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The momentum in plant-based packaging has consumer industries rethinking their plastic packaging. A huge stressor for the environment, traditional plastics never truly biodegrade. Approximately 350 million tons of plastic waste is generated worldwide annually, but only 9% is mechanically recycled.[1] In turn, growing demand for packaging options with specific environmental attributes such as biobased content to reduce carbon footprint and meet corporate social responsibility goals has put plant-based resins in the limelight.
Plant-based packaging, commonly referred to as biobased packaging, aims to replace fossil-fuel based plastics by using renewable agriculture materials such as sugarcane, corn and potatoes. Leading the pack in this movement, Accredo Packaging has successfully commercialized 75% Braskem Sugarcane-based packaging pouches for years by replacing fossil-derived polyethylene plastics with sugarcane-based resin - without compromising quality or performance. This offers packaging with reduced environmental impact, easy to implement packaging solutions for a range of products including food, cosmetics, personal care and household goods.
From Sugarcane to Strong, Reliable Packaging
So how does sugarcane turn into plastic alternative packaging? Accredo Packaging has developed and launched a 100% Braskem I’m Green™ pouch that utilizes sugarcane-based resin. When harvested, the sugarcane is crushed and converted into sugar and bioethanol in a mill. Unlike conventional packaging, which relies on multiple resin grades, this solution uses the limited grades of sugarcane resin to match the performance of virgin plastic. Using precise equipment settings for temperature, pressure and cooling, Accredo ensures the pouches meet all performance standards without compromising appearance or quality. Strong and durable, the end product reveals that renewable resins can match the performance of virgin polyethylene plastics without compromising seal integrity, clarity or machinability.
Reducing Environmental Impact
Turning sugarcane resin into packaging is an extremely effective process for CO₂ reduction. Sugarcane captures CO₂ from the atmosphere during plant growth. According to Braskem[2], this biocapture effect can result in a carbon-negative footprint when considering the biogenic carbon absorbed during growth, though total lifecycle impacts vary by blend percentage and manufacturing processes. Replacing petroleum feedstocks with renewable options like sugarcane can reduce packaging’s carbon footprint at the material level. In fact, every ton of sugarcane-based resin avoids roughly 2.1 tons of CO₂ compared to fossil polyethylene, delivering measurable reductions[3]. This process also provides brands with a credible, quantifiable way to lower their Scope 3 packaging emissions. While some biobased packages are compostable, this is a mono-material biobased PE structure that can be recycled where film recycling facilities exist, such as participating retail store drop-off locations, allowing them to be turned into other products to help further support the circular economy, maximize value and reduce permanent waste.
A Total System Approach to Decarbonization
Biobased plant material is only one part of Accredo Packaging’s broader sustainability journey. Since opening in 2009, it was the first flexible packaging facility in North America to achieve LEED® Silver certification for its headquarters and manufacturing facility. Accredo Packaging has also made significant advancements in its goals to support its three sustainability pillars of reduce, renew and recycle. Most notably, the company has used 100% wind-generated electricity for its manufacturing facility operations for more than 15 years. Because of this, it maintains zero market-based Scope 2 emissions and continues to drive down Scope 1 emissions through operational efficiencies and data-driven improvements. Recent environmental performance highlights include:
- Increased post-consumer recycled (PCR) content to 4.28%, up from 2.02% in 2023.
- Reached 8.74% total recycled content, progressing towards the goal of 15% by FY2025.
- Reduced total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 184,944.69 tCO2e in 2023 to 179,562 tCO2e, a reduction of nearly 3% year-over-year.
- Supported the relaunch of the national flexible film drop-off directory through the Film and Flexibles Recycling Alliance (FFRA), co-founded by Accredo Packaging. This connects material innovation to actual end-of-life recovery, helping to ensure that renewable materials re-enter the value chain instead of landfills.
Packaging For a Sustainable Future
Not just an alternative solution, plant-based packaging materials are one approach to reducing fossil fuel dependency in packaging for the future. Shifting consumer behavior combined with environmental regulations and corporate sustainability goals continues to drive high demand for biobased and recycled content packaging solutions. Providing companies with commercially viable biobased resin, commercial-ready solutions, Accredo Packaging demonstrates how smarter material selection can reduce emissions while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and product quality. In turn, companies can lower their carbon footprint, enhance brand image and drive the movement of responsible consumption for future generations.
Author Bio
Treijon Johnson is the Director of Sustainability at Accredo Packaging. He leads climate strategy, packaging innovation, and circularity initiatives across North America and Asia. Recognized as a Circularity Emerging Leader, Trei advocates for equitable, science-based solutions that drive measurable progress toward a low-carbon, waste-free future.
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927125001352#bib13
[2] https://www.braskem.com.br/usa/news-detail/braskem-unveils-updated-life-cycle-assessments-for-im-greentm-bio-based-portfolio-reinforcing-commitment-to-sustainability
[3] https://www.braskem.com.br/usa/news-detail/braskems-biopolymers-avoid-emissions-of-over-5-million-tons-of-co2-in-10-years