Fazer is launching a chocolate Christmas calendar made from lightweight and recyclable dispersion-coated paperboard from Metsä Board, a European producer of premium fresh fiber paperboard.
The choice of material will reduce the use of plastic by 1,200 kg per year compared to the PE-coated board used previously, and will also improve the recycling of the calendar. The wood fiber used in Fazer’s Christmas calendar can be fully recycled.
The Finland-based Fazer operates in the bakery, confectionery, non-dairy, and plant-based food markets.
The lightweight paperboard used in the calendar supports the circular economy and reduces waste. Because of the lightweight and resource-efficient design, the carbon footprint of the calendar carton is also one-quarter lower than the previous one.
Photo: Metsä Board“Climate change mitigation and the circular economy are important themes for Fazer. The material change for the Christmas calendar is part of Fazer’s responsible packaging program, which consists of three elements: reducing the amount of packaging materials used, developing completely new types of more ecological packaging solutions, and improving the recyclability of packaging” says Piia Soininen-Tengvall, Packaging Development director at Fazer. “Chocolate calendars need a layer to protect the chocolate, which is usually plastic. This year, we are replacing the PE-coated material with recyclable Metsä Board paperboard.”
“Our fresh fiberboard is a safe choice for Christmas calendars, especially when the chocolate is in direct contact with the board. In addition, our dispersion-coated board has neutral sensory properties. In practice, this means that the chocolate in the calendars retains its excellent taste until the consumer receives it as intended,” says Olli Haaranoja, Sales director at Metsä Board.
