austria. The company has now extended ASI Chain of Custody certification to all its carton sleeve production sites in Europe.

The ASI certification enables companies to audit the aluminium supply chain against strict standards on a broad range of ethical, environmental and social topics. Previously, there was no such certification available to certify the ultra-thin layer of aluminium foil used in SIG packs. SIG’s ASI Chain of Custody certification has made it possible for the ASI Standard to be put into practice for the first time in aseptic carton packs.

Europe-wide ASI certification is an important step towards SIG’s target to source 100 % of its key materials from certified sources as part of its ambition to go Way Beyond Good for the environment and society.