Case study: Skretting Italy significantly reduces use of virgin plastic

In 2022, Skretting Italy introduced plastic bags with post-industrial recycled (PIR) content to help reduce its use of virgin plastic in product packaging.

When using recycled content in flexible plastics, the main challenge is feed safety. To address this challenge, Skretting worked with their supplier to have the bags made with three layers, with the recycled content in the middle between layers of virgin plastic.

Another challenge in using recycled content is that the source of the plastic needs to be traceable to ensure no contamination throughout the supply chain. Skretting Italy checked compliance with relevant regulations and carried out a risk assessment approved by the veterinary control authorities and succeeded in receiving permission to use these innovative bags as feed packaging.

Around 50% of the bag is made from recycled material without increasing the thickness of the bag. Skretting Italy also uses buckets made from 75% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. The Skretting Italy success story has proved that there is a lot more possible when proactively engaging with the entire supply chain. Nutreco uses a structured approach and innovative tools to identify where opportunities exist to increase sustainability in our packaging portfolio. In 2023, we will continue to deliver towards our Sustainability RoadMap 2025 targets with new and innovative packaging solutions.

With about 105 metric tonnes of bags and over 3,000 buckets purchased in 2022, Skretting Italy used over 50 metric tonnes of recycled plastic. We are fully committed to the Nutreco Sustainability RoadMap 2025 – and improving the circularity of plastic material is an important step in this journey.
Adamo Caldori, Purchasing Responsible at Skretting Italy.

Chapters:

Case study: Skretting Italy
Case study: Reducing packaging waste in Canada