Test driving packages made of renewable raw materials with renewable energy

10.10.2017
First successful test drive for a packaging material containing renewable raw material
 
 
We have made a promise to reduce our climate impact by 40% by the end of 2020 in comparison to 2015. Our Vuosaari Roastery in Helsinki runs entirely on renewable energy and, in the countries of origin, we advise coffee growers on sustainable farming methods. Could we further reduce our climate impact with packaging?
 
The carbon footprint of foods mainly originates from the production phase. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the valuable product will not spoil after being packaged. Our packages are designed to be durable, but even they sometimes break before ending up in consumers’ kitchens. This year, we commissioned an extensive study to find out what causes vacuum coffee bags to break, and we are now planning corrective actions for our packaging lines and the transport chain. 
 

A new laminate in test use

 
Coffee requires tightly sealable packaging that protects it from factors such as oxygen, so it is extremely challenging to replace plastic made of fossil raw materials. We have now finally discovered a laminate that uses plastic made from a renewable raw material. This raw material is plant-based and, as it grows, the plant absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. This means that the carbon footprint of the laminate is considerably lower than that of traditional plastic laminate. 
 
We have now tested this laminate successfully on a small scale, with more extensive testing to continue during the autumn. We are already looking forward to early 2018 when we hope to package the first product—our Mundo coffee—in this laminate. 
 
 
 
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