Stora Enso and Alucha received the award for developing and investing in innovative recycling technology in Stora Enso's Barcelona, Spain, mill. The new technology separates plastic-aluminum laminate from recovered beverage cartons by a process that enables both fiber and aluminum to be fully reused, and the plastic to be utilized to generate energy in the mill.
Selections of favorable projects were made by the representatives of EU Member States working in cooperation with the European Commission's DG Environment LIFE Unit to produce a shortlist of projects for the award.
"The fiber-based beverage carton is a great packaging product because it is a natural material with a low carbon footprint that comes from renewable resources and is highly recyclable," explains Mats Nordlander, EVP at Stora Enso Packaging. "We are continuously working to enhance the recycling of our products, and look for innovative ways to reduce our environmental footprint. This is why we are especially proud of this recognition from the EU."
Stora Enso's Barcelona mill receives used milk and juice cartons from Spain, France, Portugal, and the U.K. that are used as raw material for the production of white lined chipboard, a carton grade based on recovered fiber used in various packaging applications.
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