When we talk about Life Cycle Assessment we refer to a tool used to measure the environmental impact generated by a product, an activity or a production process. This tool is extremely important when you need to think about the life cycle of a particular product and the use of resources that this entails. Among the dynamics that come into play are certainly those related to energy expenditure, which concerns the consumption of electricity and the use of raw materials and water. Another factor taken into consideration concerns emissions into the environment. From this derives the impact that the production activity entails in terms of waste that is dispersed in the air, water and soil. When do you decide to carry out the LCA analysis of a product? This analysis is consistently developed by all companies that want to identify the processes involved in the life cycle of a product, starting from each component up to packaging, distribution and end of life. This allows companies to adapt to European legislation and regulations for the elimination of emissions, helping to make their product more sustainable and therefore, given the demands of the market, more attractive. This is why having a certified product is an opportunity for every company. The Life Cycle Assessment allows to evaluate the following aspects: Extraction and supply of raw materials That is where the raw materials are obtained from, if in turn they derive from the recovery of previously used materials and what is the impact derived from their extraction. Production The production phase can be responsible for CO2 emissions, as well as for the release into the environment of waste substances that can be dispersed in the soil, water and air. As part of a decarbonization strategy, production processes can be made more sustainable through the use of energy from renewable sources. Packaging Product packaging must be designed in such a way as to avoid waste. From eco-design solutions to the redefinition of packaging, using sustainable materials, the important thing is to offer a product that can be recognizable and easily used. Transport from the production site to the point of sale Transport can certainly influence the sustainability process. Also in this case there are various solutions and marketing strategies that also take this aspect into account for optimized management. Usage Worrying about the use phase of a product and how the user will be able to use it is another dynamic that can affect the aspects related to sustainability. Disposal of the product and packaging Disposal of the product is a delicate aspect, especially as regards those products that must be disassembled and then select the recovery parts. In some cases it is useful to understand how to organize a retreat network. The packaging must preferably be single-material and above all recyclable to ensure the recovery of raw material, so as to avoid being dispersed in landfills. How does the LCA analysis take place? The analysis of the life cycle of a product is expressed by the ISO 14040/14044 standards. The evaluation takes place in four phases: The first concerns the definition of objectives and the scope. Through this phase, the objectives of the study and the functional unit are defined, which will be necessary to measure the results. The second phase is called inventory because the inputs and emissions concerning the product throughout its life cycle are taken into consideration. The third phase is the one that involves assessing the impacts. The information obtained from the previous phase makes it possible to draw up a ranking of the different impact categories. The final phase is the one that gives access to the interpretation of the results. The interpretation reveals the interventions and recommendations for reducing the environmental impact. This type of analysis is essential to understand the life cycle of a product and the production processes. The analysis allows us to understand which processes can be improved and which waste should be avoided in the face of better profitability. Sada has always been at the forefront of acquiring cutting-edge technologies that allow us to always be one step ahead in the production of recyclable and sustainable packaging in corrugated cardboard. Through production, it aims to offer the customer a high quality, sustainable, ecological and recyclable product, studied in detail to make the packaging respectful of the environment, minimizing the impact of the activity and committing itself to limiting emissions as much as possible. 

The world of sustainable packaging needs companies that work in a network, so that we can make the best use of resources and create a product that fully embraces the philosophy of the circular economy. We are talking about a "supply chain approach" in which the commitment of the single company is harmonized with the others one, to achieve a series of purposes that represent different types of advantages. For the paper supply chain, in particular, this commitment translates into: More efficient packaging collection Collection of cardboard waste carried out by the company itself or by partner companies Recovery of certified raw material Placing on the market of a high quality product Less use of virgin cellulose-based raw material Less impact on the environment and forest ecosystems Proximity recycling: collection as the first phase of a production process With the expression “proximity recycling” we understand how the paper and cardboard collection policy changes. The management on a territorial basis must take place in an integrated and sustainable way and be aimed at recovering the greatest quantity of raw and secondary materials that are necessary for the production of packaging and other products. This procedure aims to reduce the environmental, economic and social impacts resulting from the collection and processing cycle. Waste paper: another fundamental element for the recovery of paper and cardboard The management of pulp is another important element within the closed loop supply chain projects, which allows manufacturing companies to obtain direct supplies of raw material useful for the production of new paper and cardboard. Through a closed cycle, it is possible to harmonize all aspects concerning the exploitation of natural resources. This also results in a lower environmental impact in terms of forest ecosystem management, together with a lower production of waste. Research: the heart of sustainable development Research, in the context of a circular economy, is of fundamental importance. In the field of sustainable packaging creation, research is fundamental to conceive new forms, increasingly focused on the concept of eco-design, but it is also important to understand how it is possible to develop new materials and favor the necessary processes that allow the replacement of not recyclable packaging with cardboard. Research allows, at the same time, to find new solutions through sustainability projects, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact in terms of CO2e, but also the impact of products on the environment. Disclosure: a way to encourage recycling The civil community must be informed of the environmental and economic benefits that a closed loop supply chain project can bring to the entire community. Packaging can become the primary means of information through the display of the material and recycling indications, but also through messages that make the consumer feel at the center of the process so as to encourage recycling. Sada joins the 100% Campania Sustainable Packaging Network. Through this network with a strong territorial connotation, local companies have the opportunity to network and start closed loop supply chain projects capable of making the production of cardboard packaging and the production of paper products more efficient and eco-sustainable. Through active participation in closed loop supply chain projects, the company aims to produce innovative ideas and packaging that can make a difference both from the point of view of quality and from the point of view of environmental impact.

The world of packaging is experiencing a period of transformation that pushes designers and companies to find new solutions and new shapes to expand their range of proposals and make packaging increasingly sustainable. All this translates into an innovative product, capable of providing the market with new possibilities to rethink packaging starting from the supply chain up to the distribution of the finished product. The paper supply chain: from recovery to the creation of new products Eco-sustainability is increasingly dictated by the need to embrace the principles of a circular economy. Following this philosophy, the entire company structure was revised through the adoption of production cycles that are based on renewable energy and the control of emissions for a lower impact on the environment. For the paper sector, the recovery chain is fundamental, which allows you to rethink the supply of raw materials through closed loop recycling paths and projects. The latter are perfectly integrated with sustainability objectives that are supported by the companies that are part of the 100% Campania Network, of which SADA is a partner, testifying to a way of doing business that is attentive to the environmental impact, but also to the economic and social impact which affects local communities. This production system, which is based on legality, in the circularity of processes and in the ability to meet new market needs, has inspired the creation not only of new products, but also of innovative products, which had an impact on the habits of use of packaging and resource optimization. What is meant by innovative packaging products? Innovative products for packaging have characteristics that represent real elements of novelty. Let's see what are the general characteristics that concern some examples of innovative packaging. Optimization of the raw material: as we have said, the first characteristic is that the packaging comes from recycled raw material and obtained from FSC® sources. This allows for an ethical and respectful approach to the environment, and savings in terms of emissions. Functional and versatile design: the innovative products for packaging are distinguished by an approach to design that favors a new spatial concept, which allows to obtain a cardboard processing that reduces waste and space. The lines are designed to accommodate the product in an increasingly adherent way and at the same time guaranteeing optimum strength and performance. Ability to replace pre-existing solutions: innovative packaging was also created to replace forms of packaging that are no longer compatible with a sustainable production style or that are not among the recyclable materials. This has prompted researchers and designers to understand new uses of corrugated cardboard and cardboard to propose a more resistant state-of-the-art product with features such as waterproofing and resistance to fluids. Innovative products for SADA packaging The innovative products for corrugated cardboard packaging proposed by the SADA Group are designed precisely to respond to all these requests. Through a close relationship with Food & Beverage companies and beyond, we have developed various solutions that adapt to the transport and display of the product. One example is the range of trays with Cornless® and 1Derbox®. The first offers a large surface in which to place the product, while the second represents a new solution on the market because it is both a display tray and a box, characterized by a tear-off die-cutting, which allows a practical and fast removal of the lid. With this range of displays it will be possible to create an attractive corner, a perfect corner to attract customers and carry out impactful promotional campaigns. We close our review with the H2OBox® box with handle. Cardboard and fluids can coexist in a waterproof, sustainable and recyclable box. Born from careful research and with a fully customizable design, it was designed to meet the needs of the dairy, frozen food and fruit and vegetable production sectors. Are you looking for an innovative solution for corporate packaging? Contact the SADA Group and give life to your personalized, innovative, functional and sustainable packaging.