From Single-Use Plastic to Fully Recyclable with Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky business of Pernod Ricard and has an award-winning portfolio of some of the world’s best known and revered single malt and blended Scotch whiskies. They’re a long-standing partner of Smurfit Kappa Composites, and we’ve collaborated for many years on innovative packaging that enhances their brands and their sustainability credentials.
This project demonstrates how a strategic partnership approach delivers ongoing value throughout a brand’s lifecycle.
Challenge 1: Packaging system for a new brand with a tight launch date
Chivas Brothers had a hard launch date for a new brand, Ballantine’s Single Malt. They needed a tube packaging system that would both support their marketing and protect the product from damage during transit to sensitive markets.
To meet the impending deadline, we quickly developed a vacform tray that holds each tube securely, protecting it during movement. The tray met Chivas Brothers’ requirements and ensured a successful launch, with products arriving on the shelf in perfect condition.
Challenge 2: Removing single-use plastics from the solution
Continuous improvement has long been key to our successful partnership with Chivas Brothers. After the successful Ballantine’s Single Malt launch, we had time to consider innovation opportunities – so we looked at ways to enhance the packaging system.
Pernod Ricard sustainability targets aim to remove single-use plastics by 2025. Improving the Ballantine’s Single Malt packaging was an ideal way to contribute towards that ambition.
We therefore worked with Chivas Brothers to replace the plastic vacform tray with a recycled fibre-based divider and top pad, which we developed with our colleagues at Smurfit Kappa Lokfast (divisions specialists). As a result, all the Ballantine’s Single Malt packaging is now 100% fibre-based and fully recyclable.
Result: Protected product, protected planet
Ballantine’s Single Malt is distributed to sensitive markets, where the product must arrive in perfect condition. Our packaging systems have ensured this at every stage.
Thanks to the new, fibre-based update, we removed approximately 600kg of single-use plastic from Chivas Brothers’ supply chain. Not only is this helping the company meet its sustainability goals, but it also helps to avoid the implications of the forthcoming Plastic Packaging Tax. Chivas Brothers are delighted with the results, and we’re now looking at new ways to build on this success by eliminating all single-use plastics from their supply chain.
This is yet another example of Smurfit Kappa’s Better Planet Packaging initiative in action. The initiative uses our industry-leading expertise in sustainable materials, packaging design and recycling to develop more environmentally friendly packaging solutions for our customers, our planet and ourselves.
"We are delighted with the solution of fibre based divider and top pad, not only does it contribute to our desire to remove plastic from our supply chain but it also allows us to increase the speed that we run our line at." Jennifer Halley, Packaging Engineer at Chivas Brothers.
Now’s the time to remove plastic from your packaging
The Plastic Packaging Tax comes into force in April 2022, when a levy of £200 per metric tonne will apply to packaging that contains less than 30% recycled plastic.
To make your packaging more sustainable, discuss how we can help you the way we helped Chivas Brothers. Get in touch via our contact form below or speak to one of our team by calling 01946 61671.