Amcor accelerates environmental responsibility action with three-pronged approach and US$100M annual R&D investment

29 Jan 2021 --- Amcor is laying out a roadmap for its sustainability goal to make 100 percent of its packaging reusable or recyclable by 2025. After setting the goal in 2018, the packaging giant is claiming substantial progress in various areas of its business and taking a three-pronged approach to ensure its targets are met. 

The targets include innovating product designs to be recycled or reused, collaborating with other organizations to make recycling widely available and informing consumers about how to participate in keeping waste out of the environment. 

Speaking to PackagingInsights, David Clark, Amcor's vice president of sustainability, tells of the company’s achievements and the distance still to be covered. 

“By weight, 61 percent of our flexible packaging, over 95 percent of our rigid packaging and 100 percent of our specialty cartons portfolio is designed to be recyclable. We are both proud of these achievements and already focused on raising this to 100 percent of our portfolio by 2025.”

“Despite significant progress, there is work to be done,” he remarks.

“For technically challenging products, where solutions do not already exist that combine product performance with recyclability, we have assembled groups of engineers to seek breakthrough solutions. These innovation streams draw on the combined experience of our experts globally, leveraging our combined specialisms.”

Product innovation 
Amcor invests US$100 million every year into R&D.

This year, Amcor released its AmLite HeatFlex solution for retort packaging – the “world’s first” recyclable pouch for products such as pet food and microwaveable soups.

Over 100 million pounds of PCR has been used by Amcor over the last four years. More broadly, the impact on Amcor’s portfolio can be seen in its sales, with US$7.7 billion in revenue generated from packaging meeting recyclability guidelines.

Highlighted products include:

• AmPrima recycle ready solutions – a portfolio of more sustainable packaging solutions, available in a wide range of formats.
• Eco-Tite R – the first recyclable shrink bag for meat and cheese.
• AmLite Recyclable – new and recyclable, metal-free packaging for a range of food and healthcare applications.

Significant improvements in the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in rigid packaging, including the commercialization of a range of 100 percent PCR solutions and more than 100 million pounds of recycled content used annually over the last four years.

Where technology already exists, Amcor is working to increase sustainability-related features – such as reducing weight to decrease products’ CO2 impact.

The company is also producing packaging made from multiple materials – including paper and paperboard, aluminum and resins – so that more of its packaging is recyclable wherever the right infrastructure is in place. 

Headquartered in Australia, Amcor has over 35,000 employees. Collaborations
Effective waste management infrastructures are critical in preventing packaging ending up in the environment, Amcor says. 

“Where policymakers have dedicated the right focus, governance and attention to recycling infrastructure, positive outcomes for the environment have been achieved,” the company highlights.

To address this issue at scale and improve consistency of infrastructure across the world, Amcor is working with expert groups to run pilot programs, align standards, and advise on how to expand and improve waste management and recycling infrastructure.

Amcor points to several key collaborations: 

• A partnership with Materials Recovery for the Future to promote recycling of flexible packaging in the US. 
• Work with A Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging to develop recycling infrastructure for flexible packaging in Europe.
• The EMF Project Barrier project, of which Amcor is a leading member, helping develop a global design-for-recyclability standard for packaging typically seen as difficult to recycle.

Clark emphasizes that despite these developments, companies like Amcor require more help from government. 

“It’s clear that recycling infrastructure and waste management more broadly is an area that needs significant global development.” 

“At Amcor, we’re committed to lending our expertise to help facilitate the expansion of the required infrastructure, but there is also a need for greater commitments at a governmental level to tackle the scale of the system.”

Amcor research has revealed most consumers follow instructions on packaging disposal.Educational initiatives 
Amcor also spotlights its work with customers to improve public understanding and participation in packaging recycling and reuse. 

Amcor’s company research has revealed widespread public confusion regarding recycling labels, which it says negatively impacts recycling rates.

Amcor is therefore focussing on increasing its use of PCR and post-industrial resin (PIR) – which demonstrates the effectiveness of recycling to consumers and reduces the use of virgin plastic, despite a global shortage in PCR supply. 

Highlighted products in this area include:

• Last year’s use of 83,917 tons of PCR. 
• Amcor’s rigid packaging being certified as 95 percent compliant with the Consumer Goods’ Forum’s industry leading design-rules to encourage recycling.
• Amcor also produced L’Oreal’s 86 percent PCR bottle for its “All Nighter” setting spray, which will save 46 tons of virgin plastic from being produced annually. 

A survey conducted by Amcor last year found that consumers were more willing to pay more for differentiated eco-friendly packaging. In a survey of 4,000 participants, 83 percent said they check on pack instructions on how to properly dispose of the packaging. 

By Louis Gore-Langton