The SÜDPACK Group has once again significantly improved its own operational carbon footprint (Scope 1 & 2) – and is continuing to work intensively on implementing its ambitious targets in Scope 3 as well. Consistent, values-driven action, technical innovations, collaboration along the value chain and the embedding of the sustainability strategy throughout the organisation are key pillars of this success.
As a manufacturer of plastic films and packaging solutions for food, non-food, pharmaceutical and medical products, as well as technical applications, SÜDPACK is fully aware of its responsibility for climate protection. By committing to the SBTi – and thus to the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Climate Agreement – as well as validated near-term targets for Scope 1, 2 and 3.1, the family-owned company has set itself targets defined as part of its sustainability strategy for 2030. The Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF), as a key performance indicator and management tool, provides reliable emissions data that illustrates progress towards targets whilst systematically identifying further reduction potential.
Significant progress compared with the base year 2021
The current CCF confirms that SÜDPACK is on the right track in implementing its climate protection strategy. Compared with the base year 2021, CO2e emissions were reduced by a total of 21% in 2025. Specifically, in Scopes 1 & 2 – that is, direct emissions and purchased energy – a significant reduction of 73% was achieved. The target for 2030 is 76.3%.
In Scope 3.1 (purchased goods and services), emissions were reduced by 16 per cent. The target for 2030 is 25 per cent. This area accounts for around two-thirds of SÜDPACK’s total emissions; for this reason, even small improvements are already having a positive impact. Consequently, consistent action in this area is particularly important.
Compared with 2024, the SÜDPACK Group’s CCF rose slightly by 3.91 per cent. However, the annual target derived from the SBTi targets was nevertheless achieved. One of the key factors behind the slight increase was, fortunately, a higher sales volume, which has a direct impact on the product-related high CCF in Scope 3 – both for purchased goods and at end-of-life. Another reason was the expansion of the plants in Erolzheim and Coulmer, France, which took place in 2025. Thanks to these substantial investments, however, SÜDPACK has significantly expanded its capacity for the production of packaging materials that are as lightweight as possible and designed in accordance with ‘Design for Recycling’ guidelines – a key component for sustainability and future viability – and for future reductions in the CCF.
Focus on product design, recyclability & material efficiency
In order to achieve its reduction targets despite planned increases in sales volumes, SÜDPACK is prioritising the production of PP- and PE-based packaging solutions that can be fed into existing recycling loops.
A second approach concerns the weight reduction of high-performance materials, as reduced material usage per square metre of film conserves resources, reduces emissions throughout the entire logistics chain and also has a positive impact at the end of the product’s life cycle. In packaging printing, SÜDPACK is also convincing an increasing number of customers of the benefits of SPQ technology. This technology enables a particularly efficient printing process and has helped to reduce emissions from solvent consumption by around 9.5 per cent compared with 2024.
However, whether and to what extent the new products ultimately contribute to active climate protection depends, in particular, on when customers are ready to switch to alternative packaging concepts.
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
SÜDPACK is also consistently committed to progress in energy management. Since early 2025, green electricity with guarantees of origin has also been sourced at the Coulmer site; this means that all EU production plants now operate on 100 per cent green electricity. Currently, across the entire scope of its energy management activities – which encompasses other energy sources in addition to electricity – the group relies on 57 per cent renewable energy. This share is set to rise to 88 per cent by 2030. The use of sustainable energy sources and ongoing electrification (e.g. green electricity instead of gas) have been identified as key measures to achieve this.
It is also encouraging that total energy consumption has been reduced by 19 per cent since 2021 thanks to efficiency measures. Transport emissions have also been optimised through ongoing efforts, despite increased purchase and sales volumes.
Digital climate management for greater transparency
The implementation of a new software solution helps the organisation to better manage and, above all, steer the increasing complexity of sustainability issues in an international context. The platform consolidates emissions data, targets and progress in a single dashboard, enabling the organisation to identify decarbonisation potential more effectively, fulfil reporting obligations more efficiently and further standardise digital processes in data collection and analysis.