The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

The Food and Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA) has officially launched following the merger of two European organisations, ACE (Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment) and EXTR:ACT.

This new alliance aims to position beverage cartons as essential, renewable and circular packaging solutions within the food and beverage industry.

FBCA seeks to unite beverage carton manufacturers and their paperboard suppliers to drive sustainable packaging initiatives that enhance food security, minimise waste, and support low-carbon circular economies. With aspirations to expand its influence beyond Europe, the alliance highlights the importance of beverage cartons in creating resilient food systems.

Patrick Verhelst, president of the FBCA Board and senior director of business development at Elopak, said: “Our industry is working tirelessly in designing fully renewable and sustainable packaging solutions that meet the needs of both consumers and the planet. We are excited to expand globally and champion the role of beverage cartons in building a more resilient, low-carbon future.”

Beverage cartons are increasingly recognized for their role in extending the shelf life of perishable products, thereby reducing food waste and ensuring safety and quality for consumers. The FBCA aims to leverage these attributes to advocate for broader acceptance and implementation of beverage carton solutions globally.

The newly constituted board of the FBCA includes representatives from five founding members, reflecting a diverse range of expertise in the beverage carton sector:

Patrick Verhelst (president, FBCA; senior director of Elopak)

Ulrika Wedberg (vice president, FBCA; executive vice president Billerud)

Karina Boers (head of sustainability development at SIG)

Tamara Bullock (director of corporate affairs, Europe and Americas at Tetra Pak)

Erik Hallberg (vice president of coating, converting and digital technology at Stora Enso)

Annick Carpentier, FBCA's executive director of global advocacy, noted the alliance's commitment to providing evidence and benchmarks to advance sustainability in the sector. “Through FBCA’s Global Centers of Expertise, Advocacy and Communications, we will lead the way in sustainability progress,” she commented.

FBCA aims to optimise the life cycle performance of food and packaging systems, ensuring the long-term viability of the beverage carton sector. By collaborating with global stakeholders, the alliance intends to contribute to the development of robust regulatory frameworks for food packaging worldwide.

FBCA will continue to operate from its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, as it embarks on its mission to champion beverage cartons as a sustainable packaging solution in the F&B manufacturing landscape.

Image: © Food and Beverage Carton Alliance website

#FoodandBeverageCartonAlliance #packagining #carton #sustainability #Europe #circulareconomy