EPAT: Sustainability Scorecard For Pulp, Paper, Packaging Industry BY PHIL RIEBEL, PRESIDENT, SUSTAINABLE PAPER GROUP Sustainability expectations in the paper and paper-based packaging industry have changed quickly. What was once a matter of high-level commitments and annual reporting has become far more operational. Procurement teams are now expected to evaluate sustain- ability performance across suppliers, compare impacts, and make decisions that align with corporate climate, and environmental and social governance (ESG) targets. The challenge is not a lack of information. It’s the oppo- site. Environmental and social information is widely avail- able across the industry but rarely in a format that allows for meaningful comparison. Suppliers publish sustainability reports, technical data sheets, certifications, and environmental claims. Many of these are credible, but they are often presented using dif- ferent methodologies, metrics, and levels of detail. This creates a fragmented landscape where buyers struggle to answer basic questions: • How does one mill’s performance compare to another? • Are emissions calculated using the same boundaries? • Is fiber sourcing being reported consistently? Regulators are beginning to address this issue. Author- ities such as the Green Claims Directive are pushing for environmental claims to be substantiated, verifiable, and comparable, rather than broad or ambiguous. At the same time, frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Report- ing Directive (CSRD) are raising expectations around the consistency and auditability of sustainability data across value chains. The direction is clear: ESG information needs to be standardized. Why Comparable Performance Indicators Matter Without a common set of indicators, sustainability data becomes difficult to use in practice. Procurement teams don’t just need more data - they need data that can be compared across suppliers in a con- sistent way. This requires: • Aligned system boundaries (e.g., cradle-to-gate vs. cra- dle-to-grave) • Consistent units of measurement (e.g., kg CO₂e per tonne) • Clear definitions of metrics (e.g., recycled content, en- ergy intensity) EPAT (Environmental Paper Assessment Tool) was de- veloped to address this exact challenge within the pulp, paper and paper-based packaging industry. It provides a standardized sustainability scorecard that allows manu- facturing facilities (i.e., mills) to report environmental per- formance using a consistent set of indicators and enables buyers to evaluate that data in a structured way. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
CORRUGATED REPLACEMENTS, INC. www.corrugatedparts.com
Corrugated Replacements, Inc. is a production powerhouse that manufactures high quality machine parts and replace- ment parts for the corrugated and paperboard converting industries. CRI can redesign, engineer, and manufacture any part while providing a rapid turn-around rate, keeping machines running at their peak performance and limiting down time.
C.U.E., INC. www.AnvilCovers.com
Makers of single and dual-width Timesaver® Anvil Covers, the premier urethane anvil cover for corrugated die cutting. Timesaver® covers feature construction of solid steel back- ing and solid steel locking components to ensure a precise fit every time. C.U.E., Inc. also offers Dura-Latch and Cor- Lock anvil covers, and urethane Lead Edge Feed Wheels.
EMBA www.embausa.com
The EMBA group supports a complete line of corrugated converting machinery for the worldwide market. EMBA’s Quick Set technology enables the highest productivity across a broad range of converting equipment, from mini to super jumbo. EMBA also includes the McKinley jumbo line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters as well as ser- vice, rebuilds and upgrades for both EMBA and McKinley.
EAGLEWOOD TECHNOLOGIES, LLC www.eaglewoodtech.com
Eaglewood Technologies offers trusted cleaning technolo- gies for the world’s best printers and converters. Solutions include the award winning Sitexco+ Anilox Laser System, the Nanovis Parts Washing System, the Sitexco L10 Label System, the innovative Sanilox™ System or Alphasonics solutions. We also offer Xpress™ mobile cleaning service at your facility or ours. ESKO www.esko.com ArtiosCAD and Kongsberg are the most trusted names in CAD/CAM solutions. Esko’s ArtiosCAD is the most widely used CAD software in the world. Esko’s Kongsberg series of tables brings you reliable, outstanding quality for sample- making and short run production.
DOMINO www.dominodigitalprinting.com
Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions. Celebrating its 44th year, Domino is headquartered in the UK and North America headquarters are Illinois. Domino has 25 subsid- iaries, representation in over 120 countries, and over 2,900 employees worldwide .
34 May 25, 2026
www.boardconvertingnews.com
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online