Colpac is proud to have achieved ‘Highly Commended’ in two categories at the Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) awards. Colpac was shortlisted for its use of groundbreaking direct food contact ink technology to eliminate added plastic, and for its inspirational net-zero programme, which achieved a remarkable 22% carbon emissions reduction in its third year.
Product Innovation
The FPA’s product innovation awards celebrate key food packaging projects that contribute to areas such as waste reduction, the meeting of safety and hygiene regulations, and the development of new materials. Colpac develops food safe packaging and is thrilled to have been recognised for pioneering the use of direct food contact ink technology in foodservice, utilising it to eliminate plastic from Pret’s platter bases.
This custom food packaging resulted in simpler recycling of the platter bases due to replacing fibreboard composite materials with uncoated paperboard and direct food contact inks, which are recyclable through any paper re-pulping process.
Replacing plastic laminate, alongside lightweighting the paperboard material used, is projected to achieve 9407kg* of packaging material savings/year and reduce projected EPR unit cost by an impressive 55%.
“We are delighted to have been recognised for our product innovation by the FPA! We take great pride in the partnerships that we build with our customers and this project is a fantastic example of how we drive and implement innovative concepts for our customers’ food packaging. Congratulations to our fantastic team for bringing this innovation to life.” Andrew Grimbaldeston, Managing Director at Colpac
Having set the bar for the use of direct food contact inks in foodservice packaging, Colpac is now working with other customers to implement this technology.
Environment Sustainability
The environment sustainability award celebrates programmes that aim to achieve environmental improvement and resource efficiency across areas such as energy and emissions. Colpac’s 22% carbon emissions reduction was achieved through transport optimisation, on-site energy reduction and purchasing policy development, and through fostering company-wide buy-in for its net-zero programme.
The team pushed even further by transforming its data collection methods and even developed bespoke emissions factors to reflect real-world data. These enhancements demonstrate Colpac’s consistent dedication to elevating data integrity, reinforcing the company’s leadership in carbon reporting and best practice.
“We are so pleased to have achieved ‘highly commended’ in recognition of our net-zero programme! As an SME, we aren’t mandated to submit carbon reporting, but sustainability is central to our ethos and this award is a terrific celebration of that. Our recent results are a real testament to the team members from across Colpac who have made this happen.” Talia Goldman, ESG Director at Colpac
Colpac’s leading net-zero programme and determination to continuously improve its data inspires other manufacturing companies, both small and large, to make change.
Further information:
- Colpac’s use of direct food contact inks project case study: https://colpacpackaging.com/case-studies/direct-food-contact-inks-pret/
- Colpac’s 22% carbon emissions reduction: https://colpacpackaging.com/news/colpac-achieves-22-carbon-emissions-reduction-in-year-3-of-net-zero-programme/