‘I’m green’ says Polarbröd as it switches to Braskem’s bio packaging

Braskem is the largest thermoplastic resins producer in the Americas, with an annual production volume of over 20 million tons.

Flatbreads, soft, crisp thin breads

Sisters Anna Borgeryd and Karin Bodin have a majority ownership in the family firm -  Sweden’s third largest bakery - which makes traditional flatbreads, and soft and crisp thin breads.

It claims for every kilogram of I’m green Polyethylene that it will be using in the Polarbröd packaging, more than 4.5 kg of CO₂ will be saved.

Johan Granberg, purchase and logistics manager, Polarbröd, told BakeryandSnacks the company was prepared to pay a higher cost to convert to bio-based packaging to become more sustainable in the long term.

Four-pronged sustainability program

Its sustainability goals focus on four areas: to produce and supply renewable energy to the electricity grid in a quantity equal to the amount of electricity Polarbröd uses. It wants to become self-sufficient in renewable energy by 2022.

To reduce CO₂ emissions from long-distance transports by 83% and from local transports by 63% using measures such as more transports by rail and biofuels.

To work closely with suppliers and growers in order to ensure 100% of Polarbröd’s ingredients will be sustainable by 2022; and to have 100% fossil-free or recycled packaging by 2022.

“We have made the decision to use this packaging for our entire range, and although the current consequence of this is a higher cost, we have come to the conclusion that it is the best choice,” said Granberg.

The renewable, bio-based polyethylene (PE) will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the firm’s packaging compared to fossil alternatives, and will reduce its dependence on fossil resources. 

Sugarcane captures and sequestrates CO₂ from the atmosphere during every growth cycle, which occurs annually. This means the production of I'm green Polyethylene contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as opposed to conventional polyethylene made from fossil materials.

“Braskem is really excited to have Polarbröd as a partner and to see their commitment to sustainability by introducing green PE into their full product range, a scale not yet seen in bakeries anywhere in the world,” added Marco Jansen, commercial director, Renewable Chemicals Europe & North America, Braskem.

In 2015, Polarbröd baked 38,000 tons of bread at its three bakeries in Älvsbyn, Omne and Bredbyn in Sweden. The company employs 350 people.

The company exports to several countries in Europe, with Norway and France the most important foreign markets.