Holmen Iggesund logotype in black Holmen Iggesund logotype in white
holmen iggesund's plastic cup split with tree log

Plastic vs. paperboard

By switching from plastic to paperboard, it is possible to almost eliminate the packaging's carbon footprint. And that is only one of many benefits of using renewable and sustainable packaging materials.

Is paper packaging better than plastic?

We asked the Swedish Environmental Institute, IVL, to compare packages made out of paperboard and plastic materials. We used packages that were doing the same job and had a similar functionality. The comparison was based on the carbon footprint values of our paperboard Invercote, and the values for the plastic materials were taken from established environmental databases such as Gabi or Ecoinvent. The study was only based on the carbon footprints of the materials used and included the production of the material, recycling and waste management. 

None of the paperboard packages in the study were made on our material. We just chose them because they were good examples of packaging where they, and their plastic counterparts, had a similar functionality. 

The outcome was an eye-opener. In the example where the plastic packaging came out best, it still has 2,5 times higher fossil emissions than the matching paperboard packaging. In the worst case, the plastic package generated 95 times higher fossil emissions than the matching paperboard alternative. 

plastic vs paperboard ivl video

Please accept Marketing, Preferences and Statistics cookies to view this content.

PLAY

Eco-friendly food packaging

Paperboard does not have the barrier properties that plastic has, i.e. the ability to prevent oxygen, moisture, fat or aroma from affecting packaged goods, such as food and confectionery, for example.

A compromise that can reduce the carbon footprint of a package, compared to one made only of plastic material, is to use paperboard for the structure and have a thin plastic barrier to achieve the required properties. This compromise can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the package. 

Three sustainable packaging solutions

Discover the benefits, innovations, and best practices for creating eco-friendly packaging solutions that reduce waste and promote sustainability.

From plastic to paperboard in 5 steps

Considering to switch from plastic to paperboard packaging? Follow these five steps for a smooth transition.

5-step guide

Leaving plastic for paperboard

Learn why HUGO BOSS turned to Invercote and Holmen Iggesund for their underwear packaging.

Read full story

House of (green) cards

The print management company Livewire produces gift, loyalty, and prepaid cards – of Invercote Duo instead of plastic.

Read full story

Why we should switch from plastic to paperboard

Plastic, that wonder material of the 20th century, has come back to bite us – hard. Now it’s high time to leave our dependence behind us and look forward to new solutions.

Why we should switch

Download PDF

Get the hard facts on how much the choice of your packaging material means for ongoing global climate efforts. Submit your email address for a PDF version of the study made by the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.

How can we help you?

  • If you didn't find what you were looking for, try any of the links below or find your local contact in our contact portal...

About us

  • We are Holmen Iggesund
  • Global presence
  • About our mills
  • News
  • Cookies
  • Personal data

Career & students

  • Work with us
  • Vacancies
  • Open application
  • Intro for students

Downloads & subscriptions

  • Download centre
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • Subscribe to Inspire Magazine
  • Certificates
  • Packaging guides

Follow us


Holmen Iggesund logotype in black

Holmen Iggesund is the premium paperboard company for purposeful solutions. We invite our customers and partners to be part of creating the next generation of sustainable packaging solutions and graphical applications together with us.

We are part of the Holmen Group, relying on our own sustainably managed forests to ensure a renewable material for centuries to come.

Contact
Holmen Iggesund
825 80 Iggesund, Sweden

+46 650 - 280 00
Find contact on iggesund.com/contacts

Holmen Group websites

  • Holmen - holmen.com
  • Forest - holmen.com/forest
  • Paper - holmen.com/paper
  • Wood Products - holmen.com/woodproducts
  • Renewable energy - holmen.com/energy

My accounts

  • Create webshop account
  • Webshop login
  • MyPages log in