The European carton packaging industry saw its carbon footprint shrink by 8% in three years up to 2024, according to a new industry report.
Data released by Pro Carton, the association representing cartonboard manufacturers, shows that annual emissions dropped from 929kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per tonne in 2021 to 854kg in 2024.
Industry leaders say the figures provide ‘verifiable data’ for companies looking to switch from plastic to lower-carbon alternatives.
Fossil fuel shift
The reduction has been largely attributed to a significant move away from fossil fuels in the manufacturing process.
Between 2021 and 2024, European mills reduced their reliance on fossil energy from 46% to 39%, whilst the use of wood-based biofuels and renewable heat sources increased over the same period, helping manufacturers avoid around 60kg of CO2 emissions per tonne.
The report also highlighted a dramatic shift in electricity sourcing. The proportion of low-carbon electricity purchased by surveyed mills rose from 23% in 2021 to 66% in 2024.
Lower-carbon alternative
The study, titled the 2025 Carbon Footprint of Carton Packaging Study, was conducted by the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) and independently verified by the Institut für Energie-und Umweltforschung (ifeu) in Germany.
It was based on data from facilities responsible for 60% of European cartonboard and 16% of folding carton production.
Pro Carton stated that the findings reinforce the environmental credentials of fibre-based packaging, which is sourced from sustainably managed European forests. These forests act as a natural ‘carbon sink’, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Meeting climate targets
As businesses continue to seek ways to meet stringent Scope 3 climate targets – which require companies to account for emissions throughout their entire supply chain – the demand for sustainable alternatives remains high.
For companies looking to source eco-friendly solutions, specialist suppliers like polybags.co.uk offer a variety of paper and cardboard packaging options that align with these greener procurement strategies.
Pro Carton’s report also found that the converting process – where board is turned into boxes – represents about one-fifth of total emissions, whilst direct on-site emissions from printing and drying account for just 2%.
