Smurfit Kappa hails progress of sustainability strategy

SMURFIT Kappa has announced the business remains on target to deliver its goal to have at least net zero emissions by 2050.

The firm’s 16^th annual Sustainable Development Report highlights the progress made through capital investment, operational improvement and collaboration with customers and other stakeholders.

Smurfit Kappa revealed it delivered several achievements last year including:

• A world first in successfully trialling hydrogen in its Saillat paper mill in France
• Completion of a multi-fuel boiler in the Zülpich paper mill in Germany which reduced emissions at the mill by 25%
• The announcement of the group’s largest decarbonisation project in Cali, Colombia involving an investment of almost €100 million
• Commencement of a district heating project in Austria to benefit 20,000 homes across three communities.

Tony Smurfit, Group CEO, said, “I am pleased that we have continued to deliver on our sustainability strategy not just because of what we achieved in 2022 but because of our planning and actions which extend beyond the short term. Smurfit Kappa’s purpose to create, protect and care continues to drive the changes needed to nurture a greener and bluer planet.

“Some of the significant sustainability achievements detailed in our latest SDR have included collaborative projects with participants from across our value-chain, a truly open and progressive approach to solving the major challenges facing society.”

The report also shows the progress Smurfit Kappa has delivered against its Better Planet 2050 sustainability targets including:

• 43.9% reduction in CO₂ emissions since 2005 and 4% in 2022 alone
• Reduction in water consumption by 2.1% in 2022
• Waste to landfill intensity decreased by 24% since 2013
• Packaging solutions sold as Chain of Custody, certified at 94.3%
• Total Recordable Injury Rate reduced by 13.6% in 2022
• Management positions held by women stood at 23.5% at the end of 2022, up from 22% in 2021
• Social investments of €18.4 million made since 2020.

Garrett Quinn, chief sustainability officer at Smurfit Kappa, added, “For 16 years, Smurfit Kappa has produced a comprehensive sustainability development report that has been third party assured since 2009. In a world increasingly concerned with greenwashing we hope this history of public, assured reporting, coupled with our continued delivery each year, gives all our stakeholders confidence in the Group’s sustainability strategy and delivery against its commitments.”