Amcor and Dow are joining forces to help brands and retailers bring low-carbon packaging to market faster, combining packaging expertise, low-carbon materials and carbon-footprint data in a new strategic collaboration.

 

The partnership brings together Amcor’s packaging innovation, manufacturing capabilities and global reach with Dow’s low-carbon polyethylene, materials science and carbon-footprint expertise.

 

The companies will identify packaging applications that are technically and commercially viable, engage value-chain partners early and provide carbon-footprint information to help customers make packaging decisions.

 

"One of the biggest barriers to decarbonization is the gap between consumer interest and commercial commitment," said Keith Cleason, business president, Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Dow. 

 

"Together with Amcor, we are testing a new commercial model through market-based mechanisms to reduce adoption risk, create clearer demand signals and help accelerate commercialization of low-carbon packaging solutions across the value chain. We are making it easier for brands and retailers to evaluate and integrate low-carbon packaging options that support both business growth and sustainability objectives."

 

The collaboration comes as companies face growing pressure to cut Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, which cover indirect emissions across their value chains and can represent a significant share of their overall carbon footprint.

 

Amcor and Dow said brands and retailers are increasingly seeking packaging solutions that can deliver measurable emissions reductions without requiring major redesigns or new infrastructure.

 

"Scope 3 emissions occur upstream and downstream in the value chain, making it difficult to reduce," said David Clark, chief sustainability officer, Amcor. 

 

"Bringing low carbon polyethylene to market in packaging that meets the same technical and design standards is one of the simplest ways to help shrink a product’s carbon footprint. Because it’s truly a drop-in solution for brands, we see this collaboration as an exciting opportunity for them to translate climate commitments into action."

 

At the heart of the collaboration is the Carbon Footprint Ledger (CFL) methodology, which builds on established industry approaches to mass balance in greenhouse gas accounting.

 

CFL provides independently assured product carbon-footprint information aligned with international standards, including ISO 14067 and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Standard.

 

Combined with Amcor’s packaging capabilities, the methodology is intended to give customers greater visibility into the climate impact of packaging choices and help them assess low-carbon alternatives with greater transparency.

 

The partnership underscores the growing role of coordinated action across the packaging value chain. By linking materials, packaging manufacturing and customer applications, Amcor and Dow aim to create a more integrated path for brands and retailers seeking to reduce emissions across their packaging portfolios.