The Food and Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA) has officially launched as a unified platform dedicated to promoting beverage cartons as essential, sustainable, and circular packaging solutions. This initiative results from the merger of two prominent organizations in the field.
The FBCA emerged from the collaboration of ACE (The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment) and EXTR:ACT, two respected European associations that have long supported beverage cartons as viable sustainable packaging options while advocating for improved collection and recycling efforts within the industry.
With a vision set on extending its reach beyond Europe, the FBCA aims to bring together beverage carton manufacturers and their paperboard suppliers. This collective effort is designed to drive innovative packaging solutions that enhance food security, minimize waste, and foster low-carbon circular economies.
Food and beverage cartons play a vital role in building resilient food systems. By utilizing renewable resources and consistently enhancing their environmental performance, these cartons significantly contribute to extending the shelf life of perishable goods, thereby reducing waste and ensuring product safety and quality for consumers across the globe.
“Our industry is working tirelessly in designing fully renewable and sustainable packaging solutions that meet the needs of both consumers and the planet,” stated Patrick Verhelst, president of the FBCA Board. “We are excited to expand globally and champion the role of beverage cartons in building a more resilient, low-carbon future.”
A newly elected board has been established for the FBCA, representing its five founding members:
- Patrick Verhelst, President of FBCA and Senior Director of Business Development, Elopak
- Ulrika Wedberg, Vice President of FBCA and Executive Vice President of Sustainability & Public Affairs, Billerud
- Karina Boers, Head of Sustainability Development, SIG
- Tamara Bullock, Director of Corporate Affairs for Europe and the Americas, Tetra Pak
- Erik Hallberg, Vice President of Coating, Converting, and Digital Technology, Stora Enso
“Through FBCA’s Global Centers of expertise, advocacy, and communications, we will provide the evidence and benchmarks needed to lead the way in sustainability progress,” commented Annick Carpentier, FBCA Executive Director of Global Advocacy. “We look forward to working with global partners to drive a circular bioeconomy, maximizing functionality and efficiency throughout the life cycle.”
FBCA is committed to uniting industry leaders and global stakeholders to ensure the long-term viability of a thriving food and beverage carton sector. By optimizing the performance of food and packaging systems throughout their life cycle, FBCA will leverage its knowledge and expertise to develop robust regulatory frameworks for food packaging on a global scale.
The association maintains its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
