Strategic WWF Partnership to Feature at Interpack

Mondi, the international packaging and paper group, and WWF, one of the world's largest conservation organisations, formed a three-year strategic partnership in February this year that focuses on increasing environmental stewardship in the packaging and paper sectors. In addition to learning more about Mondi's innovative products, visitors to this year's event can learn more about this Partnership.

Mondi has been exhibiting at Interpack for many years as it is an important forum for connecting with new and existing customers and showcasing innovative product solutions. A number of new innovative product solutions will be announced at the trade show and Mondi's booth can be found in Hall 9, booth A24/B23.

One of the centrepieces of Mondi's 400 square meter booth will be a striking five meter giraffe. It will be made from corrugated material and visitors will be able to walk up to the booth's first floor to see the giraffe's head while learning more about Mondi, including some of the key themes that it will be working on together with WWF.

"Interpack is a great opportunity to showcase the key themes the partnership will be working on," says Rod Taylor, Director, WWF International Forest Programme. "The partnership aims to demonstrate how a packaging and paper company can reduce its impacts on natural ecosystems, climate and water and why it makes good business sense to do so."

"We are delighted to be partnering with WWF as we focus on ecosystems and continue to reduce our footprint. Interpack presents an opportunity to share information about the partnership, as we embark on this journey together with WWF," says Neil Burns, Mondi Group head of sustainable development.

The partnership will focus on minimising the impacts of Mondi's operations on forests, climate and water, and encouraging sustainable practices in the industry. The work programme will cover three main areas, namely:

• Ecosystem Stewardship - building on the successful Mondi Wetlands Programme in South Africa, this work will focus on protecting high conservation value ecosystems in Russia and other regions and increasing the value and resilience of multi-functional production landscapes in South Africa.
• Manufacturing Stewardship - further reducing the water and climate footprint of Mondi's operations and promoting resource efficiency, recycling and longevity of products, including the cascading use of wood and forest products where appropriate.
• Product Stewardship - further enhancing the environmental performance of Mondi's products through; among others - credible certification and efficient life-cycle use of materials in their paper and packaging products.