From:Packaging News

Delta Packaging has won a KFC supplier award after switching to Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified board.

The Belfast-based printed folding carton packaging manufacturer won a Global Connectivity award at a KFC Supplier event in recognition of the company’s swift and effective transfer of KFC raw material to the PEFC process.

Delta has acknowledged the help, guidance and assistance that PEFC played in the process, helping to switch KFC material to sustainably sourced packaging.

Anna Coleman, account manager at Delta for KFC, commended raw material supplier Stora Enso’s ability to source and supply fully certified material within a relatively short time frame.

“Sustainability is an important issue for KFC, so we were keen to support their sustainability goals by suggesting certified packaging to provide their customers with assurances of responsible sourcing.

“We are the main folding carton supplier for the UK market and this sector has been the first to implement PEFC Chain of Custody certification. The Global Connectivity aspect came into it because this is something that the rest of the global markets would like to roll out.”

A KFC statement said: “We require our packaging suppliers to source wood fibre that is certified as responsibly sourced by a third party, so we can be sure it meets the most rigorous forest management standards. We also expect suppliers to demonstrate full chain of custody throughout their supply chain. The third-party certifications we accept are the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and national certification systems endorsed by the Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).”

Alun Watkins, PEFC’s UK national secretary, said he was delighted so see Delta recognised for making the switch in material.

“A recent PEFC global survey showed that more than 80% of consumers globally, want companies sourcing certified material from sustainably-managed forests to use certification labels. It also showed that labels, such as PEFC’s are the most trusted means of providing consumers with confidence that wood-based products are sustainably-sourced.”

Delta has been a key strategic supplier of packaging to KFC in the UK and Ireland for the past 10 years, and also supplies packaging material to other major brands, including Kellogg’s, McDonalds, Nestle and United Biscuits.

An expansion of Delta’s production facilities last year included a new 16,764 sqm facility, housing one of Europe’s most advanced carton manufacturing environments, containing the latest Hi-Definition rotary flexographic CI press, with a reverse functional barrier coating capability (running reel-to-reel).