February 23, 2021

HKScan introduces wood-based plastic for product packaging

Utilising wood-based packaging plastics is a step towards carbon neutrality for an entire food chain - which is the aim of HKScan's Zero Carbon climate plan, the company said.

HKScan's cooperative partners in this type of venture include wood-based plastics developer Woodly Oy and packaging film producer Wipak as the company takes great strides towards carbon neutrality.

"HKScan is renewing its packaging to make it even more responsible. Our goal is to ensure that all our packaging is recyclable by the end of 2025, at the latest. At the same time, we aim to reduce the carbon footprint of our packaging by 20% and the amount of packaging plastics by 20% from the levels in 2019," said Markus Gotthardt, vice president of commercial for HKScan in Finland.

HKScan is working with Woodly Oy to develop a new type of plastic based on wood cellulose. Through this cooperation, HKScan will be the first company to have exclusive rights to use the wood-based Woodly plastics in meat products sold in Finland. The company will utilise the plastics on select grilling sausage packages during the coming summer.

"By using the carbon neutral Woodly component, we will reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of the ready packaging film by more than 50% in comparison to traditional plastic packaging," said Gotthardt.

The main raw component in Woodly materials, namely coniferous cellulose, comes from certified, sustainably managed coniferous forests. The renewable aspect of the material makes it a viable option to replace packaging materials made from fossil ingredients. Packaging film made from Woodly materials is manufactured and converted for HKScan's use by Wipak, a company operating as part of Wihuri Group in Finland. Woodly-based packaging materials are recycled as plastics.

Over the past few years, HKScan has invested heavily in the planning of its packaging and optimal use of packaging materials, according to the company.

"While it is vital for us to develop the environmental friendliness of our packaging, it is also important to remember that the primary purpose of packaging is, however, to protect and preserve foods and to reduce food waste. Woodly materials meet these criterias", Gotthardt said.

- HKScan