The first ASI-labelled cartons were launched by customers such as B-Better (from Unilever’s Better Future Platform), Riedel and DRINKS3 in 2019

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SIG makes ASI-certified aluminium standard. (Credit: SIG Combibloc Group Ltd)

SIG today announces another milestone in its ambition to go Way Beyond Good for society and the environment by offering ASI-certified aluminium as standard for all SIG packs in Europe.

SIG is the first in the industry to obtain certification to both the ASI (Aluminium Stewardship Initiative) Performance and Chain of Custody standards and is the only aseptic carton producer to offer ASI-certified aluminium in its packs.

The first ASI-labelled cartons were launched by customers such as B-Better (from Unilever’s Better Future Platform), Riedel and DRINKS3 in 2019. Now, ASI-certified aluminium will come as standard for all SIG packs in Europe. The new aluminium standard will be introduced in June, starting with customers launching new products or designs.

ASI certification helps to drive improvements for people and the environment throughout the aluminium value chain,” said Carsten Haerup Christensen, Vice President Cluster Europe at SIG. “And it offers SIG customers another credible label, alongside FSCTM certification for paper board, to show consumers that they are committed to responsible sourcing of their packaging.”

As part of its commitment to offer customers 100% renewable packaging, SIG has already developed the industry’s first aluminium-free solutions and is working to eliminate aluminium from its packs. But an ultra-thin barrier layer of aluminium foil (ten times thinner than a human hair) is still needed for a number of shelf-stable products filled in SIG packs to protect them from light and oxygen, and keep products like fruit juices safe and nutritious.

Certification to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) standards demonstrates that aluminium comes from responsible sources. ASI certification aims to enhance traceability and responsibility in the aluminium supply chain through audits against strict standards on ethical, environmental and social criteria.

To help track responsibly sourced aluminium, SIG has a tracking system in place that is audited to maintain certification.

Responsible sourcing commitment

Sourcing raw materials from certified responsible sources is an established pillar of SIG’s commitment to go Way Beyond Good for society and the environment. The company’s target is to source 100% of the key raw materials in its packs from certified sources by the end of 2020.

Since 2016, customers have been able to include the FSCTM label on any of SIG’s cartons to show that the wood used to manufacture the paper board is from sustainably managed forests and other controlled sources.

With ASI-certified aluminium as standard from now on, SIG customers in Europe have the option to include the ASI label on packs, to show consumers that they are using responsibly-sourced aluminium in their packaging. This adds value for SIG customers by further enhancing the sustainability credentials of their packaging in the eyes of consumers.

Source: Company Press Release