HKScan will make all its packaging recyclable and reduce millions of kilos of plastic

HKScan will renew its packaging to be even more responsible: all packaging will be recyclable by the end of 2025 at the latest. At the same time, the company will reduce the carbon footprint of packaging by 20 per cent and decrease the amount of packaging plastic by 20 per cent compared to 2019. In total, the use of plastic will be reduced by millions of kilos. 

HKScan Corporation, Press Release, 20 October 2020

– Our ambitious goals mean that the packaging of many branded products familiar to consumers, such as HK®, Kariniemen®, Scan® and Rakvere®, will be renewed in the next few years. We are examining and experimenting new packaging materials, reducing the amount of packaging material and ensuring recyclability, says Jalliina Järvinen-Teräsvuori, VP for Packaging development.

The primary purpose of packaging remains the same - to protect foods. A good package is part of ensuring quality and product safety. Functional packaging also reduces food waste.

– Developing packaging responsibility is not always straightforward. For example, sometimes a new packaging alternative may reduce the carbon footprint but at the same time make recycling more difficult. In addition to our goals, our work is driven by consumer expectations, country-specific and EU legislation, and companies’ rising recycling and waste fees. Innovations and cooperation are needed to make packaging genuinely more responsible, Järvinen-Teräsvuori says.

With environmentally friendly packaging, HKScan responds to consumers’ need to make responsible grocery shopping choices. HKScan takes many aspects into account in its packaging development. In addition to the key goals, i.e. recyclability and the reduction of plastic and carbon footprint, choices are influenced by many things, such as the shelf life of food, functioning and attractiveness of packaging, recyclability of material, and packaging and recycling costs.

Already 1.5 million kilos less plastic

As one of the largest food companies in the Baltic Sea region, HKScan’s actions have an impact. In line with its strategy, HKScan develops responsibility throughout its value chain. The company has already reduced the amount of packaging plastic by about 1.5 million kilos from 2017 to 2019.

Responsibility is taken into account in all packaging renewals. In September 2020, HKScan launched its HK minced meat products in Finland in new bag packs that contain 71 per cent less plastic than conventional box packages. Thanks to them, the amount of packaging plastic is reduced by about 100,000 kilos per year. Earlier this year, the amount of plastic in most of HK Mettwurst boxes was reduced by 20 per cent. In 2019, we reduced a total of 54 per cent of plastic with the packaging of Kariniemen separately packed breast fillets compared to conventional box packaging.

In Sweden, the Scan brand’s minced meat package was changed into a thin tube package this year. The new packaging reduced the amount of plastic and improved the shelf-life of the product. In 2018, Mamma Scans meatballs got a completely new recyclable bag packaging. 
In Denmark, HKScan packs some of its Rose broiler products into boxes made from recycled plastic. In the Baltics, the amount of plastic in several Rakvere and Tallegg product packages has been successfully reduced.

In 2019, the company abandoned the use of non-recyclable black plastics in the packaging of its branded products in Finland and Sweden.

Further information:

HKScan Corporation, Jalliina Järvinen-Teräsvuori, VP for Packaging development, tel. +358 40 558 2788, jalliina.jarvinen-terasvuori@hkscan.com
HKScan Corporation, Liisi Tamminen, Communications Manager, tel. +358 44 222 5552 liisi.tamminen@hkscan.com                                                                                                                                           

HKScan’s target is to grow into a versatile food company. With over 100 years of experience, we make tasty, healthy and responsibly produced food responding to the needs of consumers and customers. For us at HKScan, responsibility includes the development of food production throughout the value chain, from farms to consumers. Our home markets cover Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Baltics. Our nearly 7,000 HKScan professionals ensure tastier life - today and tomorrow. Our diverse product portfolio includes poultry, pork and beef, as well as meat products and meals. Our strong brands are HK®, Kariniemen®, Via®, Scan®, Pärsons®, Rakvere®, Tallegg® and Rose®. In 2019, net sales of the publicly listed HKScan totalled EUR 1.7 billion.