Better F&B packaging for companies, customers and a sustainable future

As China accelerates its efforts to achieve its dual carbon goals, many companies are scaling up investments in sustainable packaging. SIG, a leading packaging solutions provider and global aseptic carton supplier, is making significant innovations in response to this trend.

These innovations, mainly manifested in collaborations with Chinese dairy companies, are reducing the product carbon footprint and making recycling easier.

Developing and producing the packaging material SIG Terra Alufree + Full barrier, which eliminates the aluminum layer without compromising the barrier function, has given the company valuable experience in making packaging material more sustainable.

Through participation in the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and joint workshops, the company is also making efforts to promote trade and sustainable development standards.

"China's ecological civilization process has elevated sustainability from corporate social responsibility to a core business strategy. The government's dual carbon goals are reshaping industry ecosystems. Our ambition for our packs is that one day, they will be made exclusively from renewable or recycled materials, and that every pack we make gets recycled," said Angela Lu, president and general manager of SIG Asia-Pacific.

Headquartered in Switzerland, SIG's connection with the Chinese market dates back to 1985 and the foundations for its first factory were laid in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, in 2002.

Since the groundbreaking launch of its plant in Suzhou Industrial Park, the company has grown for more than 20 years and today it has more than 1,700 employees in China, which is its home base for Asia-Pacific development.

Based on its five modernized production plants covering aseptic and chilled carton and bag-in-box product lines, SIG currently demonstrates strong market performance in the Chinese market. To better meet the growing demand for packaging for healthy food and beverages in China and the Asia-Pacific market, the SIG Asia-Pacific Technology Center was established in Suzhou in 2017.

In 2022, SIG launched SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier, the world's first full-barrier packaging material without an aluminum layer for aseptic carton packs, in the Chinese market. Thanks to replacing the aluminum layer with ultra-thin polymer barriers, it has greatly reduced energy requirements in the supply chain and helped reduce the carbon dioxide footprint of packaging.

"Already today, all our packs are fully recyclable where suitable infrastructure and systems exist for curbside collection and pack recycling, thus helping materials to stay in circulation," Lu said.

China is a cornerstone of SIG's global strategy. Continuous investment in expanding production capacity and upgrading technology in the company's Chinese facilities and intensifying research and development efforts in the fields of sustainable, functional and affordable packaging solutions as well as cultivating talent are among its core actions to boost localization in China.

"Discerning consumers now prioritize safety certifications, convenience innovations and experiential consumption. This creates fertile ground for advanced liquid food and beverage solutions that marry nutritional value with lifestyle enhancement. The post-pandemic era has further accelerated this trend," said Lu.

"Through deepening localization, accelerating sustainable packaging innovation and expanding digital services, the company is enhancing efficiency for customers," Lu added.

Regarding SIG's contribution to Sino-Swiss trade and investment partnerships, SIG has played its role as a tangible bridge between the two nations. In recent years, it has been bringing Swiss engineering, food safety standards and sustainable packaging technologies to the Chinese market, and fostering collaboration between Swiss and Chinese teams and supporting the industry with best practices.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement, the embassy worked closely with Swiss companies to understand their needs and operations. During his visit, Swiss Ambassador to China Jürg Burri mentioned that "more than 800 Swiss companies active in China form the backbone of Sino-Swiss cooperation". SIG is one of these companies. "By visiting 13 companies in 12 Chinese cities, we gained valuable insights into their commitment to Swiss innovation and quality. Swiss companies in China strive for global leadership while adapting to the local context. We were deeply impressed by their professionalism and dedication. Visiting SIG in Suzhou was a particular highlight."

"Favorable policies promoting food safety, advanced manufacturing, foreign investment, and the circular economy directly support our strategy. We actively align our investments and innovations with China's 'High-Quality Development' initiative, viewing supportive policies as catalysts for long-term, sustainable growth and deeper Sino-Swiss collaboration," said Lu.