Packaging has a short life, but its impact is long term. Most of that impact is decided before production starts: what a pack is made of, how much material it needs, and what happens to it afterwards. At Royal Vaassen we develop packaging materials that protect, seal and run well on your line, and that at the same time reduce raw material use, waste and emissions.
Three routes to a more sustainable pack
Less material – Lightweight designs that keep the same quality and processability.
Recycling-friendly materials – Paper, aluminium and combinations of the two, with coatings chosen so they do not get in the way later.
Closed-loop aluminium – A recycling service that keeps your aluminium waste in the loop.
Closed-loop aluminium: our recycling service
Reuse prevents waste
Once packaging becomes waste, recyclability decides what happens next. Our recycling service helps customers collect aluminium waste separately and deliver it clean for reprocessing, instead of it being incinerated or downcycled.
95% energy saving
Recycling aluminium takes only 5% of the energy needed to produce new aluminium. Keeping the material in a closed loop saves raw materials and can deliver a meaningful reduction in energy use and emissions.
Less material, more impact
We reduce material use wherever we can. Our designs are lightweight without giving up quality or processability, so the pack still runs on your existing line.
Multi-material laminates are harder to recycle, so we work towards mono-material structures wherever the application allows. Around 60% of our sales are already mono-material, and for the remaining multi-material solutions we keep developing alternatives. Plastic is used only where unavoidable, preferably as post-consumer recycled material (PCR).
Where a paper-based structure is feasible, barrier paper is one of the alternatives we developed in house.
Responsible choices in the chain
Sustainable packaging starts with where the materials come from. We opt for:
- Paper with an FSC® or PEFC quality mark (FSC®-C123892)
- Aluminium with a low carbon footprint
- Coatings that do not interfere with later recycling
We work to BRCGS Packaging Materials and ISO 9001:2015. Our full list of certifications is on our certificates page.
Sustainable in-house production
Our electricity comes from hydropower and the carbon footprint of our natural gas is offset. We separate and reuse waste streams where we can, and we keep investing in solutions that reduce energy consumption and waste.
Responsible water management
Water is a shared and essential resource, and we are committed to managing it responsibly across our operations. Our approach focuses on:
- preventing and controlling water pollution
- reducing water withdrawals through more efficient use
- managing water safely for our employees and the surrounding community
- full compliance with applicable water-related laws and mandatory standards
This supports Sustainable Development Goal 6 on access to water and sanitation for all, and contributes to the responsible use and protection of water resources.
Stronger together: our role in 4evergreen
Royal Vaassen is an active member of 4evergreen, an alliance of more than 100 European organisations working on the circularity of fibre-based packaging. It means the choices we make for your packaging are informed by what the wider industry is learning.
People make the difference
As an accredited training company we invest in training, guidance and craftsmanship, with room to grow for both young professionals and career changers.
Sustainability Report 2023-2024
We have published a sustainability report every two years since 2022, and report annually in line with the ESG Data Convergence Initiative (EDCI) and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). The 2023-2024 report sets out our choices, results and ambitions, and is a considerable step up from the 2021-2022 report.
Thinking about a more sustainable pack?
Tell us what your packaging needs to do and where you are running into limits. Email us at sustainability@royalvaassen.com if you would like more information.