Press Information

SIG Combibloc
Press Information
SIG Combibloc first manufacturer to set historic industry milestone
Sustainability goal achieved: from August, 100 % of
SIG carton packs can be labelled with the FSCTM logo
June 2016. SIG Combibloc has achieved an important sustainability goal: thanks to a global
network of cardboard suppliers who are certified according to the criteria of the Forest
Stewardship CouncilTM (FSCTM), from August 2016 100 per cent of SIG Combibloc carton
packs for food and beverages can be labelled with the logo of the FSCTM. This means SIG
Combibloc can guarantee that, starting from August 2016, sufficient quantities of wood from
FSCTM-certified, responsibly managed forests have been bought for the manufacture of the
unprocessed cardboard, so that every customer across the world can bring to market SIG
carton packs with the FSCTM label, now and in future.
Rolf Stangl, CEO of SIG Combibloc: “As one of the leading manufacturers of carton packs for
foods and beverages, safeguarding the planet’s forests is a key corporate goal for us. Hand
in hand with that goes our commitment to ensuring that the cardboard we use for our carton
packs comes 100 per cent from certified sources. We believe the FSC certification system is
currently the most credible and the most widely accepted system for sustainable forest
management. Globally, FSC-certified forests are still only available in a limited quantity.
Through our well-developed network of cardboard suppliers, all of whom have certified
cardboard production plants, we’re able to ensure that we have access to sufficient quantities
of FSC unprocessed cardboard. As the first manufacturer of food and beverage packaging in
the world to do so, we have therefore created the conditions to ensure all carton packs we
produce can carry the FSC logo. We’re very proud of that, because it’s a key goal within our
corporate strategy, the Corporate Compass”.
SIG Combibloc
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In SIG Combibloc’s Corporate Compass, the responsible procurement of all materials,
products and services used at SIG Combibloc is an important cornerstone. With its
commitment to label 100% of all SIG carton packs with the FSC logo, SIG Combibloc is
consistently continuing its past success in the responsible procurement and processing of
materials.
For instance, SIG Combibloc was the leading manufacturer to have all its production sites
world-wide certified in accordance with the FSC’s criteria for a continuous product chain of
custody (CoC). The FSC CoC certificate provides documentary evidence of the high
environmental standards to which SIG Combibloc works. Similarly, obtaining this certification
enabled SIG Combibloc to be one of the first manufacturers to offer food packaging that was
permitted to carry the ‘FSC Mix’ label.
Kim Carstensen, Director General at FSC International: “Manufacturers and retailers can
demonstrate their environmental and social commitment by offering FSC-certified products.
The FSC label on carton packs shows that the processed wood fibres used come from
responsibly managed, FSC-certified sources, and is a guarantee for consumers that by
buying that particular carton they are acting responsibly. Food and beverage manufacturers
can make important contributions to saving the environment and safeguarding social
interests in the forest by working with FSC, and also secure a crucial competitive advantage
for themselves.”
Recognition for the commitment of SIG Combibloc has also come from the World Wide Fund
for Nature (WWF). The international environmental organisation actively supports the work of
the FSC, and advises consumers to look out for the FSC official logo when buying paper and
wood products. Johannes Zahnen, Officer Forest Policy at WWF Deutschland: “SIG
Combibloc is close to achieving its ambitious goal of producing and selling exclusively FSClabelled carton packs. We appreciate the dedication and leadership of SIG Combibloc with
regard to responsible forest management. The WWF is confident that FSC can make a
significant contribution to forest conservation and to better forest management. Apart from
protected areas only responsible forest management can prevent the complete destruction of
our forests. ‘Preservation through responsible use’ – this motto will ensure the continued
survival of the forest, its functionality and its biodiversity. By opting for SIG carton packs with
the FSC label, food and beverage manufacturers are emphasising their environmentally and
socially responsible thinking and actions, and enabling consumers to choose an
environmentally beneficial product, as well.”
SIG Combibloc
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New design policy
Each food and beverage manufacturer can make its own decision on displaying the FSC
label visibly on the carton pack, and thus clearly positioning itself as an environmentally
responsible company. To give manufacturers enough scope to integrate the FSC label into
the packaging design, in consultation with the FSC, SIG Combibloc has developed a new
design policy for carton packs. The FSC label can now be placed on one of the four fully
printable display surfaces of the carton packs, but also on the so-called lateral ‘ears’ of the
cartons, or on the carton base. This solution is an effective option, for instance, for small-size
carton packs with limited space. For manufacturers who want to make the benefits of FSClabelled packaging clear and at the same time present these benefits on the carton in a way
that appeals to consumers on an emotional level, the FSC has also developed a new logo
with the slogan ‘Forests for all forever’.
Infobox FSC:
The FSCTM label
The Forest Stewardship CouncilTM (FSC) is a global, independent, non-profit
organisation that is committed to promoting an internationally binding scheme for
responsible forest management. For this purpose, the FSC issues certificates for wood
and wood products that originate from socially and environmentally responsible forestry.
The FSC label is assigned to products whose manufacture complies with the FSC global
standards. These standards include, for instance, compliance with forestry laws,
guaranteeing species protection, and the preservation of environmentally sensitive
forests.
TM
TM
SIG Combibloc (FSC trademark licence code: FSC C020428) is one of the world’s leading system
suppliers of carton packaging and filling machines for beverages and food. In 2015 the company
achieved a turnover of 1,720 million Euro with around 5,000 employees in more than 40 countries.
SIG Combibloc
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Picture captions:
Carstensen/Stangl:
Kim Carstensen, Director General at FSC International (left), in conversation with Rolf Stangl, CEO of
SIG Combibloc.
Photo: SIG Combibloc
FSC – design:
SIG Combibloc has developed a new design policy, in cooperation with the FSC. The FSC label can
now be placed on one of the four fully printable display surfaces of the carton packs (example
centre), and also on the so-called lateral ‘ears’ of the cartons (right) or on the carton base.
Photo: SIG Combibloc
SIG Combibloc
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FSC – slogan:
A new logo with the slogan ‘Forests for all forever’, designed to appeal on an emotional level,
illustrates the benefits of FSC-labelled packaging.
Photo: SIG Combibloc
Your contact:
Heike Thevis – Press Officer
SIG International Services GmbH
Rurstraße 58, D-52441 Linnich, Germany
Tel.: +49 2462 79 2608
Fax: +49 2462 79 17 2608
Email: [email protected]