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Europe

Core revenue1

€735

 m

LFL growth at constant currency

+2.1

 %

Introduction

Europe is the historical core of SIG’s aseptic carton packaging business, which originated in Germany. Our largest sleeves production plant globally is in Linnich, where we also assemble filling machines and conduct R&D and consumer trials. Sustainability and the development of new categories have become increasingly important as drivers of the business.

SIG realises revenues in many countries across Europe, which is now reported as a separate region (previously included in EMEA).

2021 overview

At-home consumption in Europe – a new normal?

A large portion of our business in Europe consists of litre packs which are suited for at-home consumption. In 2021, although the stockpiling effects experienced in 2020 at the onset of the COVID‑19 crisis did not recur, we continued to benefit from a relatively high level of demand as people continued to work from home. This demand related not only to liquid dairy products used to prepare beverages in the home but also to our food business, with households and families eating more meals together.

Performance highlights

Meeting customer needs in Europe

The growth in our business does not merely reflect favourable consumption trends in the region. It also reflects the flexibility of our packaging system and an attractive total cost of ownership, as well as our focus on customer service and the leading sustainability credentials of our packs. These have enabled us to consistently win new customers and to increase our share of wallet with existing customers.

French family business Triballat Noyal recently opted for SIG technology for its standard product ranges and has also launched a new brand of drinks called Pâquerette & Compagnie to meet consumer demand for healthy and innovative beverages using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Three drinks made from 50% cow milk and 50% plant-based ingredients (oat, almond and hazelnut) are filled in SIG’s combiblocMidi 750 ml carton pack. Tribillat also launched five new variants for its Sojasun range of flavoured soy drinks.

The roll-out of combismile in Europe gathered pace with Danone’s launch of a new range of flavoured waters under the Volvic brand. The choice reflects both the favourable environmental profile of cartons in general, and the consumer convenience and premium appearance of combismile.

Also in France, we saw the supermarket chain Intermarché launch 100% pure apple juice in SIGNATURE packaging under the Merci brand, which supports farmers and the environment. SIGNATURE, using certified plant-based polymers, offers an opportunity to reduce the use of virgin plastic and complements the positioning of the brand.

Consumer demand for more sustainable products is now also escalating in Eastern Europe. Euromilk, located in Southern Slovakia and a long-standing SIG customer, became the first company in Eastern Europe to launch products in SIGNATURE carton packs. Euromilk decided to switch from PET bottles to carton packs for its Kukkonia UHT milk brand, to appeal to younger, eco-conscious consumers.

The revival of the ice tea market in Europe has been driven by a new target group of close to 8 million teens and young people. This group is highly conscious of environmental issues, and in 2021 Coca-Cola’s Fuze Tea in the Netherlands became the first brand in its category to switch to more sustainable carton packs by using SIGNATURE packaging material.

Tech Center Europe (photo)
The new Tech Centre Europe will accelerate new product and packaging development, enhancing SIG’s sustainable packaging solutions and supporting customers with complete end-to-end product launches.

Looking ahead

In 2020 we announced that Hochwald, a leading German dairy cooperative, has chosen SIG as its preferred partner for a new dairy production site, supplying 15 new filling machines. Most of the filling machines were installed in the course of 2021, ready for production to commence early in 2022.

Innovation has been a key factor in further strengthening SIG’s relationship with its customers. In September the Company announced a €12 million investment in a new Tech Centre Europe to be located close to the Linnich plant. The new pilot plant will host state-of-the-art extrusion and filling technology and will increase speed to market for new packaging solutions and materials.

1 The sum of core revenue of EMEA for the first two months of 2021 (€119 million) and core revenue of Europe for the last ten months of 2021 (€616 million).