ISCC certification
When using renewable and sustainable raw materials, it is important to have credible proof of sustainability. This means having credible proof of the raw material origin and being able to trace the material back through every step of the supply chain.
Elopak is sourcing renewable plastic in accordance with the criteria of the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS System (ISCC PLUS). ISCC is a global certification scheme covering all kinds of biomass production through the entire value chain. ISCC’s objective is to contribute to the implementation of environmentally, socially and economically sustainable production and uses of all kinds of biomass in global supply chains. ISCC have strict requirements for traceability throughout the supply chain to ensure that the final product is sourced from sustainable material.
Elopak’s renewable plastic is handled by using a mass balance system through the value chain. This means that the link between incoming and outgoing certified material for each process step is guaranteed through certification. For each ton of ISCC certified renewable plastic put into production, an equivalent amount of the finished product can be claimed as ISCC certified. Within the production unit, products can be mixed. Hence plastic made from fossil sources can be mixed with the ISCC certified renewable plastic. To ensure that the mass balance between input and output material is correct and that all ISCC requirements are met, a credible third-party is auditing Elopak’s ISCC certificate annually.
The mass balance system is beneficial as there is no need to build separate plants or production lines, and it allows for a gradual increase of renewable material depending on demand. Mass balance is widely used and accepted by various certification systems.