Building on the success of its pilot in Bangladesh, the SIG Foundation is excited to expand its flagship “Cartons for Good” initiative to Thailand. Partnering with Ampol Food, a leading innovator in food and drink packaging, this project aims to convert surplus mangoes and longkong into nutritious pudding, providing essential support to vulnerable elderly populations.
The “Cartons for Good” initiative tackles two pressing global issues: the estimated one-third1 of food intended for human consumption that is wasted and the widespread malnutrition affecting nearly 733 million people globally2. In Thailand, a report from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), published in January 2024, reveals that 34% of seniors live below the poverty line3, with a notable increase in those suffering from severe dental issues4. The introduction of a soft, thick fruit pudding offers a palatable, nutrient-rich diet that mitigates choking risks for those with oral health challenges.
“This partnership with Ampol Food is a milestone in the Cartons for Good journey,” said Holger Dickers, Managing Director of SIG Foundation. “For the first time, one of SIG’s customers is utilizing our technology to process surplus fruit directly in their facility. Together, we are minimizing food waste, combating malnutrition, and establishing a sustainable, scalable model to assist communities in need.”
The Thailand initiative aims to process around 15 tons of surplus fruit into mango and longkong pudding in its initial year, resulting in 288,000 carton packs. These will be distributed through an extensive network of Village Health Volunteers (VHVs), enabling the project to deliver essential nourishment to 1,000 households daily. After use, the empty carton packs will be collected and recycled by Eco-Friendly Thailand, a key partner specializing in beverage carton recycling, to ensure a circular approach to food and drink sustainable packaging.
The Nutri-Care mango pudding was recently recognized as one of the Top 50 finalists in the tasteInnovation “Sustainability” category at THAIFEX–ANUGA ASIA 2025, selected from nearly 800 entries. This annual trade show highlights the most innovative food and drink packaging solutions in the region. This recognition emphasizes the pudding’s creative upcycling of surplus fruit, its significant benefits for local communities, and the scalable foundations of the Cartons for Good initiative.
All contributions from partners are made as donations, including the paperboard for the packs, which is generously provided by Stora Enso.
“We are proud to join forces with SIG and the SIG Foundation on this impactful initiative,” stated Dr. Kriangsak Theppadungporn, Managing Director at Ampol Food. “This significant collaboration harnesses the expertise of Ampol Food, SIG, and the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University in food innovation, packaging, and nutrition to deliver a pudding product to combat malnutrition. Additionally, it supports fruit growers by converting surplus seasonal fruits into valuable nutrition. By doing so, we not only reduce food waste but also address the urgent health needs of vulnerable communities in Thailand.”
“We aim to move beyond mere food loss reduction,” added Vatcharapong Ungsrisawasdi, Head of Market Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar at SIG. “This project aligns with SIG’s global commitments to enhance access to nutrition, minimize food waste, and expedite innovation in sustainable packaging. Together with our partners, we aspire to create a lasting impact for both people and the planet.”
For additional information about Cartons for Good and SIG Foundation’s sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.sig.biz/en/foundation