Aven is leading the way towards a sustainable packaging industry

As the packaging industry strives to adapt to sustainability requirements and the demand for eco-friendly alternatives, wood has emerged as a central raw material in the creation of innovative packaging solutions. With the increasing use of digitalization and advanced manufacturing methods, the wooden packaging industry is breaking new ground, and its potential for creativity and functionality has never been greater.

Aven's Circular Production

The most important and largest component of Aven's operations grows in the forest. Wood is an indispensable raw material with many sustainability benefits. Through responsible forestry and strategic planting, we can manage forests in a way that preserves the environment and provides a constant supply of wood. This sustainable forest management promotes biodiversity and combats deforestation. Wood is entirely recyclable, and through reuse, we minimize waste and promote a circular economy.

Our vision extends beyond merely producing packaging - we aim to deliver sustainable solutions. Since August 2023, we are proud to be both FSC and PEFC certified, enabling more sustainable packaging with environmentally certified timber. We use Nordic softwood from sustainable forestry, where planting exceeds harvesting. At the same time, the trees used in our production emit no more CO2 than when they were grown.

Our commitment also extends to creating a circular production process. In recent years, we have developed a return packaging system which is now operational. The return system means that we collect, sort, and repair used pallets for our customers. This means that we utilize the raw material and give the products new life. Nothing goes to waste. What cannot be repaired, along with waste material from our production, eventually becomes fuel for heating plants. This reduces our waste to a minimum and optimizes our resource utilization.

EPD and Transparency in Products

Traceability has become a fundamental principle in the timber industry and plays a critical role in sustainability certifications. Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is an important tool in the sustainability world, especially in the timber industry. An EPD is a standardized and verified report that provides detailed information about a product's environmental impact throughout its life cycle. It typically includes aspects such as raw material processing, production, distribution, use, and recycling or waste management.

At Aven, we have long been able to declare the CO2 emissions of our Euro pallets. Now we are taking it further and working to provide EPDs for many of our products this spring. This is a step towards giving our customers the opportunity to make informed choices and demonstrate the genuine sustainability of our products.

Wooden Packaging is the Future

Innovative use of wood in the packaging industry represents a future where creativity and functionality go hand in hand. From molded packaging solutions to practical and sustainable alternatives, the industry is creating a wide product portfolio. By maximizing the benefits of digitalization and advanced manufacturing, the wooden packaging industry is shaping a sustainable and dynamic future. It's a future where the fantastic properties of wood are combined with technological advancements to create packaging that not only protects products but also enriches the customer experience and contributes to more sustainable consumption.

As part of our development, we at Aven are constantly exploring new opportunities with wood as a raw material. Going forward, we are working to develop an exciting new product that will hopefully further enrich the experience for our customers and contribute to a broader and more environmentally friendly product portfolio in the industry. We are proud to call ourselves Wood Ambassadors for the packaging industry.