The Foodservice cluster and Packaging Cluster discuss about sustainability along the food chain

Submitted by Serena Rebollo… on 09 January 2020

The future legislation and consumer demands are transforming the way industries operate.

There is a lack of coordination between companies’ commitment to new disruptive materials and the logistical capacity of recycling plants to manage waste.

The Foodservice cluster and the Packaging Cluster met on Tuesday 17th of December to organise the “Food & Packaging Day” at the old Estrella DAMM factory. The event was a complete success; in terms of attendance and the event itself, with more than 140 professionals from the packaging and food sector and the Christmas lunch that was held afterwards, to which more than a hundred people signed up.

These conferences had a very clear intention, that of integrating sustainability into all business and economic activities, in an efficient and profitable way, by means of the presentation of successful cases that explained the concept of the 3R-Reduce, Recycle, Reuse-. Therefore, specialist presentations were given on the subject, ending with a round table to discuss all the issues that had arisen during the morning.

These conferences had a very clear intention, that of integrating sustainability into all business and economic activities, in an efficient and profitable way, by the presentation of successful cases that explained the concept of the 3R-Reduce, Recycle, Reuse-. For this reason, a series of presentations were given on the subject, ending with a round table to discuss all the issues that had arisen during the morning.

The first talk was given by Rafael Fernández-ÁlavaMarketing and Comunication Manager of Costa Cruceros, who presented 4GOODFOOD project, with the collaboration of fundación Banco Alimentare Onlus to control food waste and the reuse of food from ships. “The project is managing to reduce 50% of the food excess and has distributed more than 70,000 lunches and dinners in collaboration with the Food Bank,” said Rafael Fernández.

Next, Javier Mir GubernMarketing Director of Frit Ravich, presented the project in which they are immersed “Optimisation of Rolls of Dry Fruit & Popcorn” to reduce the consumption of plastic by adjusting and standardising the rolls, achieving a reduction in the emission of plastic by 18tn/year.

The 3R presentations continued with Marta Álvarezhead of Areas Quality, who explained her “Circular Journey” towards sustainability, a path in which they aim to reduce the environmental impact they generate by eliminating or reducing certain single-use plastic materials. They have managed to reduce the carbon emission quota for each of their customers by 9%.

Likewise, the advisor of Zyrcular Foods and controller of the Grupo Vall CompanysSanti Aliaga, showed us the hard process that involves the integration of vegetable protein in the current market from its origin to its subsequent commercialization. An interesting presentation that made a tour on the context that happens to meat today, based on its category, and the trends that are observed in the consumer, as a greater responsibility of purchase or an investment in eco products.

Before the networking coffee, where general impressions of the talks were shared and some interesting ideas of possible projects connected to sustainability emerged, we had the presentation by Aida CiercoSustainability Manager at Klöckner Pentaplast, who updated us on the latest legislation. In her presentation, we were able to pick up the sustainability strategy that KP carries out, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and the legislative framework in which plastic moves to increase its recyclability and responsible reuse.

To finish the session, several experts met in the round table called “Reduce-Reuse-Recycle to Eliminate-Expand-Evolve”, moderated by Sergi Escuriet from Lubrizol.

The participants were: Ignacio Martos, Duni; Victòria Ferrer, Gremi de Recuperació; Esther Carreras, La Fageda; Pere Coll, Enplater and Marta Álvarez, Areas.

During the round table, different questions were discussed about plastic and its recyclability and what are doing the different packaging companies to follow the legislation. The position of recyclers in relation to the recyclability of tetrabrik packaging or chemical recycling also emerged, and who advises them in each case. Thanks to the relaxed debate, different formulas were presented to work on the objectives of the circular economy for 2030 and the European Plastics Strategy, as well as the logistical resources to adjust the traceability of products to the production chain, for social and environmental benefit.

To end the journey, the partners of the two clusters enjoyed Christmas lunch in the same old Estrella DAMM factory, in an unbeatable atmosphere.

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