Sep. 07, 2017
Suntory Group Becomes the First Beverage Manufacturer in Japan to Receive FSC®-COC Certification for Cardboard Packaging
Suntory Group has been developing plastic bottles with a low environmental impact by developing lighter products, reducing the use of cardboard, and conducting other activities pertaining to containers and packaging based on the 2R+B*1 strategy.
Today, deforestation and natural disasters are threatening the world's ecosystem. With this global issue in the backdrop, Suntory Beverage & Food Limited worked to become the first beverage manufacturer in Japan to receive the FSC®*2-COC Certification*3 for cardboard packaging.
The FCS Certification system was established in 1993. Since then, it has been adopted in 81 countries (as of March 2016). The widespread use of the Certification system is a testament to its rigorous requirements and the standard of trust from the countries around the world.
There are two types of FSC Certifications: FM Certification*4 and COC Certification. COC Certification certifies that FSC-certified materials are utilized throughout the entire supply chain, from the forest, to processing and distribution, up until reaching the customer. Agreeing that the entire world must work together, we not only decided to use certified cardboard, but we also acquired the COC Certification to fulfill our responsibility in creating a more sustainable world.
We sought out to acquire this certification because we believe that using FSC certified paper for our Suntory Tennensui mineral water packaging is a simple step toward a more sustainable society.
Receiving The Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) Certification that promotes sustainable forest management is aligning with our corporate mission "To create Harmony with People and Nature."
Looking ahead, Suntory Group plans to widen these activities to Group companies abroad and work to obtain FSC®-COC Certification for additional packaging.
*1 2R+B (Reduce/Recycle+Bio) Strategy: Suntory's unique concept to ensure the efficient use of resources by reducing the amount of resins used, and by using recycled materials, while replacing petroleum-derived raw materials with bio-based raw materials as much as possible in the development of plastic bottles.
*2 FSC (Forest Stewardship Council®): International organization that certifies forests around the world that produce wood and distribution and processing of woods produced in such forests.
*3 CoC (Chain of Custody) Certification: Certification for wood and wooden products sourced from forests certified as "properly managed" forest. This requires that the product manufacturing, processing, and distribution processes be managed and certified materials are properly used.
*4 FM (Forest Management) Certification: Certification for forests that are properly managed and economically sustainable.