Smurfit Kappa becomes first vegan certified packaging company

Smurfit Kappa has become the first packaging company to become vegan certified, saying obtaining the Vegan Society trademark means 60,000 products are registered with the scheme.

No other packaging companies are registered with the Vegan Trademark and it has been made possible for Smurfit Kappa thanks to the Markham Vale site in the United Kingdom. The vegan certified packaging products are produced using corrugated solutions, which are both vegan and environmentally friendly.

All products with the Vegan Trademark are produced using paper, glue, starch and inks which are all sourced from eco-conscious suppliers and free from animal products. The company supplies a wide range of vegan-approved packaging options, which are suitable for many products including fashion, cosmetics, food, drinks and more.

Many businesses are working hard to produce products which are vegan certified by The Vegan Society, but then packaging them in boxes and bags which don’t follow the same guidelines. Now, Smurfit Kappa can offer the opportunity to have vegan certified packaging to match vegan certified products.

As well as becoming the world’s first vegan-certified packaging supplier, Smurfit Kappa has struck an ongoing partnership with The Vegan Society to help other trademark holders produce vegan certified packaging for their plant-based product ranges.

The Vegan Society recently conducted research revealing that 97% of vegans and vegetarians will look for vegan verification on food and drink products before making a purchase. What’s more, a survey completed in 2021 confirmed that the Vegan Trademark from The Vegan Society is the most trusted and recognised labelling scheme for plant-based goods. The verification symbol is now used on 60,000 products worldwide, including food, drink, clothes, household items, and more.

Senior business development manager at Smurfit Kappa Markham Vale, Mark Robinson, said: “This accreditation will give reassurances to customers with a preference for vegan products that all components of our finished products are cruelty-free and not from animal origin.”

Business development marketing manager at The Vegan Society, Ericka Durgahee, added: “Announcing our partnership with Smurfit Kappa couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only are they the first packaging company to register products with us, but they are also the 60,000th product to hold the Vegan Trademark. We’ve come a long way since we registered our first product in 1990.”

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