Lucart, with a local plant based in Nyergesújfalu, has announced to use new recycled and recyclable paper packaging for two product lines. Environmental considerations have always been important to the company; even printing inks are compostable and biodegradable. Their latest innovation reflects to consumer needs; three out of four consumers admit that the environmental impact of a product’s packaging affects their purchasing decision*.
Lucart, Europe’s leading manufacturer of tissue, airlaid and MG paper for flexible packaging, continues to focus on sustainability and on researching environmentally-friendly and innovative solutions with a view to reducing the environmental impact of its products.
In fact, the products in the Grazie Natural line for domestic use and those in the EcoNatural lines for professional markets are now even more eco-friendly thanks to the use of new recycled and recyclable paper packaging, which is designed for a more sustainable, natural choice.
Supporting consumer consciousness
With this new paper packaging, the company aims to contribute to the general policy of reducing the use of virgin plastics, replacing them with eco-friendly recycled packaging. This is an extremely important goal, especially considering the fact that as many as 570,000 tonnes of plastic end up in the Mediterranean Sea every year, which is equivalent to throwing 33,800 plastic bottles into the sea every minute.[1]
: “Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of making sustainable choices when it comes to buying products and are always looking for practical ways to help save the planet on a daily basis, but we must play a part in this too” – explains Guido Pasquini, Lucart’s Sales and Marketing Director.
Innovation at Lucart
Lucart aims to gradually replace the plastic packaging they use for their products with flexible recycled and recyclable paper packaging produced by the company. By applying the principles of cooperation on which the circular economy is based, the R&D department has brought the Porcari plant (in the province of Lucca) – the historical headquarters where the produce paper for flexible packaging – into line with the requirements of the group’s other plants – where hygiene paper products are produced – by sharing the same goals and overcoming the technical problems associated with paper development and the use of printing inks. In fact, even the latter are compostable and biodegradable.
“The products in the Natural lines, which are the only ones on the market made from recycled Tetra Pak® type beverage cartons and “wrapped with love” in recycled and recyclable paper packaging, are a practical way for our customers to make an active contribution to protecting the environment” – summarizes Pasquini.
Willing to pay more for environmentally friendly packaging
The growing interest of consumers in sustainability issues and in making more responsible environmental choices is also reflected in recent data: in fact, according to the European Consumer Packaging Perceptions study by Pro Carton. Three quarters (75%) of the survey participants admit that the environmental impact of a product’s packaging affects their purchasing decision, more than half of all consumers have switched brands because of packaging. Furthermore 77% of consumers would pay a premium for more environmentally friendly packaging
[1] Source: WWF