European paper sack industry sets course for net zero

The European paper sack and sack kraft paper industry has taken a decisive step toward developing a clear pathway to achieve net zero. The current focus is on identifying the key contributors to the industry’s carbon footprint and defining priority areas for decarbonisation. This initiative builds upon the life cycle inventory and carbon footprint project first launched by the sector more than 20 years ago. Close cooperation among all stakeholders along the paper sack value chain is expected to foster knowledge sharing and support the transition toward climate neutrality by 2050.

“Many EUROSAC and CEPI Eurokraft member companies are making excellent progress in their decarbonisation efforts – each of them with their own strategy,” said EUROSAC President Alessandro Selmin. “As an industry, it is equally important to align collectively on the path towards net zero. Sustainability has always inspired innovation in our sector, and the development of a net zero pathway will encourage collaboration and drive us to continuously improve both our environmental impact and our packaging solutions for our customers.”

The net zero roadmap is a joint project of the European Paper Sack Research Group (ESG). For more than two decades, ESG has collected life cycle inventory (LCI) and carbon footprint data for sack kraft paper and paper sacks every three years. This extensive database forms the backbone of the net zero pathway, with the most recent data from 2024 scheduled to be incorporated by the end of 2025.

Methodological approach

The calculations and targets for the net zero roadmap are aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) and the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The focus is on assessing emissions at the industry level, rather than for individual products. Distinct priority areas are identified for sack kraft producers and paper sack converters, reflecting their different challenges.

The roadmap covers all three emission scopes defined by the GHG Protocol:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from on-site fuel combustion and process emissions (e.g. electricity, heat, steam, wastewater treatment).
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat or cooling.
• Scope 3: Other indirect emissions from purchased goods and services, such as forestry products, pulp, films, inks, outsourced transport or waste treatment. These are typically the most difficult to influence.

Focus areas for reducing emissions

The most effective ways to reduce Scope 1 emissions include improving energy efficiency and transitioning to cleaner energy sources such as biofuels, solar, wind or hydropower. Scope 2 emissions can be lowered by purchasing electricity from low-carbon or renewable sources. For Scope 3, selecting materials and suppliers with lower emissions profiles is crucial, as these often represent the largest share of the total carbon footprint.

In 2021, the main contributors to the European paper sack industry’s footprint were identified as purchased sack kraft paper and plastic films, both major components of Scope 3.

Continuous improvement of CO₂ performance

Historical data demonstrate significant progress in reducing the carbon footprint of the European paper sack and sack kraft paper industry. Between 2007 and 2021, the fossil carbon impact per tonne of sack kraft paper fell by approximately 26%, from 570 kg CO₂e to 421 kg CO₂e, mainly due to lower emissions from purchased grid electricity and reduced fossil fuel use at paper mills.

For converters, these upstream reductions translate directly into Scope 3 benefits. On a per-sack basis, the average footprint decreased by 28%, from 118 g CO₂e per sack in 2007 to 86 g CO₂e in 2021. These results confirm that decarbonisation measures already implemented across the supply chain are delivering measurable benefits and laying the groundwork for the industry’s net zero strategy.

Collaboration driving innovation

The EUROSAC and CEPI Eurokraft associations unite sack kraft paper producers, converters and manufacturers of films, adhesives and machinery, fostering close cooperation across the value chain. “We benefit from already working very closely together,” noted Selmin. “This strong collaboration empowers us to drive positive change across the entire paper sack value chain and makes it easier to address Scope 3 emissions collectively.”

Recent examples highlight the power of joint innovation. A collaboration between plastic film producer W. Gröning and kraft paper producer Billerud led to a reduced-carbon-footprint solution – the Future-Proof Paper Sack for Low-Carbon Cement – combining ultra-breathable, semi-extensible sack kraft paper with an HDPE film containing 35% post-consumer recycled content.

Another initiative, the Construction Goes Circular project in Spain, brings together over 70 companies and 180 construction sites to improve recycling of paper sacks and other building materials, thereby reducing emissions in both the packaging and construction sectors.

“Projects and innovations like these show that our industry is committed to developing a clear road map towards net zero,” Selmin concluded. “Together, we can lay the foundation for real change.”