OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS

«It is Norway’s vision and ambition to be at the forefront of a green, circular economy making better use of our common resources” (The Norwegian Government)

Norway has the potential to become a pilot plant for the international community in conceptual and practical development within R&D, product and tecnology innovations as well as profitable growth and market development – domestic and export based.

Targets and focus areas of development…

Circular Packaging Cluster facilitates communication, networking and exchange of knowledge and expertise between members. Our members and partners nationally and internationally represent most of the packaging value chain.

Under each focus area, we have goals and project plans aiming at our main goal of an efficient and circular value chain. It is in the nature of things that these are moving targets that will change as development accelerates. The cluster members have four clear, quantifiable and qualitative major goals:

Increase the degree of recycling for plastic packaging from 21% in 2020 to 55% in 2030
Replace at least 5% of the plastic packaging with fiber based packaging by 2025
Increase the use of plastics from disposable and recycled materials from 4% in 2020 to 60% in 2030
Create well-functioning markets for recycled packaging materials in Norway

…consequences and possibilities

The goals are based on targets in the EU/EEA Packaging and packaging waste directive, the European Commission Circular Economy Plan, National Strategy for Circular Economy and the “Roadmap for Circular Plastic Packaging” (Norway 2019). All goals are rooted in the United Nation sustainability goals, and we are continually inspired by Ellen MacArthur Foundation. An absolute prerequisite for a circular packaging value chain is a functioning market for recycled material. In the cluster, we collaborate to:

identify barriers in the value chain that obstruct circularity and prioritize measures to solve the issues at all levels
establish several collaboration forums to support innovation and development towards a circular economy
support and challenge the cluster members, technology and R&D partners and entrepreneurs to create sustainable growth throughout the value chain
contribute to establishing new industries, strengthening the development of jobs inside and outside the value chain
strengthen circular competencies and the introduction of circular models in our business community
carry out projects that contribute to circular growth and profitable, sustainable business development

CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT AND NETWORKING

Meetingplaces, workshops, focus groups, networking, studies, developing common ground and consensus

Collaboration requires meeting and discussing, exchanging knowledge and experiences and agreeing on the way forward. It also means networking and and trust between people to achieve the necessary transparency and to ensure an environment that supports free exchange of opinions, innovation and development. We will:

Identify and facilitate collaboration projects. An important task is to facilitate joint development of products, systems and markets.
Strengthen circular competencies in member organizations. Circular economy and circular process knowledge is partly fragmented and sometimes scarce.
Stimulate innovation. We have a very solid member base through strong and leading players. A major task is to facilitate value creation in the packaging eco system.

USING RENEWABLES

Packaging materials from renewable, recycled and recyclable resources

We aim at increasing the use of renewable and recycled materials as well as limiting packaging volume and weight to a minimum. The use of plastics is still imperative for many parts of the industry, especially for food and beverage applications. Food safety and reducing food waste trump all other premises. Our contribution includes:

a transition from multilayer to mono materials
replacing plastic with fiber or other bio-based materials
ensuring that new solutions meet the product requirements for protection and shelf life
documenting reduced footprint for new solutions and innovations

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS

Dewveloping sustainable, circular and profitable business models

Our cluster is a significant player and driving force for the development of sustainable and innovative solutions within packaging and distribution that embraces a more circular economy and maintains competitiveness. We facilitate extensive collaboration to solve common challenges that require joint efforts:

agreement on the most important blockages for a circular economy in the packaging value chain
developing and providing circular economy and circular process knowledge
identifying and developing closed loop systems for better traceability, improved reuse and recycling
working for a commercialized, circular economy

RECYCLING

Collaboration between upstream- and downstream players in the value chain

Upstream businesses, i.e. those who provide packaging and packaged products to the market and the downstream side, waste collectors, sorters and recyclers, must communicate at a considerably higher and more frequent rate as well as coordinate their efforts to make packaging recyclable form the beginning. This includes providing:

the right initial choice of material to support and prepare for a circularity
continuing testing and development of recyclable materials
state-of the-art sorting systems, coordination of collection and recycling on a national level
better consumer communication and measures to avoid conscious or unconscious greenwashing
downstream branding to create a second-hand value for used packaging

INNOVATION AND COMMERCIALIZATION

Developing and bringing attractive products, processes and solutions to the market – enhancing sustainable packaging production

If Norway is to become a pioneering country and a pilot plant for development in an international context, we must be able to develop and demonstrate innovative, scalable products and solutions for home and export. This means developing, testing and carrying out projects at home before we demonstrate our achievements to the outside world. It provides many possibilities and opportunities for technology and business development:

an industry that can collaborate with local R&D and technology organizations as well as local customers
finding solutions for increased recycling locally
creating more jobs in a future-oriented business
providing good opportunities for positive branding
possibilties for collaboration on joint purchasing, gathering strength through higher volumes
working together on the development of new or enhanced materials with a market potential based on e.g. wood fiber and seaweeds