Koen Pack, a pioneering force in the packaging industry, is on a transformative journey towards sustainability, underlining their slogan, ‘The Personal Touch.’ According to Marco Zwaan, CEO North America, “The time for change is now, and these interesting times call for us to design products that bring people together, fostering a sense of hope and comfort.”
Emphasizing their commitment to ‘The Personal Touch,’ Zwaan affirms that it’s more than just a catchy slogan on their letterhead. “These words inspire us to engage with our customers in a personal manner and drive us to create a better world. For us, sustainability is not an option; it’s a top priority. We’ve invested substantial effort in understanding the social, economic, and environmental impacts of packaging and how to provide genuine solutions for the industry. We firmly stand against greenwashing and are dedicated to catalyzing tangible change by offering solutions that are not only realistic but also sustainable and economically viable.”
One of the remarkable steps taken by Koen Pack is the relocation of pot cover production to the USA and Canada. Zwaan explains, “This move delivers significant benefits to us, our customers, and the environment.”
Furthermore, Koen Pack is set to unveil industry-revolutionizing packaging options at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim. Zwaan shares his enthusiasm about their partnership with Okeanos and their innovation, ‘Made From Stone.’ Together, they’ve introduced packaging solutions that significantly reduce plastic consumption in the supply chain while minimizing the CO2 footprint. Zwaan adds, “We’ve initiated source reduction by replacing 60% of plastic at the start of our manufacturing process, curbing the flow of plastic into the natural environment. These new products maintain essential properties like water retention and feature a QR code for consumers to understand the positive environmental impact of their choices.”
In another bold move, Koen Pack is introducing grass-based products as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional paper. Zwaan highlights the alarming rate at which trees are felled for paper production, estimated at 4 to 8 billion trees each year. Koen Pack’s grass paper, however, can save up to 80% of these trees, without compromising on performance. “The beauty of grass,” Marco adds, “is its ability to substantially reduce chemical, energy, and water usage during production, making it a sustainable alternative with great potential.” Koen Pack is firmly committed to reshaping the packaging industry and championing sustainability, one innovative step at a time.