English - SIG Combibloc

Edition 03/06 

sig.biz/combibloc 

Brands 

Long live diversity 

Markets 

Germany

Editorial 

Dear Readers, 

Imagine that from one day to the 

next, all brands disappeared worldwide. 

What should one buy? Which make to 

trust? How to take decisions? In other 

words: only brands allow products to stand 

out among the mass of others on offer and 

differentiate them unmistakably. Brands are 

the outright key to market success. Any 

company that recognises this fact will not 

be willing to jeopardise this invaluable asset: 

the association of its products with a promise 

on which the consumer relies. One 

aspect is ultimately essential for the future 

and success of any brand: consumer confidence. 

Read more about the subject in our 

title story. 

In this issue, our section on markets is 

focused on two interesting countries. On 

the one hand, the emphasis is on the rapid 

economic upswing of Kazakhstan which, 

increasingly, is developing into a commercial 

hub and marketplace between West and 

East, between Europe and Asia. On the 

other, we examine the extremely dynamic 

situation on the German market and the 

perspectives for SIG Combibloc. 

Last but not least, our environment 

section includes a report on the Children’s 

Conference in Malaysia, organised by 

the UNEP, United Nations Environment 

Programme, and the active participation of 

SIG in that event. 

If you prefer to click rather than read, 

I can strongly recommend a visit to our online 

magazine. At www.sig.biz/combibloc 

Imprint 

sig.biz/combibloc, winter 2006 Published by SIG Combibloc International AG, Laufengasse 18, 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland Editors Dr Bettina Horenburg, 

Martina Loewe, Attakrit Singhaseni, Heike Thevis, Wojciech Wroczynski, Darja Safronova, Luciana Galvão, María José Madroñal, Dr Isabella Classen, RTS Rieger Team 

Concept and design RTS Rieger Team Werbeagentur GmbH, Düsseldorf Pictures SIG Combibloc, RTS Rieger Team, Masterfile, Getty Images, Jupiter Images, Zefa Lithography 

Weß + Lüer GmbH, Willich Printed by Meier Print Schaffhausen, Feuerthalen Contact Phone: +41 (0)52 674 7716, Fax: +41 (0)52 674 6556, E-mail: bettina horenburg@sig.biz 

Internet www.sigcombibloc.com sig.biz/combibloc is published in German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Russian and Chinese. All rights reserved. Articles 

indicated as being contributed by other writers do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced or electronically distributed 

without the prior permission of the editorial team. 

sig.biz/combibloc 03/ 06 

you will not only find all the articles 

contained in our customer publication, but 

also a wealth of other relevant data and 

information. 

Enjoy your personal issue of sig.biz/combibloc. 

Sincerely yours, 

Rolf-Dieter Rademacher 

CEO

Contents Seite 

Editorial & imprint 2 

News 

Première for combifitMidi in Spain 4 

Spanish milk producer Leche Celta presents an innovative new package 

for its product “Celta Energía y Crecimiento” (energy and growth). 

For modern nomads 5 

The company Hanmi Whole Soymilk Co. Ltd. has launched a new soup concept 

on the South Korean market – conveniently packaged in combiblocMini. 

Title 

The power of brands 6 

Why trust is the most valuable asset and promises have to be kept. 

Profile 

Centenary of the dairy in Łowicz 14 

Interview with Chairman Jan Da˛ browski about the history of 

the dairy and its future perspectives. 

Facts & Trends 

Babies thrive on quality 18 

The carton has become internationally established as a convincing 

packaging system for the sensitive segment of ready-to-consume baby foods. 

Cultures 

Flavours of Thailand 22 

Cooking with combibloc: two recipes from Thailand’s rich culinary tradition. 

Markets 

Boom in Eurasia 24 

Dynamic development in Kazakhstan and SIG Combibloc’s activities in the market. 

A market in transition 28 

Full of new challenges: the German market is moving. 

What is happening at SIG Combibloc? 

Environment 

SIG supports UNEP International Children’s Conference 32 

Financially and practically, SIG Group sponsors a conference in Malaysia 

organised by the United Nations Environment Programme. 

Articles marked with these pictograms also have the following features in the online magazine: 

Contents 2/3 

Texts Links 

Images Audio files Videos 

sig.biz/combibloc 03/ 06

News Section/Rubrik 

Première for combifitMidi 

in Spain 

In October 2006, Spanish milk producer Leche Celta presented the new package for its product 

“Celta Energía y Crecimiento” (energy and growth): combifitMidi 

Producers of dairy products are also 

constantly seeking ways and means to differentiate 

their merchandise from that of the 

competition. For this reason, SIG Combibloc 

conducted a market survey to compare 

diverse new formats for the 1-litre volume 

against existing ones. One of the most important 

results revealed that housewives 

perceive combifitMidi as a modern and innovative 

packaging form that is outstandingly 

suitable for premium dairy products. 

New design and décor 

As recently as 2005, the Spanish dairy 

products producer, Leche Celta, announced 

its interest in this format, and now – barely 

one year later – the filling line is already 

installed and operational. The benefits of the 


Unique in Spain: Celta Energía y Crecimiento. 

A milk grade specifically for children, packaged 

in combifitMidi (1,000 ml). 

new format – modern, innovative design concept, 

ease and convenience of handling – 

immediately appealed to the Spanish enterprise. 

The closure solution combiTwist was 

also extremely well received. In October, the 

customer relaunched its product “Celta Energía 

y Crecimiento” (energy and growth) in 

combifitMidi fitted with the practical screw cap. 

Hitherto, this special grade milk for children 

has been marketed in combiblocSlimline. 

For healthy growth 

Celta Energía y Crecimiento is a milk 

grade that is enriched with calcium and 

twelve vitamins; it is highly suitable for 

growing children and juveniles. Milk plays 

a decisive role in this phase of physical 

and mental development. It is an ideal 

complement in achieving a balanced and 

varied diet. 

In order to support the market launch 

of this product, two appropriate special 

supplements were produced for selected 

specialist magazines. In the foreseeable future, 

Leche Celta intends to roll out a new 

premium UHT milk product on the Spanish 

market packaged in combifitMidi. 

Further information available in our 

online magazine at: 

www.sig.biz/combibloc/news

For modern nomads 

Just right for today’s fast-moving world, Hanmi Whole Soymilk Co. Ltd has launched a 

new soup concept in combiblocMini on the South Korean market. A time-saving and 

yet healthy substitute meal for busy working people, the concept is perfectly attuned to 

the taste buds of Asian consumers. 

Rich in valuable fibre, KongGukMul 

brand soy soup is served hot with noodles for 

breakfast. This innovative concept in ready 

meals appeals particularly to the burgeoning 

health-conscious consumer sector – a group 

that is constantly growing. In Asia, sales of 

soy products increased by 27 per cent in 2005. 

Thus, Hanmi’s soy soup has all the potential 

for becoming a true bestseller. 

Soup to go 

The Asian palate is accustomed to the 

‘beany’ taste of soy beans and appreciates 

the distinctive flavour. Unlike in other parts 

of the world, no additives are needed to disguise 

the natural flavour of the soup. Hanmi’s 

soup is manufactured to a new recipe, giving 

it the consistency of a light broth. Packaged 

in the slim combiblocMini carton, the product 

can be transported easily and securely. 

Particularly hungry consumers, or anyone 

in a hurry, can drink the soup snack directly 

from the carton using a straw. It is ideal as 

a time-saving meal replacement and as a 

supplement for a balanced, nutritious diet. 

Consequently, Hanmi soy soup is the 

perfect alternative for modern nomads – 

working people who do not want to squander 

their limited time with cooking complicated 

meals. 

Proven recipe for success 

Traditional stone-ground soybean soup 

has been served successfully for generations. 

Now, by blending tradition with technology, 

Hanmi has created the spirit of the times for 

sig.biz/combibloc News 4/5 5/5 

A fully-fledged meal for anyone on the go: soybean 

soup from Hanmi Whole Soymilk Co. Ltd., 

conveniently packaged in combiblocMini. 

the modern consumer: a time-honoured 

recipe combined with cutting-edge packaging 

technology. 



www.sig.biz/combibloc/news 


Title 


The power of brands 

Just imagine if all brands disappeared overnight. What to buy? Which make to trust? 

How to take decisions? Brands are an integral part of our everyday life; they are ubiquitous. 

Whether products or services are involved, we depend on brands and trust them. Why exactly? 

Title 6/7 


Title 

Brands make life easier and provide a 

better overview. Brands save time because 

they are information vehicles and relieve 

the consumer of having to check, question 

and classify everything. Brands reduce the 

risk of poor purchase decisions because 

branded products promise consistently high 

quality. Brands also have perceived benefits 

because they highlight the individuality 

of the consumer. They support the selfportrayal 

of individuals and demonstrate 

their affiliation with a specific social group. 

Any woman will confirm that a handbag 

from Louis Vuitton is simply something 

more than just a handbag. 

From the heart 

In branding, the emotional element is 

everything. When the differences between 

attributes of two competing products are 

marginal, then it is the consumer’s emotions 

that forces the decision: which brand promises 

what I am seeking? Appeal or prestige, 

individuality or adventure, quality or price 

advantage? Decisions in favour of a brand 

are decisions of the heart, because any well- 


managed brand is a being with a heart of its 

own. The analogy between human beings 

and brands is not new. In the 1930s already, 

Hans Domizlaff, the doyen of marketers, 

claimed that a brand has a human face. 

At eye level 

In this context, marketing has less and 

less to do with selling. Marketing means 

appealing to customers at the most sophisticated 

level. Successful brands no longer 

simply stand for a product. They reflect a 

lifestyle, illustrate the consumer’s world, convey 

values, embody emotions and desires, 

suggest authenticity and trust. When this 

balancing act is achieved, customers remain 

loyal to that brand. 

Through brands, consumers automatically 

associate the message with being plausible 

and authentic. This is a process that may 

take years to establish successfully, because 

consumers must be able to relate to all statements 

made about the brand. To sustain this 

perception, brands must constantly adapt to 

any changes in the market: a tightrope act 

between dynamics and identity. 

Image is nothing? Not quite. Brands have 

perceived benefits because they highlight the 

individuality of the consumer.

Consequently, the secret of marketing 

lies in authenticity. No matter what “adaptations” 

are involved, there must always be a 

bridge to the effective image. How is this 

done? How does one go about building a 

brand nowadays? 

Breaking the mould 

A brand is a name, concept, message, 

symbol, shape, or any combination of those 

elements, that make products or services 

stand out. It differentiates them from the 

competition. As a first step, a brand communicates 

the origin of the product, because 

only the brand owner has the right to market 

a product under that specific name. The goal 

of brand building is to create consumer preference 

for a product that is competing against 

similar – and hence, interchangeable – ones 

such as chocolate, petrol, detergents or paper 

tissues. Providers of branded articles aim at 

generating brand consciousness among consumers, 

thereby establishing brand loyalty. 

Such products emerge from the grey mass 

and assume an identity of their own. Brand 

loyalty is reflected in greater price tolerance 

on the part of consumers. As a rule, they are 

more willing to pay a certain premium for 

the benefits provided by the brand. Consequently, 

branded products are less vulnerable 

to attack from competitors. 

Brand recognition 

Launching a brand is not simply a question 

of designing a logo. Converting a product 

into a brand first requires brand recognition: 

there must be consumer awareness. Existing 

consumer perception thresholds may have to 

Title 8/9 

be overcome. Moreover, communication must 

aim at generating brand likeability. Only 

when these first two steps have been attained 

can the third and critical phase be achieved: 

use of the brand by consumers – and hence, 

the generation of sales and profits for the 

manufacturer. 

Brand awareness is not easy to create 

because the recall capacity of any individual 

is limited. This is all the more applicable considering 

that the volume of printed information 

doubles every four or five years, when 

ever more people have Internet access to 

information worldwide and consumers are 

confronted with a growing flood of advertising 

and product data. Nowadays, consumers 

only absorb those messages they perceive as 

important. Consequently, even if they are 

noticed initially, very few messages achieve 


Title 

the transition leap from the consumers’ 

short-term memory into their long-term one. 

Precisely which messages actually enter a 

consumer’s long-term memory is dependent 

on a number of individual factors. These 

include the consumer’s level of interest, 

earlier experiences and emotions at the time 

of receiving the message. Hence, brands may 

be considered as abbreviations in the longterm 

memory. Once they have succeeded 

in overcoming the perception threshold, 

the consumer links numerous associations 

with the brand that, ideally, lead to brand 

likeability and brand usage. 

Name of the game 

Brand building is invariably a long-term 

affair and comprises a diversity of measures 

and initiatives. A brand policy provides a 

bundle of instruments with which to convert 

a product into a brand. A key role is played 

by the brand name: the verbally conveyed 

element in a brand-building exercise. Given 

its significance, selecting the right name is 

vitally important. The name must be unmistakable, 

easy to recognise and pronounce, 

and to memorise. Ideally, a brand name will 


trigger positive product and experience associations 

among consumers and suggest 

product benefits to them. With globalisation, 

it is becoming increasingly difficult to fulfil 

those requirements. Obviously, the name 

must sound right and trigger positive associations 

in many languages and not just one. 

Moreover, the name must be suitable for dissemination 

via the Internet and not already 

be occupied. 

Making its mark 

The logo is an important element of the 

brand-building process. However, whereas 

it can be perceived, it cannot be communicated 

verbally. It possesses brand-typical 

visual attributes for rapid perception and 

recognition. A logo should be as unmistakable 

and as easy to recognise as the brand 

name itself. It should also generate positive 

and product or application-typical associations. 

As a branding element, shape can relate 

to the design of both the product and the 

packaging. Moreover, specific details of a 

product can exhibit characteristic shapes (e.g. 

the radiator grilles of certain automobile

Brands no longer simply stand for a product. 

They reflect a lifestyle, convey values and 

imply confidence. 

marques). When creating shapes, in addition 

to consumer perception and recognition, 

aesthetic aspects as well as economic and 

technological factors have to be taken into 

account. With products coming into direct 

and frequent physical contact with the 

consumer, ergonomic qualities can be of 

significance. 

Sharper profile 

In addition to the optimal exploitation 

of the available instruments, a successful 

branding policy also depends on the strength 

of the market presentation, i.e. establishing 

a clear and unmistakable brand profile. Equally 

important is consistency in communicating 

Title 10/11 

the brand. The branding concept must be 

seamless and sustained in its implementation. 

Only when this interaction functions smoothly 

can a lasting brand be built successfully. 

Well worth the effort 

In the marketplace, successful brands 

represent substantial assets that are reflected 

in brand awareness, brand penetration, 

brand image and ultimately corporate image. 

Producers can build on this capital and its 

related quality associations to expand a 

product range more rapidly and successfully 

than unknown providers. Many companies 

tend to assume that, unlike more 

anonymous items, branded products are not 


Title 


The objective of brand building is to generate 

consumer preference for a specific product 

that exists among many similar and essentially 

interchangeable ones. 

subject to life-cycle trends or, at least, enjoy 

a longer life cycle. America’s Interbrand 

Group has developed a system that allows 

them to assess the value of a given brand. 

In this system, the economic income of the 

overall market, the expected market share 

of the branded product and the risk profile 

of the budgeted revenue from that product 

are considered. 

All brand, or what? 

There is hardly a business venture where 

branding is not practised. Nowadays, the technique 

is no longer applied to single products 

or product families, but more often than not 

for the corporate branding of entire groups. 

Furthermore, branded articles are not only 

restricted to consumer goods, but are found 

in virtually every known market sector. 

Branding is even applied in areas that are 

outside the classic provision of services such 

as electricity or water supplies, for example, 

sports clubs like Manchester United or sports 

events such as Formula 1 racing. In the meantime, 

even people are being marketed as 

brands, just think of Michael “Air” Jordan or 

Claudia Schiffer. Even Germany’s former 

Chancellor Gerhard Schröder claimed in his 

1998 election campaign, “I am a brand!”. Tiny 

computer chips (“Intel inside”), institutions 

like the Nasdaq or some famous English 

universities, certain stocks, “social economy” 

as an organisational principle, popular tourist 

locations such as St Moritz, or even entire 

nations, are promoted as brands. 

Esperanto of the global economy 

Evidently, the concept of branding is so 

attractive and adaptable that practically no 

aspect of everyday life is considered unworthy 

of being classified as suitable for 

building up into a brand. This is readily confirmed 

by the steadily growing number of 

global brands, i.e. those branded products 

that enjoy worldwide acceptance. In some 

cases, brand names are so widespread and so 

well received that one is tempted to classify 

them as a global language that, although 

largely symbolic, is readily understood everywhere. 

Can you imagine anyone who is not 

able to associate the cursive white script on 

a red background, the yellow domed “M” or 

the cowboy taking a break for a smoke with 

their respective brands? Exactly! 

Title 12/13 



www.sig.biz/combibloc/title 


Profile 


Centenary of the dairy in Łowicz 

The District Cooperative Dairy in Łowicz is one of the leading milk processors in the 

Polish market. On the occasion of its centenary, we spoke to the Chairman of the dairy, 

Jan Da˛ browski, about the how the enterprise was founded and has developed. 

sig.biz/combibloc: Round birthdays are 

always a good opportunity to reflect on what 

has been achieved to date. Can you tell us 

about the early beginnings of the Łowicz 

Dairy? 

Jan Da˛ browski: The establishment and 

development of the District Cooperative 

Dairy in Łowicz is closely tied to the history 

of the entire region. The Łowicz region itself 

can look back on a long tradition of highly 

diverse cooperatives. At the beginning of the 

twentieth century already, farmers began 

to organise themselves, thereby laying the 

foundations for the cooperatives. In the years 

1918–39, Łowicki Powiat included 246 villages, 

12 estates, 5 settlements and 2 cities 

Being interviewed: Jan Da˛ browski, 

Chairman of the District Cooperative Dairy 

in Łowicz (Poland). 

Glowno and Łowicz. At that time there were 

19,000 farms with an average of 46 cattle 

per 100 hectares. Wladyslaw Grabski, Prime 

Minister of Poland and initiator of a currency 

reform, was one of the pioneers of the 

cooperative movement in the Łowicki region. 

Also among the founders of the dairy cooperatives 

were former students of the Blich 

Agricultural College. From 1890 onwards, 

and particularly after 1918, when Poland became 

independent, the number of small dairy 

cooperatives grew steadily. 1930 saw the establishment 

of the Dampf Dairy Cooperative, 

domiciled in Blich, Łowicz. In 1935, the dairy 

was transformed into the District Cooperative 

Dairy Promien (the ray) with Antoni Bolimowski 

as its General Manager. 

Profile 14/15 

sig.biz/combibloc: Please tell us about 

the post-war developments of the Łowicz 

Dairy, up to the present day. 

Jan Da˛ browski: In 1951, the government 

took control of the Łowicz Dairy which, 

like all other Polish dairies, operated on the 

basis of the prescribed milk quotas that the 

farmers were required to deliver. Subsequently, 

the company lost money as the milk 

was sometimes sold at lower prices than it 

had been purchased from the farmers. 

Some years later, in 1957, the cooperative 

was re-established and received a new 

charter. In 1971, a brand-new and modern 

production facility, located on Przemyslova 

Street, came on stream. Then, in 1981, the 


Profile 

Milk products from the dairy in Łowicz filled in 

cartons from SIG Combibloc. 

dairy began operating under the name of 

Okregowa Spoldzielnia Mleczarska w Łowiczu 

(District Cooperative Dairy in Łowicz), the 

style that is still used today. Since 1980, the 

dairy has sold around 106 million litres of 

milk of which 60% were category-A quality. 

sig.biz/combibloc: How is District Cooperative 

Dairy in Łowicz coming to terms 

with the free market economy? 

Jan Da˛ browski: After 1990, the dairy 

saw itself confronted with a new challenge 

and had to generate an effective strategy with 

which to compete in a free market environment. 

At the beginning of the 1990s, revenues 

from milk production fell sharply and 

this led to a drop in milk production. At the 

same time, the Polish market was flooded 

with low-quality imported dairy products. 

The dairy had to expand its portfolio with 


new and attractive products in order to regain 

a competitive edge. The acquisition of equipment 

to fill UHT milk in aseptic cartons was 

one of the most significant and, indeed, one 

of the best decisions in that respect. We chose 

filling machines from SIG Combibloc. Thanks 

to that decision, the District Cooperative 

Dairy in Łowicz is one of the few dairies in 

Poland that can offer UHT milk in cartons. 

Growing demand for this milk grade led to a 

further expansion of our production facilities. 

The first UHT line already amortised itself 

within two years, which is why the cooperative 

decided to purchase additional production 

equipment. By 2005, the Łowicz Dairy 

was operating no less than seven machines 

from SIG Combibloc, all filling UHT milk 

products in various formats. The dynamic 

development of the dairy is best reflected in 

the most recent investments: in the year 

2000, the company decided to build a large- 

scale warehouse for the storage of finished 

UHT products. A fully automatic rotary pasteurisation 

installation started operation here 

in 2002. We have installed a second, autonomous 

technical equipment flushing system 

as well as a computer-controlled fermentation 

room where we make products such as 

creams, kefir, puddings and iced coffee. In 

2003, we added a new cheese-making shop 

and a cheese-packing department. If we are 

talking about the development of the District 

Cooperative Dairy in Łowicz, we should not 

omit to mention the other dairies that 

we have taken over: 2005 we acquired the 

District Cooperative Dairy in Torún; 2006 

we expanded further by buying the District 

Cooperative Dairy in Lublin. 

sig.biz/combibloc: What effect has Poland’s 

membership in the European Union 

had on your dairy?

Jan Da˛ browski: The superior quality of 

our products has always been a priority, even 

though this meant higher costs. We fulfil 

all the sourcing and processing standards 

imposed on EU suppliers. This is evidenced 

by the various certifications that we have 

obtained: HACCP, IFS, BRC and ISO 9001. 

Poland’s membership in the EU does not 

have to be associated solely with added costs 

and higher milk-buying prices, but also with 

access to EU funding and markets. 

sig.biz/combibloc: How important are 

export markets for the District Cooperative 

Dairy in Łowicz? 

Jan Da˛ browski: In 2005, exports represented 

some 23% of our total turnover 

volume, and they continue to rise steadily. 

Nearly all the products we export are sold 

on the EU markets. The primary hurdles to 

The dairy in Łowicz is one of the most dynamic 

and modern-equipped producers in Poland. 

exporting our products to the East are the 

high export tariffs and the extremely long 

refund times. Of course, we also have the 

GOST certificate for exports to the East. 

sig.biz/combibloc: Which of your products 

are most important for the District Cooperative 

Dairy in Łowicz? 

Jan Da˛ browski: The product range offered 

by the District Cooperative Dairy in 

Łowicz includes some 100 items that can 

be split into three main categories: UHT 

products, mature cheeses and other dairy 

products. The UHT products are our flagship. 

Both the Łowickie brand, under which we 

sell our milk and cream, and the Łowiczanka 

logo – a woman in the typical traditional 

costume of the Łowicz region – are known 

throughout Poland. Our share of the Polish 

market for UHT cream is 35%, while we hold 

Profile 16/17 

around 12% of the UHT milk segment. If 

we add the volume of milk that we produce 

for own brands, then our share would easily 

reach 20%. We rank third among the nation’s 

producers of dairy products. 

sig.biz/combibloc: What hopes do you 

have for the future of the dairy? 

Jan Da˛ browski: A stable agricultural and 

cooperative policy with suitable regulations 

within Poland that will allow our dairy to 

continue flourishing in the long term. 



www.sig.biz/combibloc/profile 




Junior has arrived and the proud parents now have to think 

about the most suitable baby food for their offspring.

Babies thrive on quality 

When it comes to nourishment for their offspring, parents quite rightly set high standards. 

High-quality food products contribute significantly to the healthy development of babies 

and small children. Whether milk, mash, purées, tea, soups, water or juices – the choice of 

nourishment is an important issue and sometimes even an emotional one. 

There is no single definition of the 

“correct” form of nutrition. Whether a child 

should be breastfed during its first months, 

drink ready-to-consume formulas or special 

hypoallergenic food products is an individual 

choice and depends essentially on what 

is most suitable for the infant involved. 

Optimally nourished with breast milk 

When a mother is able and willing to 

breastfeed, her mother’s milk naturally 

provides the infant with important nutrients 

that it needs for its healthy development. 

Breast milk contains easily digested protein, 

fats, carbohydrates and all other vital vitamins 

and minerals. In a natural process, the 

mother’s milk adapts its composition to meet 

the changing needs of the child. Increasingly, 

for example, it contains antibodies that protect 

the infant against allergies. 

Mother’s milk also encourages growth 

of the bifidus flora. This is made up of healthy 

intestinal bacteria, which regulate digestion 

and protect against germs and infections. 

Nurturing at the breast also helps the baby’s 

jaw development which, in turn, is beneficial 

to the positioning of the infant’s teeth. 

The balanced alternative 

Not all mothers, however, are able or 

willing to breastfeed. The alternative in such 

cases are baby foods, which are industrially 

formulated to provide optimal nutrition. 

It is vital that the products are matched to 

the requirements of the child during each 

development phase, i.e. that it receives the 

Facts & Trends 18/19 

right amount of nutrients. Another key factor 

in selecting baby foods is whether the 

infant is sensitive to allergies. According to 

studies, the consumption of so-called hypoallergenic 

products reduces the susceptibility 

of infants to allergies by as much as 50%. 

In hypoallergenic milk, for example, the 

protein of cow’s milk is hydrolysed, i.e. it 

is reduced into minute fractions that are 

not recognised as foreign matter by the 

child’s body. Consequently, no antibodies 

are produced. 

Convenient and wholesome 

Because of changing family lifestyle 

patterns in regions such as Eastern Europe, 

Africa, China, the Middle and Far East, the 

importance of fully enriched, industrially 



Pasteur Milk Co. Ltd. of South Korea 

offers soy milk for babies and infants 

in combiblocCompact (180 ml). 

produced baby foods with extended shelf life 

is growing. For example, working mothers 

who wish to return to their job after the 

infant-care phase, appreciate the convenience 

and time-saving aspects of ready-to-consume 

baby foods. Another aspect is that the number 

of children susceptible to allergies is increasing 

on a worldwide scale. Special food products 

for children that are permanently monitored 

for quality and formulation consistency provide 

parents with the assurance that their 

offspring are receiving the right anti-allergens. 

Industrially manufactured baby foods are subject 

to extremely strict legal regulations. 

Numerous benefits 

In the sector of ready-to-consume baby 

foods, products in glass containers play 

an important role. The content is visible to 


the buyer and can be assessed for its “vis- 

ual appeal”. Appetising, natural colours and 

fresh taste are also the typical characteristics 

of products packaged in aseptic cartons. In 

the packaging mix of recent years, the carton 

has developed into another convincing 

packaging system for use in the sensitive 

segment of ready-to-consume baby foods. 

Says Guillaume Confais, Head of Market 

Segment Management at SIG Combibloc, 

“For product innovations, market leaders in 

the baby food sector are relying to an increasing 

degree on aseptic cartons. Not only 

do they ensure superb product quality, but 

their design potential is tremendous. Moreover, 

they are safe and easy to handle. The 

environmental friendliness of the carton, 

which can be readily recycled, is also playing 

its part.” 

Safely aseptic 

“In the case of food products, protecting 

the content, while maintaining its natural 

flavours, pigments, nutrients and vitamins, 

is always important. With baby foods, these 

aspects – particularly the emotional ones – 

really weigh. In this respect, the aseptic 

process is an optimal solution”, explains Mr 

Confais. In SIG Combibloc filling machines, 

product and package are aseptically sterilised 

separately. The HTST (High Temperature/ 

Short Time) process briefly ultra-heats the 

contents and then cools them down to room 

temperature. Parallel to HTST, the filling 

machine forms the carton, seals the base 

and sterilises its interior. In the bacteria-free 

aseptic zone of the filling machine, the product 

is then filled into the carton. The top seam 

of the carton sleeve is then ultrasonically

Also in France, ready-to-consume baby food 

in carton packages from SIG Combibloc is 

a convincing alternative to the fresh product. 

sealed above the filling level without coming 

into contact with the product during the entire 

process. As a result, the flexible packaging 

systems from SIG Combibloc allow food products 

with chunky content to be filled safely. 

Ready for anything 

SIG Combibloc has developed three different 

machine models designed specifically 

for filling food products. Those such as baby 

milk, baby water or liquid baby mash can be 

filled on standard beverage filling machines. 

Pasty filling goods containing small chunks 

or fibres such as thicker mash, soups or 

purées with vegetable or fruit particulate are 

processed in “Food Liquid” machines. Viscous 

products and those containing larger 

chunks are filled on the “Food Particulate” 

model. This machine features 2-phase filling 

Appetising, natural colours and fresh taste 

are characteristic for baby food products 

packaged in aseptic cartons. 

technology that allows contents with different 

viscosities to be filled into the same package. 

Both ingredients can be individually 

prepared beforehand in accordance with 

their product-specific requirements. Mixing 

to generate the finished product takes place 

within the carton itself. These are ideal conditions 

for packaging virtually any product 

in the baby food segment. 

Facts & Trends 20/21 



www.sig.biz/combibloc/factsandtrends 


Cultures 

Flavours of Thailand 

Anyone who associates Thai cuisine with their local Chinese or Indian restaurant 

is definitely on the wrong culinary track. Thai cuisine is unique in South-East Asia 

inasmuch as there is no insistence on the “right” way to cook. On the contrary, 

it offers tremendous scope for creativity. 

Typically used in Thai cooking is a 

pounded mixture of salt and pepper, garlic 

and coriander root. Dishes are flavoured with 

a wide range of herbs, spices, leaves, roots 

and even flowers. These include lemon grass, 

lime leaves and every type of chilli. A key 

ingredient in Thai dishes is the milk and oil 

extracted from coconut flesh. 


Cooking with combibloc 

As an innovative packaging system for 

important ingredients such as coconut milk, 

combibloc cartons from SIG are becoming 

increasingly popular in Thai cuisine. Try out 

the following recipes and experience the 

unique flavours of Thailand. 



www.sig.biz/combibloc/cultures

Coconut milk, here in the aseptic carton package 

from SIG Combibloc, is a key ingredient in 

Thai cuisine. 

Green Curry Chicken 

Ingredients: 

• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil 

• 2 tbsp. green curry paste (according to taste) 

• 1 tbsp. soft dark-brown sugar 

• 1–2 thick stalks lemon grass, fat ends crushed with a rolling pin 

(optional) 

• 750 g/11 /2 lb skinless, boned chicken, cut into chunks 

(use breast and/or leg meat) 

• 6–8 Kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces 

(if unavailable, use grated zest of 1 lime) 

• 400 ml/14 fl oz coconut milk 

• good shake of Thai fish sauce or light soy sauce 

• small handful of coriander, coarsely chopped 

• 1 /2–1 lime, juice only 

Preparation: 

1. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan. Add the green 

curry paste with sugar and cook over a fairly high heat for 

about a minute, stirring in the lemon grass, if used. Reduce 

the heat slightly, stir in the chicken pieces and lime leaves 

or zest until coated in the paste. Add the coconut milk, 

fish sauce or soy sauce and bring to a simmer, cooking for 

25–30 minutes until thickened slightly. Stir in the coriander 

and lime juice. Taste for seasoning, adding more fish sauce 

or soy sauce if needed. 

2. The curry is now best left to settle for a few minutes, allowing 

the sauce to become creamier. You will also taste the 

true flavours of the curry paste ingredients when the dish 

is slightly cooler. Serve with generous helpings of fragrant 

Thai jasmine rice. 

Tom Yum Soup 

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups chicken stock 

• 1 stalk lemon grass, sliced thinly 

(tough outer leaves and bulb removed) 

• 3 Kaffir lime leaves 

(find these in the freezer section of your local Asian grocery store) 

• 3 cloves garlic, minced 

• 1–2 small green or red chillies (depending on desired spiciness), 

de-seeded and sliced 

• 1 /3 cup fresh coriander (or cilantro), coarsely chopped 

• 2 tbsp. fish sauce or soy sauce 

• a handful of fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced thinly 

• 12 medium or large raw shrimps, shells removed 

• 1 carton of coconut milk 

• optional: additional Thai red chillies (left whole), plus other 

vegetables (such as green or red bell peppers), as desired 

Preparation: 

1. Pour stock into a deep cooking pot. 

2. Place lemon grass slices in a food processor until finely grated, 

or pound by hand with a mortar & pestle and add to the 

stock. Tip: the upper stem and/or lower bulb can be left 

whole and thrown into the pot for additional flavour. 

3. Add garlic, chillies (including whole chillies, if used) and lime 

leaves. Bring to the boil. 

4. Add the mushrooms and shrimps. Boil for 8–10 minutes. 

5. Lower the heat and add the coconut milk and fish sauce or 

soy sauce. Taste the soup for spice and salt, adding more 

chillies and fish or soy sauce (instead of salt) as desired. 

6. Serve in bowls with coriander sprinkled on top and quarters 

of fresh lime on the side. 

Cultures 22/23 


Markets 


Boom in Eurasia 

The economic situation of Kazakhstan has improved considerably in recent years. 

In future, the biggest country of Central Asia may benefit even more from its position 

as a commercial hub and marketplace between West and East, between Europe 

and the economic booms in China and Russia. Reason enough for SIG Combibloc 

to have a local presence. 

The enormous growth markets of Russia, 

China and India are considered to be coming 

centres of globalisation. Kazakhstan is located 

at the very centre of these dynamic 

economies of the Eurasian supercontinent. 

If Russia, China and India continue on their 

impressive growth paths, there are many 

indicators that point to the most important 

economy of Central Asia becoming the commercial 

hub at the heart of these centres of 

gravity within a couple of decades. 

Eurasia’s commercial hub and marketplace 

The Republic of Kazakhstan lies in the 

transition zone between the continents of 

Europa and Asia. The country borders on the 

Caspian Sea, China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, 

Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation. 

In recent years, the economy of Kazakhstan 

has grown substantially – almost ten per cent 

per annum over the past six years – driven 

by booming demand for raw materials. For 

this year and the next, the IWF estimates 

economic growth of almost nine per cent. This 

trend has led to growing interest by foreign 

investors in this Central Asian nation that is 

rich in natural resources. In the opinion of 

international financial experts, Kazakhstan’s 

monetary policy is one of the best managed; 

Kazakhstan was the first CIS member to 

establish a national fund to secure stable 

social and economic development. The government 

rigorously applies an open external 

trade policy; in terms of trading volumes, the 

nation’s key partners are the EU, Russia, 

Switzerland and China. SIG Combibloc cur- 

Markets 24/25 

rently maintains business relations with two 

major Kazakh companies: Astana Bottlers 

and Gold Product. 

Cooperation with Astana Bottlers 

Founded in February 2003, Astana 

Bottlers has a varied product and service 

portfolio: production of food products, transportation, 

security services and construction 

works. 

In June 2003, the Executive Board decided 

to install a production line; at the same 

time approving an agreement on collaboration 

with SIG Combibloc. Technicians from 

SIG Combibloc installed the filling line and 

trained the company’s personnel to operate 

it. In May 2006, Astana Bottlers set up a plant 

for juice and nectar production by filling its 


Markets 

own Cariba brand in the combifitPremium 

1,000 ml format. This plant has a state- 

of-the-art production facility that allows the 

most valuable attributes of the juices – natural 

aroma and the delicious taste of fresh 

fruit – to be maintained. 

Best brand award 

Currently, the plant is producing eight 

different juices in the 1,000 ml carton. The 

company is planning to expand its range 

by ten additional flavours, to start filling 

juices in the 500 ml format and to initiate 

the production of iced tea, all before the end 

of this year. In addition to superb taste, Cariba 

juices stand out thanks to the modern, 

practical design of their packages. All these 

attributes ensure that the company’s products 


remain highly popular with consumers. 

Cariba products are already marketed 

throughout all the regions of Kazakhstan. 

There are plans to export them in the near 

future to Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation. 

In July 2006, the EBRD BAS (European 

Bank for Reconstruction and Development 

Business Advisory Services) programme 

distinguished Astana Bottlers with its award 

for the creation and market roll-out of the 

“Best Brand”. Astana bottlers is also planning 

to launch UHT milk products; SIG Combibloc 

specialists have already installed the production 

line. 

Market with considerable potential 

Another vivid example of successful 

business relations in Kazakhstan is the co- 

Juices produced by Kazakhstan’s Gold Product 

company, filled in combiblocPremium (1,000 ml). 

operation between the large local enterprise 

JSC Gold Product and SIG Combibloc. In the 

face of rapid economic growth in Kazakhstan, 

increases in per capita income and rising consumption, 

particularly in the beverages sector, 

Gold Product decided in 2004 to build a 

production facility for filling fresh juices, 

nectars and other drinks in carton packages. 

According to experts, the Kazakh market 

2006 for beverages packaged in cartons 

will grow by 12% over the previous year’s 

figures, i.e. bringing the total to around 

160 million litres. Compared to 2003, this 

increase is equivalent to 30 million litres. 

Market surveys indicate that growth potential 

in Kazakhstan’s market for juices is substantial. 

From 2004 to 2006, that annual 

growth reached 10% to 12% on average. In

the same period, annual growth in production 

volume rose by an average 16%. The 

reason here is the successful substitution of 

imported goods with domestic brands. 

Cooperation with JSC Gold Product 

Gold Product began its cooperation with 

SIG Combibloc in 2004 with the objective of 

developing and implementing innovative 

technologies in its own company in conjunction 

with SIG Combibloc. Within the 

construction project, Gold Product signed a 

contract with SIG Combibloc, including the 

purchase of packaging equipment and a 

filling line for the facility. 

On 1 January 2006, the first production 

line for filling juices in combibloc cartons 

came on stream. The Gold Product range 

currently includes seven flavours that are 

marketed under the Goldy brand. In this year 

already, the development programme approved 

by Gold Product foresees expanding 

its product range under the existing brand 

name and the production of nectars under a 

new brand launch. 

In 2007 JSC Gold Product plans to purchase 

a filling facility from SIG Combibloc 

for the production of beverages in small 

200 ml cartons and larger 1,500 ml cartons. 



www.sig.biz/combibloc/markets 

Markets 26/27 

The juice and nectar brand Kariba from Astana 

Bottlers is marketed in combiblocPremium 

(1,000 ml). 


Markets 

A market in transition 

The German market is one full of new challenges. Only a few years ago, it seemed as though 

the market shares in the segments of non-carbonated soft drinks (NCSD), liquid dairy 

and food had been largely defined and the packaging mix allocated. In recent times, however, 

the market has proved volatile. 


On the one hand, there is a new competition 

scenario arising from the growth of 

PET. While on the other hand, the ongoing 

discussions on the issue of the mandatory 

deposit have heightened awareness in the 

food products sector and uncertainty among 

consumers. 

New challenges 

This changing scenario is readily discernible 

from a look at supermarket shelves: 

consumers are no longer focusing on the 

product alone; their purchase decisions are 

increasingly influenced by the packaging sys- 

tem. Not only product quality with the appeal 

and conspicuousness of the carton, but also 

price, ecological benefits and disposal regulations 

for the empty container are decisive 

factors in choosing a product. In this new 

market constellation, it is the suppliers of 

systems for filling products into carton 

packages who are more keenly challenged 

by new competitors than hitherto. At the 

same time, there is a greater need to clearly 

emphasise the key benefits of convenience, 

quality and price. Here, the sales, marketing, 

service and product development departments 

are equally challenged.

Innovative solutions 

Oliver Betzer, Head of the Germany 

Cluster at SIG Combibloc, remains convinced 

of the future of the carton package in Germany, 

despite the changing market situation. 

Because the carton is ecologically advantageous 

it is exempt of the mandatory deposit. 

Says Betzer, “That is only one of the many 

advantages cartons have over competing systems. 

They are largely made of cellulose, won 

from wood, which is a renewable resource. 

Realistically, however, in the next one to two 

years, we will have to concede a few percentage 

points in the market to PET. Consequently, 

we have to be well prepared. Consistently 

working on innovative solutions for our customers 

has absolutely top priority.” 

Juicy as they come 

Germany is and remains an important 

market for SIG Combibloc. In the juice segment, 

for example, beverage cartons from 

SIG Combibloc have been able to retain their 

pole position against other packaging alternatives. 

In the non-carbonated soft drinks 

sector, SIG Combibloc Germany holds a market 

share well in excess of 50 per cent. Summarises 

Betzer, “Especially in the large volume 

packages for NCSD, we have succeeded 

in maintaining our market share despite 

the growth of PET. The combifitMagnum, 

1,500 ml format, in particular, is putting on 

a good show in this segment and on pointof-sale 

shelves.” 

Great presentation 

An impressive example in this regard is 

the decision of Coca-Cola in February 2006 

to fill its successful NESTEA range in the 

aseptic combifitMagnum carton from SIG 

Combibloc. In every sense of the word, the 

enormously popular iced tea brand, with 

its lemon, peach and forest-berry flavours, 

is putting on a great presentation in the 

1,500 ml package fitted with the practical 

combiTwist screw cap. 

As a result of favourable market trends, 

Coca-Cola decided to expand its product portfolio. 

In September 2006, the company 

launched its NESTEA “Snowy Orange” in 

combifitPremium, 1,000 ml – the first iced tea 

that consumers can also enjoy hot in the 

winter months. “Such a special product called 

for an equally distinguished package – choosing 

a further combifit format, i.e. a solution 

that is successfully established in the market, 

fairly suggested itself”, explains Betzer. 

Milk makes a difference 

Oliver Betzer is equally confident about 

SIG Combibloc’s progress in the liquid dairy 

segment: “Despite fierce competition, we will 

vigorously pursue ambitious market share 

objectives”. His confidence is underpinned 

by successful product innovations like the 

new combiSwift screw cap and groundbreaking 

customer initiatives such as the 

“Landliebe” brand premium UHT project, 

developed jointly with Campina. 

Convenient handling 

In Germany, it is combiSwift, the easily 

opened and closed fitment solution, that is 

gaining particularly strong market acceptance. 

Explains Oliver Betzer, “The German 

market is increasingly oriented towards convenience 

– but it must be affordable. In the 

sector of closure solutions, systems are in 

Markets 28/29 

Confident about the future of carton packages 

in Germany: Oliver Betzer, Head of the Cluster 

Germany at SIG Combibloc. 


Markets 

Whether liquid food commodities, liquid 

dairy products or non-carbonated drinks: 

aseptic cartons from SIG Combibloc are proving 

successful in every segment of Germany’s 

beverages industry. 


demand that allow efficient production 

while bringing a consumer-friendly, convenient 

and hygienic product to market”. As a 

cost-effective and easy-handling screw cap, 

combiSwift provides all those attributes. 

It was Milchwerke Thüringen GmbH 

in Germany’s Thuringia, a subsidiary of the 

Humana Milchunion group of companies, 

and the Neuburger Milchwerke, a subsidiary 

of OMIRA (Oberland Milchverwertung 

Ravensburg GmbH), who provided the kickoff 

for the new closure solution. Both dairies 

fitted combiSwift to their products virtually 

simultaneously. 

Successful roll-out 

Equally promising was the concept for 

launching the premium “Landliebe” brand 

UHT milk, developed jointly with the customer 

Campina. Since June 2006, UHT products 

from Landliebe are being offered in 

combiblocSlimline, fitted with combiSwift. 

Latest figures from the marketplace indicate

that the decision to launch a UHT product 

with convenient handling features and an 

attractive package décor has resulted in a successful 

entry into a new product segment. 

Dynamic partnership 

Oliver Betzer rates the 27 years of 

dynamic collaboration with NORDMILCH 

particularly highly, now being continued 

with yet another new project. At its Zeven 

facility, NORDMILCH is investing in four new 

filling machines from SIG Combibloc. Says 

Martin Feldmann, Head of the Production 

Centre for Dairy Products, “Our stated objective 

is a differentiated high-quality product 

portfolio aimed at achieving price leadership 

in the market through simultaneous reduction 

of unit costs. Against that backdrop 

we also chose filling-machine systems from 

SIG Combibloc when deciding to expand the 

Zeven location.” For the future, NORDMILCH 

is relying exclusively on SIG Combibloc technology 

for filling its beverage cartons at 

Zeven. These new high-speed machines for 

the medium-size carton formats are at the 

heart of four new filling lines offering optimal 

cost-effectiveness. For the first time ever, 

outputs of 12,000 cartons per hour, including 

application of the closures, can be achieved. 

Says Manfred Feldmann, “This output capacity 

is matched by enormous flexibility, both 

in terms of the products themselves and 

volume changeovers”. 

In closure technology too, NORDMILCH 

is convinced that SIG Combibloc systems 

solutions are the ideal choice. For the mass 

production of its milk and milk-mix products, 

the group is relying on combiSwift. Production 

with the four new lines is scheduled to 

come on stream at the beginning of 2007. 

Putting meals in mouths 

For SIG Combibloc, changing market 

conditions in Germany also mean developing 

strategies and concrete concepts for growth 

segments. Says market specialist Betzer, “In 

this regard, our sights are clearly on the food 

segment. Within our portfolio, our aim is to 

rigorously expand the food segment, and in 

Germany specifically in order to create new 

sales potentials for the carton package. We 

have every chance of playing a cutting-edge 

role in Germany when the objective is to 

bring food concepts to market maturity. With 

our proven competence in the aseptic filling 

of food products and the introduction of the 

new combisafe autoclave system, we are far 

more comprehensively equipped than our 

competitors. Particularly in the speciality 

of aseptically filling products with chunky 

particulate, they are considerably more 

limited than we are.” 

Alternative with a future 

In a recently concluded cooperation 

agreement, the German food producer Jütro 

Konservenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, a subsidiary 

of Hamburg’s I. Schroeder KG, is 

launching the very first combisafe carton 

from SIG Combibloc worldwide on the German 

market. combisafe is a volume-flexible, 

heat-resistant family of carton packages that 

allows the filling of just about any food product 

with chunky content, e.g. vegetables, 

Markets 30/31 

fruit, ready meals, hotpots or even wet petfoods, 

with subsequent sterilisation in autoclaves. 

Through this process, products filled 

in combisafe have a shelf life of up to two 

years without the need for refrigeration 

or the addition of conservation agents. 

Says Betzer, “Carton packages are a practical 

alternative to glass jars or cans – they are 

easier to handle and lighter. Above all, they 

are a welcome alternative for producers of 

food products who are intent on differentiating 

their merchandise from that of competitors. 

Last but not least, the carton package 

is one huge display surface that is ideal 

for product presentation. In the German food 

market, the carton is a packaging system 

with a future.” 



www.sig.biz/combibloc/markets 


Environment 


During the Children’s Conference on the Environment, 

Bettina Horenburg (Internal Communications) 

and Petra Gerber (Global Environment) 

symbolically planted a tree seedling in Malaysia 

on behalf of SIG and Switzerland. 

SIG Supports UNEP International 

Children’s Conference 

Financially and practically, the SIG Group sponsored a conference organised by the UNEP 

(United Nations Environment Programme) during which 250 children from around 60 different 

nations presented their visions for a cleaner, more habitable environment. The commitment 

of the young participants to protecting and cleaning up the environment was impressive. 

“Tunza”: the word originates from 

Kiswahili, an East African language, and 

means “to treat with care or affection”. This 

was the motto chosen by UNEP for its biannual 

International Children’s Conference 

on the Environment. Located in Nairobi, the 

UNEP is the World Conservation Monitoring 

Centre of the United Nations. Together with 

sponsors, UNEP promotes awareness among 

children and young people at numerous 

events worldwide on how to care for 

the environment and what they can do to 

contribute to a better world today and for 

the future. SIG attended an International 

Children’s Conference for the first time and 

enabled 50 children from developing nations 

to take part at this year’s Tunza Conference. 

This latest event was held in Malaysia and 

opened by Her Royal Highness, the Queen 

of Malaysia at an official ceremony. 

Environmental projects presented by children 

At the end of August, around 250 children 

delegates from around the world, 

10–14 years of age, convened at Putrajaya, 

Malaysia’s new federal government administration 

centre, to participate in the “2006 

Environment 32/33 

Tunza International Children’s Conference 

on the Environment” (ICCE). For the 5th time, 

this conference enabled children to learn 

about the environment in plenary sessions, 

workshops and excursions, while expressing 

and discussing their own environmental 

issues and visions. The primary subjects were 

environmental protection, forest preservation, 

biological diversity and recycling. Young 

environmentalists from numerous countries 

presented concrete projects being undertaken 

by their communities and schools, 

with the emphasis on clean water and 

recycling. 


Environment 

SIG shows the flag: company employees 

organised a recycling workshop in the course 

of the conference. 

Through this year’s motto of “Save a 

Tree, Save our Lungs” and the associated 

tree-planting programme, the children wanted 

to increase awareness of the problem of 

excessive timber exploitation in Malaysia’s 

forests. In the course of the programme, SIG 

employees also symbolically planted a tree. 

The children demonstrated their dismay with 

a colourful theatre piece that showed many 

people’s growing awareness of the significance 

of wood as a renewable resource across 

the globe. In the closing session, each of the 

young participants committed to plant at least 

20 tree seedlings each year. 

Carton recycling is child’s play 

In addition to its financial engagement, 

SIG also showed the flag on site. Within the 

framework of the conference, SIG employees 

ran a recycling workshop. This allowed the 

participating children to experience how 

quickly and easily new paper can be won 

from used beverage cartons. With considerable 

enthusiasm the youngsters helped to 

separate the cellulose fibres from the composite 

carton materials in a tub of water, 


to squeeze out the moisture and to dry the 

handmade sheets of paper. 

It was clear from the subsequent workshop 

evaluation that the children had 

enjoyed themselves: “For me, this workshop 

was the highlight of the conference. The 

German instructors were the best – thank 

you, SIG!”, wrote Lionel Stoneley from New 

Zealand. “It was great fun to learn how cartons 

are recycled. The steps are simple and 

easy”, explained Anisa Yasmin from Malaysia. 

And Fachil Ahmad Qamur from Indonesia 

wrote: “This workshop was super! 

I learned how easy it is to recycle beverage 

cartons”. 

Unanimous response 

At the beginning of August, CEO Rolf- 

Dieter Rademacher went in front of the cameras 

at Switzerland’s Rhine Falls to elucidate 

why sustainability is an integral element of 

the overall SIG strategy. He explained that 

beverage cartons from SIG Combibloc are 

made up largely of a renewable substrate that 

is resource and transportation-efficient as 

well as being easy to recycle. 

The film team from Singapore was working 

on behalf of UNEP and the “ECO 4 THE 

WORLD” initiative. Both organisations share 

a common goal: to promote the Millennium 

Goals of the United Nations and to help 

ensure that the deadline, the year 2015, 

is met. 

Ever since 1972, UNEP, located in 

Nairobi, has been dedicated to issues relating 

to nature and the environment. Partnerships 

and collaborative efforts are key to raising 

people’s awareness, understanding, inspiration 

and motivation in caring for the environment 

and sustainable development. UNEP 

operates in conjunction with organisations, 

governments, civil societies and corporations. 

Companies in particular are encouraged 

to promote environmental initiatives 

at communal and local levels. UNEP gathers 

and evaluates environmental data and develops 

political instruments dedicated to 

environmental protection. UNEP promotes 

care of the environment and facilitates 

know-how and technology transfers. Above 

all, UNEP encourages corporations and citizens 

to cooperate.

Participating children thoroughly enjoying 

the recycling workshop where they could make 

paper from used beverage cartons with their 

own hands. 

Cooperation for sustainable development 

After becoming aware of SIG through 

its Internet website and information materials, 

UNEP has invited SIG to become a cooperation 

partner. As a packaging group, 

SIG is now involved in a series of interactive 

TV programmes that present environmentally 

friendly and sustainable projects supporting 

the Millennium Goals of the United 

Nations. SIG is particularly interested in Goal 

# 7: ensure environmental sustainability and 

reverse loss of environmental resources. 

Common goal 

Cellulose used for making cartons is won 

from the renewable resource, wood. It is not 

exhaustive depletion, but rather sustained 

management of this renewable resource that 

is the right way to maintain our ecological 

system. Hence, SIG insists that the wood, 

from which our suppliers manufacture raw 

paperboard, is obtained from managed forests 

where more trees are grown than are felled. 

Filming also took place at the SIG Combibloc 

production location in Linnich where the 

new, state-of-the-art extrusion line was rep- 

resentative for resource-efficient production 

with reduced environmental impact and 

optimised transportation routes. 

CEO Rolf-Dieter Rademacher commented 

on the project with these words, 

“I am convinced that any company with a 

long-term sustainability policy will create 

profitability and job security for all those 

involved. Ensuring environmental sustainability 

is not only a UNEP Millennium Goal, 

but also a corporate objective of the SIG 

Group. Hence, we have every reason to be 

happy with this cooperation initiative.” 

Environment 34/35 

CEO Rolf-Dieter Rademacher in front of 

the cameras explaining why sustainable 

environmental protection is an integral part 

of the overall SIG corporate strategy. 



www.sig.biz/combibloc/environment 


www.sig.biz/combibloc 

SIG Holding AG 

Laufengasse 18 

8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall 

Switzerland 

Telephone: +41 52 674 6111 

Fax: +41 52 674 6556 

info@sig.biz

English - SIG Combibloc

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