Leaders Need to Lead

Amcor is committed to working with customers to develop innovative solutions that reduce the carbon footprint through the supply chain, and minimise the total costs to society.

Global Capabilities

To achieve this objective, Amcor has invested in building a detailed understanding of product life cycles. Knowledge gained from this research forms a critical component in new product development. Amcor’s global capability in product development focuses on a broad sustainability agenda, including:

• Recyclability or decomposability to reduce packaging to landfill;
• Light weighting to reduce raw materials and transport emissions through the supply chain; and
• Product shelf life enhancement to reduce food spoilage.

The businesses also partner local universities to ‘look over the horizon’ at new technology.

Commercial Development Capabilities

Considerable focus is given to taking good ideas and turning them into commercial reality with shared benefits for all stakeholders.

In 2007, the major UK retailer, Sainsbury’s and its packer, Greenvale, became the first companies to launch the Amcor NaturePlus™ product for organic baby salad potatoes. The packaging for this product is made from renewable organic materials and is fully compostable.

The launch was part of an environmental plan by Sainsbury’s to change traditional packaging across its organic food lines to more environmentally friendly packaging.

In the dairy industry, Amcor has developed new bulk sacks that deliver a 15% increase in the amount of product packed in shipping containers as well as improving product protection through the supply chain. This has resulted in a 30% reduction in spoilage, a 25% reduction in the amount of packaging material used, and lowers fuel consumption when the product is shipped.

In addition to partnering customers, Amcor is committed to its broader sustainability agenda which focuses on having a positive impact on the community, workplace, marketplace, environment and the economy. The 2008 Sustainability Report details Amcor’s progress and future plans in each of these areas.