Upfield has announced what it claims could be an industry first: plastic-free tubs made from compressed wet paper fibres for its plant butters and spreads.
The move is part of Upfield’s pledge to cut plastic use by 80% by 2030, and follows four years of collaboration with Footprint, MCC and Pagès Group.
David Haines, Group CEO for Upfield, said: “As a global leader in plant-based foods, we take our responsibility to make positive impacts seriously. Globally, 40% of all plastic produced is for packaging used once then discarded – it’s clear plastic waste poses one of our environment’s most critical challenges.” He added: “Consumers today demand products which benefit both people and planet – our plant butters and spreads do exactly that. We’re excited about the potential to launch this across our most iconic brands in some of our most important markets.”
Unlike many paper packaging solutions, Upfield’s paper tubs do not have a plastic liner, meaning they can be recycled alongside other paper and cardboard household waste.
Karina Cerdeira, Head of Packaging for Upfield, said: “We’re proud to have created, with Footprint, an innovative paper-based tub that’s durable, oil-resistant and appealing, and which many thought would be impossible with paper. But after years of dedicated focus from joint Upfield and Footprint R&D teams and dozens of prototypes, we made the impossible, possible.”
Yoke Chung, Co-founder and Chief Technology & Innovation Officer for Footprint, added: “Footprint’s commitment to a more sustainable planet is showcased through our partnership with Upfield. The introduction of a ground-breaking solution, in collaboration with Upfield, establishes a pioneering industry standard. This marks the introduction of the first oil-resistant paper tub for plant-based spreads. We’re proud to collaborate with Upfield on this transformative endeavour, as it resonates with our shared objective of assisting customers in realizing their sustainability goals. This collaborative effort underscores the transformative influence of innovation in fostering positive environmental change to shape a brighter future for everyone.”