The third pillar of the BOBST sustainability strategy focuses on the environmental impact of packaging at the end of its life. As converters, brand owners, and consumers increasingly seek recyclable, compostable, or reusable alternatives, BOBST works to advance packaging solutions that support a circular economy.

BOBST develops and industrializes recyclable, eco-friendly substrates in collaboration with brand owners, substrate producers, recyclers, and academic institutions. While packaging use and end-of-life remain downstream in the value chain, we recognize our role in accelerating industry-wide transformation through equipment innovation and material development.

With different materials—polymer, fibre, corrugated board, and synthetic substrates—presenting distinct challenges in recyclability and barrier properties, BOBST focuses on enabling high-performance, mono-material packaging that can be successfully collected, sorted, and recycled.

BOBST's flagship program, oneBARRIER, brings together industry-leading partners to develop recyclable flexible packaging that matches the performance of complex, non-recyclable, multi-material alternatives. We have expanded its oneBARRIER portfolio with recyclable mono-material solutions, including polymer-based and fibre-based structures.

Both innovations underwent external recyclability assessments and Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), developed in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, to measure and validate their improved environmental impact.

BOBST advances packaging sustainability across its four core industries: flexible packaging, folding carton, corrugated board, and labels. In labels, projects focus on optimizing label liner production. In folding carton and corrugated board, initiatives target reduced plastic use, particularly in applications requiring oil and grease resistance. Flexible packaging remains central through the development and rollout of oneBARRIER solutions, contributing to more recyclable, circular alternatives.

These developments reflect BOBST's commitment to sustainable packaging across a broad spectrum of materials and applications.

BOBST aims for its Packaging Use and End-of-Life (PU&EoL) stream to be recognized by 2030 as a driver of environmentally improved packaging.

We continue to expand and industrialize our oneBARRIER portfolio, apply life cycle assessment tools to evaluate environmental performance, and provide internal and external training on sustainable packaging solutions. These efforts are supported by dedicated key performance indicators aligned with the company's environmental objectives.

BOBST is committed to helping the packaging industry reduce waste, improve recyclability, and transition to a more circular future.