Cartonplast Ibérica, a pioneer in the management of reusable transport packaging, has delivered itS IV Sustainability Award. This year’s winners were Grupo Damm, in the beverage packaging (beer) category; Suntory Global Spirits, in the beverage packaging category; and GB Foods, in the food packaging category. Furthermore, the jury awarded a special prize for the use of the new plastic pallets from Cartonplast to Idilia and Vicrila for their project to implement these new recyclable and sustainable packaging systems.
With these awards the company rewards,for the third consecutive year,the packaging and glass companies in the beverage and/or food sector that contribute most to generate a positive impact on the environment.
“When we started celebrating these awards we didn’t imagine the wonderful welcome they would receive not only from the awarded companies, but from the entire sector and the supply chain in general. We know that awareness is great,and that everyone’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment is even greater. And all this without losing efficiency in shipping and transport. Congratulations to each and every one”, comments José María carrasco, general director of Cartonplast Ibérica.
The ceremony took place in a gala held at the Empack fair, which was also attended by Antonio Dobón, Area Manager Life Cycle Assessment of ITENE and Antonio Romero, expert and senior advisor of circular economy, with presentations on responsibility and circularity in the packaging sector .
“The life cycle of products is a basic aspect for sustainability, and it is indeed by analyzing it in its entirety, in a quantitative, truthful and coordinated way, that we can truly evaluate the environmental impact of a product. Cartonplast is a good example of how the life cycle analysis, which we have been carrying out for them as 2021, can really make a difference”Dobon explained.
For his part,Romero spoke about the fact that sustainability is a long-distance race in which companies must work and compete not only with other companies,but with regulations and with their own strategies and profitability: “The Royal Decree on Packaging is mandatory and,in this context,there are objectives such as the reuse of packaging that are arduous to achieve. Having allied partners like Cartonplast is of great help”.
A prize for the winners and for the environment
The jury, made up of members of associations, autonomous companies and Cartonplast, assessed the extent and implementation of good practices in the use of plastic inserts and pallets, as well as their value in reducing the environmental impact within the chain of supply of each of the finalists.
Your final decision came down to:
- DAMM Groupfor good management in the use of Cartonplast Interposers, avoiding the emission of 28.5 Tn of CO2 eq in 2023, in the category of Good Practices in Use of interposers – Beverage (beer) packaging machines.
- Suntory Global Spiritsfor the good management of Cartonplast interlayers in Iberia, avoiding the emission of 12.31 Tn of CO2 eq in 2023, in the category of Good Practices in Use of Interposer – Beverage packaging machines.
- GB Foodfor the good management of Cartonplast interlayers,avoiding the emission of 7.40 Tn of CO2 eq in 2023 in the category of good Practices in Use of interposers - Food packaging machines.
- Idyllic and vibrantfor its project to use Cartonplast’s B2B plastic pallets with a saving of 2.5 Tn of CO2 saved in 2023, in the Collaboration projects category.
In total, these four award-winning projects alone saved the equivalent of 51 Tn of CO2 thanks to good management of reusable plastic inserts and pallets for the transport of Cartonplast, to the benefit not only of the environment but of society as a whole.
This year too, Cartonplast is awarding the in-kind prize for this competition Sustainable forestsWhich A total of 250 trees will be planted on behalf of the winners. which will help them continue to offset their CO2 emissions and which will absorb a total of 41 Tn of CO2 over a 40-year period. This reforestation will take place in the areas devastated by fires in Spain, in particular this year in the Montgrí Natural Park (Gerona), Solaruze (Guipúzcoa) and Navalacruz (Ávila) with the aim of restoring and protecting these ecosystems of great value for the our country. Since the start of these Cartonplast Sustainability Awards, almost 900 trees have already been planted, helping to absorb up to 140 tonnes of CO2.
Furthermore,each of the winners received a commemorative trophy and thanks from the supply chain and its companies for their good management and commitment to the environment. “The greatest reward is knowing that we will continue to work together, from all corners of the supply chain, for the industry to advance the necessary sustainable change. For our part, we at Cartonplast will be there to support you.”, concludes Néstor González, Group Sales and Commercial Projects manager at Cartonplast Ibérica.
Source: Cartonplast
How are companies in the packaging industry measuring their environmental impact through life cycle assessments?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Antonio Dobón on Sustainability in Packaging
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Antonio.Thank you for joining us today to discuss the exciting developments in enduring packaging. Cartonplast Ibérica recently presented its IV Sustainability Awards, highlighting the efforts made by leading companies in the beverage and food sectors. What does this mean for the packaging industry?
Antonio Dobón: Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be here.The IV Sustainability Awards recognize companies that are making meaningful strides toward reducing their environmental impact.This year’s winners—Grupo Damm, Suntory Global Spirits, and GB Foods—exemplify how the industry can innovate in packaging while maintaining efficiency in logistics. These awards serve as a benchmark that encourages other companies to adopt sustainable practices.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the importance of innovation. Can you elaborate on how the use of new recyclable plastic pallets, which were awarded a special prize, contributes to environmental sustainability?
Antonio Dobón: Absolutely! Traditional pallets can often be single-use or challenging to recycle. The new plastic pallets offered by Cartonplast are designed for reuse and recycling, significantly reducing waste. They contribute to a circular economy by ensuring materials are kept in circulation rather than ending up in landfills. This not only lowers carbon emissions associated with production but also promotes a more sustainable supply chain.
Time.news Editor: José María Carrasco spoke about the growing awareness and commitment to reducing carbon emissions within the industry. Do you think this level of awareness is translating into action?
Antonio Dobón: Yes, we’re seeing a real shift. When we began analyzing the life cycle of products, companies started to understand the holistic impact of their operations. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it’s becoming a core part of strategic planning. The competition is now not only in product quality but also in how responsibly companies can operate.
Time.news Editor: That’s encouraging to hear. You also mentioned the role of life cycle assessment in evaluating environmental impact.Can you share how this methodology works in practice?
Antonio Dobón: Certainly. A life cycle assessment (LCA) looks at the entire journey of a product—from raw material extraction through production, usage, and eventual disposal. It identifies energy use, emissions, and waste at each stage. For Cartonplast, implementing LCA has allowed us to quantify and understand where improvements can be made, driving more informed decisions about materials and processes that benefit the environment.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like companies are now equipped with the tools to measure and manage their impact effectively. What challenges do you see companies facing as they strive to become more sustainable?
Antonio Dobón: It’s a long-distance race, as Antonio Romero aptly put it during the awards ceremony. Companies need to contend not only with market competition but also with evolving regulations and internal strategies. Harmonizing sustainability goals with operational efficiency can be tricky.It requires a culture shift within companies—investing in education, training, and sometimes facing short-term setbacks for long-term benefits.
Time.news Editor: With sustainability becoming increasingly important, what role do you see for collaborative efforts between companies in the industry?
Antonio Dobón: Collaboration is essential. Sharing best practices, resources, and even technologies can amplify impact across the sector.Working together can also help set industry standards that push everyone toward more sustainable practices. This is especially crucial in the packaging industry, where interdependent supply chains are common.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Antonio, for providing such valuable insight into the sustainability initiatives in the packaging industry. It’s clear that we have much to look forward to as more companies commit to sustainable solutions.
Antonio Dobón: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time, and I look forward to seeing how the industry continues to evolve. Sustainability is not just an option anymore; it’s becoming a necessity for survival.