SIG, a packaging solutions provider for aseptic liquid packaging cartons, has been awarded the platinum sustainability status in the EcoVadis rating for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The company is actively working towards expanding its market presence in South Asia with the foundation of its first manufacturing plant in India in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is growing its expertise in providing a sustainable, innovative, and versatile aseptic solution for packaging milk, milk-based products, and juices.
For the fifth consecutive year, SIG has been awarded the highest platinum sustainability status in the EcoVadis rating for corporate social responsibility (CSR). This ongoing platinum rating puts SIG in the top 1% of participating companies, who have been rigorously assessed by EcoVadis. The assessment process is designed to improve transparency and promote continuous improvement in sustainability in the supply chain, enabling customers to monitor performance and identify high-performing partners. The assessment methodology is based on international sustainability standards and supervised by a scientific committee of CSR and supply chain experts.
SIG’s range of juice cartonsSIG first achieved its top EcoVadis percentile position in 2017 and since then the company has continued to improve its overall score, driving progress towards its net-positive ambition to put more into society and the environment than it takes out, states a press release.
According to Vandana Tandan, head of markets in India and Bangladesh, the company is primarily focused on food and beverage companies, including dairy and other non-carbonated soft drinks. She said, “Once the first phase of this project is completed, the plant is expected to manufacture 4 billion packs per year following an investment of 100 million Euro investment between 2023-25. This will help us expand our reach and explore new markets in India and Bangladesh.”
The year 2023 has been exciting for SIG. “We celebrated our 170th anniversary, marking our journey as a leading provider of sustainable, innovative, and versatile packaging solutions. We aim to bring food products to consumers in a safe, sustainable, and affordable way, in collaboration with our customers,” Tandan adds.
Energy drinks and smoothie packaging rangeSIG’s packages are lightweight and designed efficiently to minimize raw material usage and reduce waste. Even the straws and caps in its packs are completely recyclable, thereby reducing our environmental carbon footprint. SIG provides a complete aseptic solution, including the entire filling machine from the filler to the downstream equipment, and supply of packaging material.
“Sustainability is at the core of SIG’s business model,” says Tandan. “We are committed to this cause. To meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) laid down by the United Nations by utilizing renewable paperboard for our aseptic packaging, sourced from responsibly managed forests. Additionally, we are actively working to increase the proportion of renewable materials in our carton packs to reduce our reliance on fossil-based resources and transition to a more sustainable packaging solution,” she says.
The Indian packaging market is evolving, with consumers increasingly opting for on-the-go foods and beverages. These changes can be attributed to rapid urbanization, a rising standard of living, increasing purchasing power, and growing awareness of health and the environment. “This presents an intriguing opportunity for us to expand our presence and tap into a growing market with SIG next generation filling line which has benefits and state-of-the-art technology.”
According to a market study by Mordor Intelligence, the India packaging market size is estimated at USD 84.37 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 142.56 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 11.06% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
100 ml pack range of CombiBlock, CombiStyle and CombiFitWhen it comes to packaging and printing trends, sustainability remains the foremost priority. Tandan said, “Using renewable materials, minimalist design, and eco-friendly printing materials can be instrumental in reducing environmental impact. As far as the packaging industry is concerned, in the year 2024, we anticipate more advancements in sustainability efforts. Additionally, we expect innovative designs and technology-driven processes to meet the evolving needs of the customers and consumers.”
