SIG Combibloc Obeikan receives environmental award of the year at Gulfood Manufacturing

The world’s first aseptic carton pack linked to 100% plant-based renewable materials has received the Environmental Award of the Year at the Gulfood Manufacturing Industry Excellence Awards.

The SIGNATURE PACK from SIG Combibloc Obeikan (SIG CBOB), one of the world’s leading suppliers of carton packaging and filling machines for food and beverage, was recognised for the contribution that the exceptional packaging provides to the food and beverage industry.

The Gulfood Manufacturing Industry Excellence Awards rewards best practices and innovations within the value chain of the food manufacturing industry, with expert jury members including international representatives of the food processing and packaging industries, graphics experts, equipment suppliers, scientists, the trade press, the government as well as environmental and trade organisations.

The jury’s verdict stated that: “SIGNATURE Pack is an excellent innovation in reducing aluminium and plastics use in packaging – great for the environment!”

The pack provides a consistent answer to reducing the use of fossil raw materials as well as reducing the carbon footprint and while most companies are still in concept phase with ideas, SIGNATURE PACK is a solution ready for the market.

Min-Kin Mak, Deputy Vice President Corporate Development and Digital Transformation at SIG, and Ghassan Elassi, Chief Human Resource Officer at SIG Combibloc Obeikan, received the award on behalf of SIG at Gulfood Manufacturing.

Min-Kin Mak said: “Sustainable and renewable packaging highlights our company's commitment to contribute more to society and the environment than we take out.  

“We are very proud that our SIGNATURE PACK is recognised once again to be an exceptionally eco-friendly packaging. It drives the replacement of conventional plastics from fossil fuels to certified and sustainable plant-based sources. This is the third environmental-based award for SIGNATURE PACK and proves that our packaging adds value for the industry and our society – at an international level.”

SIGNATURE PACK is a value-added solution that meets the demands of the industry and today’s consumer expectations for more environmentally responsible products.

It is one of the latest innovations from SIG as it strives to offer customers the most sustainable food packaging solutions as part of its mission to go Way Beyond Good.

The polymers used for laminating the paperboard and making the closure of the SIGNATURE PACK are 100% linked to plant-based material via a mass balance system, whereby plant-based raw materials are mixed in with conventional fossil raw materials to produce the polymers.

This means that for the polymers used in the SIGNATURE PACK, an equivalent amount of bio-based feedstock went into the manufacturing of the polymers. The amount of plant-based material is certified by recognised and audited certification schemes to ensure strict traceability and accountability.