EcoVadis reinforces global leadership in sustainable supply chains by urging bold nature policies and action

In recognition of the International Day for Biological Diversity, EcoVadis, the global standard for resilient, sustainable supply chains, today announced it has joined the Nature Positive Forum and signed the Business for Nature’s Call to Action — uniting with over 1,500 companies calling on governments to adopt strong policies to reverse nature loss by 2030.

ERM’s quarterly trends report delivers a clear, up‑to‑date overview of the top sustainability issues shaping private-sector strategy. In this edition, we explore four critical corporate sustainability macrotrends that are driving executive decision‑making today.

As consumer goods brands are increasingly burdened with a flood of regulations for the reduction of emissions and waste, and consumers are incorporating more sustainability criteria into their consumption decisions, there is a strengthening rationale for including packaging machinery-makers at the start of the product development process.  

Plastic packaging plays a crucial role in South Africa’s supply chains, particularly in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. While its durability and cost-effectiveness make it essential, the conversation around sustainability is reshaping the industry. At Pro-Plas Africa 2025, leading innovators will showcase cutting-edge solutions that are making plastic packaging more recyclable, reusable, and environmentally responsible.

Innovia Films, a producer of biaxially oriented polypropylene films for labels, graphics, packaging, and tobacco, has launched a new production line for eco-friendly films at its Schkopau facility close to Leipzig in Germany.

In a sector as large as meat and seafood, packaging practices and innovations are deserving of continual focus. Dealing with these products comes with enhanced challenges due to stringent hygiene and quality requirements, affecting all aspects of the packaging process, from machinery to materials. In the last year, developments in the meat and seafood packaging industry have focused on ease-of-use, versatility and sustainability.

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has released a dedicated Sustainability Guide to support the rail industry move faster towards a net zero future.

The guide, launched on 13 November at ARA’s major conference AusRAIL PLUS 2023 in Sydney, offers practical solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses in the rail industry.

ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie said rail will play a crucial role in Australia and New Zealand’s sustainable development and growth and is key to achieving net zero targets. 

“Continued investment in sustainable transport systems is critical to achieving net zero targets and will drive the economy and benefit the wider community,” said Caroline.

“In order to achieve this, sustainability must be embedded across all aspects of the rail supply chain.

“With about a third of rail industry businesses consisting of 20 people or less, it is essential that small and medium businesses play an active role in driving sustainable outcomes to support the industry’s success.”

New research from WPI Economics, commissioned by Rail Delivery Group, reveals the rail industry generated £26 billion in economic, environmental and social benefits to UK over the past year, with rail customers contributing £98 billion through spending within local communities. 

With the rail network facilitating over three million journeys each day, its impact on the UK economy is significant, playing a key role in the productivity of our cities and towns. The industry also directly employs over 100,000 people across varying roles – from station staff and train drivers to underwater divers and seasons delivery managers.  

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, outlining progress on building the state’s first 220-mph electrified high-speed rail system, which will be powered by 100% renewable energy.

The report reflects the project’s environmental, social, and economic priorities, contributing to California’s carbon neutrality goals.

At InnoTrans 2024, TÜV SÜD Rail will present itself as a competent and experienced provider of testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services for the rail industry.

The company’s experts support manufacturers and operators to ensure safe and sustainable rail transport. At the trade fair, TÜV SÜD will present its simulator for wheel-slide protection (WSP) tests. (Hall A/Stand 645 and Hall 7.2C/Stand 236).

Dr Martin Webhofer, CEO of TÜV SÜD Rail GmbH, said:
We support manufacturers and opetrators to implement modernisation and digitalisation effectively, efficiently and safely.

𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 #𝗛𝗥𝗗𝗗 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿! 🌍
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In a poll of 500-plus finance chiefs by management consultancy Kearney and climate media platform We Don’t Have Time, 93% of them said they saw a clear business case for sustainability. Ninety-two percent expect to invest more in sustainability this year, with over half saying investments will be significantly increased. The sentiments were consistent across several geographies included in the research (United States, U.K., United Arab Emirates and India).

Having successfully commercialized compostable single-serve coffee packaging, Club Coffee continues its sustainability journey with AromaPak® paper-based canisters featuring Boardio® technology for whole bean and ground coffee.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, global tooling manufacturer Seco Tools is transitioning to environmentally-friendly packaging made from 98-100% recycled materials, a move that will result in an estimated reduction of 131 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

The company, which has a UK subsidiary Seco Tools (UK) Ltd in Alcester, says this is a key step toward reaching its ambitious sustainability goals, which includes achieving operational ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and reaching 90% circularity by 2030. The new packaging, made of 98-100% recycled polypropylene or polyethylene depending on the supplier, maintains the same high standards of quality and functionality that customers expect while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Seco says its customers can rest assured that the transition to recycled grey plastic packaging will not affect the quality, and the durable and reliable packaging will continue to protect tools effectively, while also helping to reduce environmental impact.

Food processors continue a longstanding effort to improve productivity and sustainability and overcome workforce constraints. This effort increasingly involves automating processes and adopting advanced technologies, such as AI.

As a result, more automated systems are being installed, particularly for product and package handling, palletizing and pallet handling, horizontal forming/filling/sealing and packaging inspection, the top four machinery categories noted in the "2024 State of the Industry" report published by PMMI (the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies).

As part of a new sustainability push, Network Rail has strengthened ties with The Green Block to boost recycling and divert waste away from landfill sites in commemoration of National Recycling Week.
The partnership between the two organisations first began in 2020 with the trial of the Mobile Segregation Unit which manually separates site waste into its recyclable commodities – all while capturing digital data.

Based at London Victoria, the MSU has allowed Network Rail to recycle more than 7,000 tonnes of waste since its introduction – rail chiefs hope the innovation can reduce carbon footprint at the station by 121 tonnes.

One of them is Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM). This proactive maintenance approach enhances the reliability and efficiency of trains and contributes significantly to environmental and sustainability goals.

Historically, train operators have relied on scheduled or reactive maintenance practices, often leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary resource consumption. Routine maintenance schedules, while necessary, can result in overhauls or replacements that might be premature if based solely on time-based criteria.

This traditional approach not only adds to operational costs but also has significant repercussions, considering the energy-intensive nature of maintenance procedures and the disposal of components.

The European Union aims to make the transport sector and supply chain more eco-friendly, typically focusing on vehicle emissions and infrastructure upgrades. Yet, a crucial aspect often overlooked is digital pollution.

At the RailFreight Summit ’24, Willem Jan Groenewoud, CEO of Ab Ovo, shed light on this issue and proposed solutions.

Hitachi Rail launches annual Environmental, Social and Governance report at InnoTrans, highlighting performances for fiscal year 23

Business has achieved remarkable 14% reduction in scope emissions compared to a target of 5% yoy

FY23 also saw Hitachi Rail awarded two first-of-their-kind sustainable product certifications, as it progresses towards a circular business model