Collaboration needed for a driving change

The challenges the world is up against are unprecedented in their magnitude. The latest IPCC report published in March came with dire warnings: with the pace we are emitting GHG, the critical 1,5-degree target will be surpassed in the 2030s with severe consequences. But the report also came with some hope: we have the solutions available to turn this development around.

However, setting the world on a trajectory where the 1,5 objective is achievable is a complex and systemic challenge involving lots of actors with sometimes conflicting agendas.

“Our role in this complex, systemic equation is to transform materials for a circular future that in turn makes for more sustainable societies”, explains Pauliina Saari, Walki’s newly appointed Sustainability Director.

Helping customers accelerate towards a zero-waste future has already been at the core of Walki’s strategy for a long time. The ambition to have all non-durable products either recyclable or compostable by 2030 is still very much on the agenda. Now the company has set ambitious targets also for minimising GHG emissions and using responsible raw materials.

Choosing the right raw materials

The priority is to use recycled materials or materials from renewable sources whenever possible.

“We will increase our use of recycled materials , but in some cases the application itself, such as food packaging, currently limits the use of recycled content”, says Saari.

When it comes to sourcing fibre-based virgin raw material, the goal is to use only PEFC or FSC certified materials.

Although the goal is to increase the use of fibre-based materials in cases where this is the best option considering the whole life cycle, many applications such as challenging food packaging require the addition of plastics for barrier properties.
“It’s difficult to safeguard certain foodstuff from going bad if you do not use a proper barrier. Sometimes pure plastic packaging is the only viable option. However, we have invested in new technologies both for fibre-based materials as well as materials based on mono-plastics to provide barriers that do not compromise recyclability.

Sourcing high-quality plastics is also high up on the agenda. While mechanically recycled plastics cannot readily be used for food packaging, it can be used for a lot of other applications.
“The challenge is that there is fairly little high-quality recycled plastics currently available, but recycling technologies are constantly developing. Using plastics from renewable sources is another option, preferably from sources that do not compete with food production.”

Minimising GHG emissions

Walki’s goal when it comes to GHG emissions is to reduce them by 50% from the company’s 2021 baseline. Walki has made several improvements in the last years to increase energy-efficiency in its plants and operations.

In line with the so-called scope 3 emissions, Walki is also now scrutinising its entire value chain to encompass emissions that are not produced by the company itself, but also by suppliers that the company is indirectly responsible for. “Sourcing responsible materials is crucial to reach this target.”

So will the role of collaboration be.
“The challenges the world is up against are very much systemic in nature. No actor alone can make a difference. Collaboration on all fronts will be absolutely crucial. We will work even closer with our customers, suppliers, the academic world, and start-ups to do our share in helping to solve the world’s systemic challenges.”

While regulation plays an important role to provide the needed framework and direction, companies are in a key position to act.
“Ideally, regulation provides the framework that encourages companies to make these sometimes very expensive long-term investment for sustainable solutions. But I really believe in companies’ ability to act. At Walki, we want to be the pioneer our customers can turn to for sustainable materials.”