Pet Packaging - Sonoco Europe

Sonoco Achieves Prestigious Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) Accreditation

Hockenheim, Germany – Sonoco Products Company (NYSE: SON), a global leader in value-added sustainable packaging, today announced it has earned accreditation with the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC).

Sonoco joined PSC in 2024 to align its packaging innovations with PSC’s mission of advancing sustainable business practices across the pet industry. PSC accreditation is awarded to companies demonstrating tangible progress in environmental stewardship, social responsibility and transparent reporting.

“As a packaging provider with more than a century of experience, we see the pet sector as a powerful opportunity to apply our sustainability expertise where it matters most—to people, pets and the planet,” said Scott Byrne, Sonoco’s Vice President of Global Sustainability. “This recognition validates the work we’re doing to offer scalable, circular solutions that deliver on both performance and environmental responsibility.”

Sonoco’s portfolio reflects this commitment with options that balance quality, freshness and recyclability. Its two and three-piece steel cans offer durability, moisture protection and full recyclability. Meanwhile, its rigid paper containers feature up to 90% recycled fibre, supporting extended shelf life while reducing environmental impact. An excellent example of this is Sonoco’s GREENCAN® solution. GREENCAN® features an impressive 92-98% paper content and includes not only a paper bottom, but also an integrated paper lid. Offering enhanced print capabilities and strong curbside recyclability, it’s designed to offer not only an environmentally responsible option, but also to maintain performance and protection. GREENCAN® is already being used to package a wide range of products – with pet food and treats among them. German pet snack start-up DoggyLove was an early adopter, calling it “a high-quality, sustainable solution that reflects the values of our company.”

“Every step toward becoming a more sustainable packaging solutions provider must be informed by a clear vision,” said Sonoco President and CEO Howard Coker. “Our people are the driving force behind these initiatives and product innovations.”

Sonoco’s accreditation goes beyond packaging. Through the Sonoco Foundation (Sonoco in Action), the company has partnered with the Darlington County Humane Society to reshape the trajectory of animal welfare and education in Hartsville, South Carolina, where the Company is based.

Learn more about Sonoco packaging and the PSC partnership at Sonoco’s Insights.

About the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC)

The Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to accelerating environmental and social sustainability in the pet industry. By providing tools, resources, and support, PSC helps member companies implement sustainable practices and achieve meaningful impact.

For more information contact: [email protected]
Tel +44 (0)7747 235 616 or [email protected]
www.sonocoeurope.com

“This recognition validates the work we’re doing to offer scalable, circular solutions that deliver on both performance and environmental responsibility.”

Scott Byrne, Sonoco’s Vice President of Global Sustainability

Lasa Mohamad

July 8, 2025

European Investments in sustainability, News, Pet Sustainability Coalition Membership, Product, Product Development Innovation

Consumer Packaging, News, Partnerships, Pet Packaging, Pet Sustainability Coalition, PSCAccreditedPackaging, Sonoco, Sustainability
NaturDrops Revolutionises Sustainable, Functional Healthy Dog Snacks in GreenCan® Solution

Hockenheim, Germany – Sonoco, a global leader in value-added sustainable metal and paper packaging, is excited to announce its partnership with NaturDrops GmbH, a newly established family-owned company dedicated to delivering natural, high-quality, and sustainable dog snacks. This collaboration is a heartfelt tribute to our furry four-legged friends by providing an eco-friendly packaging solution that ensures both pet health and environmental responsibility.

NaturDrops is part of Smart Food for Future GmbH, with a current focus on the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). The company is passionate about building strong brands in the functional food space, managing well-known names like LAYENBERGER international and ISOSTAR in Germany, while also developing innovative new concepts through agile teams. Their goal is to build meaningful sustainable brands that reflect the changing needs of their target audience. NaturDrops is your latest brand, offering natural, functional dog snacks that can be used flexibly—depending on the desired effect—as a supplement to food, preventively, or to support existing conditions. These snacks are suitable for daily use, independent of the main feed, and provide dogs with valuable functional nutrients. NaturDrops was launched in May 2025 after twelve months of development.

Sonoco’s GreenCan® solution will support NaturDrops’ innovative range of functional dog snacks, blending sustainability with a modern design. NaturDrops was founded primarily by Michael and Tanja Weinand and combines expertise from the retail and healthcare sectors with a strong commitment to pet well-being.

The NaturDrops product range features functional snacks specifically designed to promote dog health — supporting skin and coat, digestion, dental hygiene, and natural tick protection, among other key areas of dog health. The innovative Soft Drops are made with sustainable insect protein and fibre-rich sweet potato and include carefully selected active ingredients tailored to each function. A special feature is the unique herbal macerate — a fermented extract made from over 50 selected herbs. It helps create optimal conditions for the gut, preparing it to absorb the nutrients contained in the product more effectively, while naturally supporting digestive health.

NaturDrops’ commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect of their business, from ingredient sourcing to production. With Sonoco’s GreenCan® solution, the company ensures that its packaging is not only functional but also environmentally responsible. Sonoco’s GreenCan® is made from 96% paper, including 69% recycled material, with the remaining 4% consisting of the barrier protection. This sustainable design helps minimise waste while maintaining the high standards of quality expected by NaturDrops’ customers.

“The decision to use a sustainable packaging solution like GreenCan® was a natural fit for us, as our brand is built on the core values of naturalness, responsibility, and sustainability,” said Tanja Weinand, co-founder of NaturDrops. “From the name to the colours, imagery, and ingredients, everything revolves around the theme of nature. GreenCan’s high paper content and sustainable design give us the opportunity to make a bold statement, aligning perfectly with our brand culture.”

“Partnering with NaturDrops to provide innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for their healthy dog snacks is truly exciting for Sonoco,” said Dirk Karbach, German Sales Manager at Sonoco. “Our GreenCan® solution is a perfect fit for their commitment to both pet health and environmental responsibility, offering high-quality, eco-friendly packaging that aligns with their values. We are proud to be part of their journey in supporting our furry companions in the best way possible.”

NaturDrops represents a new era of pet care, offering snacks that are not only good for dogs but also good for the environment. With the support of Sonoco’s GreenCan® solution, NaturDrops is setting new industry standards by offering a healthy, sustainable alternative to traditional pet snacks—a perfect way to celebrate our furry four-legged friends.

For more information, visit: www.naturdrops.dog

Download the case study to learn how Sonoco’s GREENCAN® is helping NaturDrops deliver wellness for pets and the planet.

About GREENCAN®

The Sonoco GREENCAN® recyclable paperboard package is made of 92-98% paperboard and features a wide range of barrier properties. Available in multiple shapes and sizes – from round, square or rectangular; to oval, oblong or triangular – it is ‘designed to recycle’ paper can, providing a highly recyclable packaging solution, with robust barrier properties.

Sonoco’s GREENCAN® also features an integrated paper lid, so when empty, the whole package can go through the household paper recycling stream without any need to disassemble it. This makes it simple and convenient for the consumer and for the whole recycling process.

About NaturDrops

Natural. Functional. Sustainable.

NaturDrops GmbH is a young, innovative family-owned company based in Basel, specialising in the development of high-quality, functional dog snacks. Founded in April 2025 by Michael and Tanja Weinand, NaturDrops combines modern pet health with natural nutrition — scientifically grounded and lovingly developed.

The NaturDrops Vision: Snacks that do more.

In close collaboration with a team of veterinary experts, NaturDrops develops products that specifically promote the wellbeing and health of dogs — free from artificial additives and without compromising on quality or sustainability. The company places great importance on natural ingredients, gentle processing, and environmental awareness.

NaturDrops marks the beginning of a new era in healthy dog snacks — natural, sustainable, and backed by scientific expertise. Because dogs are more than pets: they’re family.

Media Contact:

Tanja & Michael Weinand

NaturDrops GmbH

+41 79 361 40 99

[email protected]

www.naturdrops.dog

For more information contact: [email protected]
Tel +44 (0)7747 235 616 or [email protected]
www.sonocoeurope.com

“The decision to use a sustainable packaging solution like GreenCan® was a natural fit for us, as our brand is built on the core values of naturalness, responsibility, and sustainability. From the name to the colours, imagery, and ingredients, everything revolves around the theme of nature. GreenCan’s high paper content and sustainable design give us the opportunity to make a bold statement, aligning perfectly with our brand culture.”

Tanja Weinard, co-founder of NaturDrops

Lasa Mohamad

May 27, 2025

GreenCan®, News, Product, Product Development Innovation

Company News, Consumer Packaging, Customer Solutions, GreenCan®, NaturDrops, new product, new product launch, News, Pet Packaging, petpaperpackaging, recyclability, SmartFood, Sonoco, Sustainability
DoggyLove packs plant-based dog treats in Sonoco’s GREENCAN®

Sonoco’s recyclable paper-based cans are a perfect fit with the company’s commitment to natural, organic produce and sustainability

Hockenheim, Germany – Pet snack manufacturing start-up, DoggyLove, based in Germany, has partnered with Sonoco and the paper-based GREENCAN® solution to bring its organic, plant-based pet treats to market.

Originally founded in 1956 as a butcher’s shop, and then later a catering business, this family-run firm recently decided to take things in a totally different direction, re-inventing itself as a pet food manufacturer. Following extensive consultations with veterinarians throughout 2023, DoggyLove began trading in 2024 – and finding the perfect packaging partner, with whom to launch its new range of products, was key.

“Our new business is personal to us, inspired by own dog, a labrador called Peggy, who was part of our lives for 15 years,” says Christoph Wirth, who owns and runs the business with his wife, Konstanze. “Peggy was the inspiration for DoggyLove and our core mission now is to develop healthy snacks to promote the health and well-being of all dogs.”

“We thought long and hard about what the right packaging was to present this product to market,” Mr Wirth continues. “To reflect the values of our brand, it was very important to us that it was both high quality and sustainable. Initially we wanted to use different packaging types from Asia for our products, but we quickly realised that it would entail the long delivery times and an increase in global political uncertainty for us. This has led us to decide in favour of a locally manufactured solution, which was also a perfect match with our values: GREENCAN®, the paper-based can from Sonoco.”

He adds: “GREENCAN® was unlike anything we saw from any other packaging provider, and it appealed to us on multiple levels because of the short delivery times, and because of its sustainability credentials, which are not only ethically important to us, but are also very important to our customers, giving us another angle to talk about in our marketing. Finally, the creative possibilities of being able to employ full-surface printing on the packaging, was also really appealing.”

“As a new brand, the way in which we’re perceived is important to us, and Sonoco’s GREENCAN® solution helps to reinforce our holistic brand image of responsible and sustainable production. We see this as just the beginning of our partnership and we’re already planning other potential products that would also be a perfect fit with this packaging.”

DoggyLove’s customers have also been impressed with the packaging – with early customer feedback describing it as “high quality”.

On the experience of working with Sonoco, Mr Wirth says: “We’ve always found our collaboration with Sonoco to be very pleasant and constructive. As a start-up, it was important for us to find the right partner to help bring our products to market and Sonoco has been very supportive during the whole product launch process. The service we’ve received has always been friendly, and both solution- and goal-orientated, with all of our questions dealt with quickly and comprehensively.”

Sascha Di Nardi, Sales Manager at Sonoco Germany, comments: “It’s been a pleasure working with Mr Wirth and the team to bring DoggyLove products to the market. We’re delighted to have found a suitable sustainable alternative in GREENCAN® for their packaging and are pleased to hear that they have had a positive response from their customers too. We look forward to continuing our partnership with DoggyLove in the future.”

About GREENCAN®

The Sonoco GREENCAN® recyclable paperboard package is made of 92-98% paperboard and features a wide range of barrier properties. Available in multiple shapes and sizes – from round, square or rectangular; to oval, oblong or triangular – it is ‘designed to recycle’ paper can, providing a highly recyclable packaging solution, with robust barrier properties.

Sonoco’s GREENCAN® also features an integrated paper lid, so when empty, the whole package can go through the household paper recycling stream without any need to disassemble it. This makes it simple and convenient for the consumer and for the whole recycling process.

About DoggyLove

DoggyLove manufactures high-quality, veterinarian-approved canine snacks that combine health, joy and well-being. For happy dogs and satisfied owners. For more information, visit: doggylove.de/

For more information contact: [email protected]
Tel +44 (0)7747 235 616 or [email protected]
www.sonocoeurope.com

Learn more at DoggyLove and Sonoco Success Story

“GREENCAN® was unlike anything we saw from any other packaging provider, and it appealed to us on multiple levels because of the short delivery times, and because of its sustainability credentials, which are not only ethically important to us, but are also very important to our customers, giving us another angle to talk about in our marketing. Finally, the creative possibilities of being able to employ full-surface printing on the packaging, was also really appealing.”

Christoph Wirth, co-owner of Doggylove

Lasa Mohamad

March 20, 2025

GreenCan®, News, Product, Product Development Innovation

Company News, Consumer Packaging, Customer Solutions, DoggyLove, GreenCan®, new product, new product launch, News, Pet Packaging, petpaperpackaging, recyclability, Sonoco, Sustainability
Sonoco Commits to Sustainable Pet Care, Joins Pet Sustainability Coalition

This strategic alliance underscores Sonoco’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, aligning with PSC’s mission to advance sustainability in the global pet industry.

Sonoco Products Company (“Sonoco” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SON), one of the largest sustainable global packaging companies, announced its membership with the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), reinforcing its dedication to sustainable packaging solutions within the pet care industry. This strategic alliance underscores Sonoco’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, aligning with PSC’s mission to advance sustainability in the global pet industry. Sonoco’s comprehensive packaging solutions span flexible, metal, thermoformed and rigid paper container packaging, offering a versatile range of products to cater to the diverse requirements of the pet care industry.

As a new member of the PSC, Sonoco is poised to collaborate with nearly 200 like-minded companies across the supply chain to drive impactful sustainability initiatives in the pet sector. The PSC, founded in 2013, serves as a pivotal platform for fostering collaborative solutions to enhance social responsibility and reduce environmental footprints within the pet sector.

Sonoco’s entry into the PSC is a natural progression of its commitment to innovation in pet care packaging, backed by in-house R&D and engineering centers that ensure freshness, safety, and convenience. With a focus on material platforms for pet food and treat packaging, Sonoco addresses both market needs and the growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sonoco to the Pet Sustainability Coalition,” expressed Allison Reser, Director of Sustainability & Innovation at PSC. “Packaging suppliers play a critical role in the pet industry, and we need companies like Sonoco to drive innovation and sustainability in pet care and food packaging. Partnerships and a willingness to collaborate are invaluable to create a future where the health of our pets and the planet are in harmony.”

Sonoco’s packaging offerings are tailored to meet the diverse needs of the market globally. In the United States, Sonoco provides a comprehensive suite of packaging solutions, including Flexible, Metal, Thermoformed and Rigid Paper Containers. Meanwhile, in Europe, the focus today is on Metal and Rigid Paper Containers, a testament to the company’s adaptability and customer-centric approach.

Sonoco’s metal packaging offers two- and three-piece steel can solutions and are known for preserving the quality and freshness of wet pet food, whilst its flexible packaging options offer solutions that are recyclable in the paper curbside stream or through store drop-off programs and incorporate recycled content.

Also, in North America and across European markets Sonoco will continue to focus on its rigid paper container offerings, which stands out as a specialty package for premium dry pet food, treats, and boutique pet products. The paper-based solution is a testament to Sonoco’s innovation in sustainable packaging, combining a spiral-wound paperboard can structure with a resealable lid to ensure product freshness and durability during handling and storage and ensure product integrity from shelf to home.

Sonoco’s membership with the PSC goes beyond sustainable packaging, reflecting a broader commitment to investing in what’s right for pets, people, and communities. Through the Sonoco Foundation, Sonoco is reinforcing its motto, “Better Packaging, Better Life” by partnering with the Darlington County Humane Society and reshaping the trajectory of animal welfare and education in Hartsville, South Carolina. “At Sonoco, our commitment to our pets extends beyond innovation; it encompasses a genuine passion for progress in animal welfare. By providing sustainable packaging solutions and empowering our employees with the resources and opportunities to give back, we strive to create a meaningful impact on the lives of pets and the communities we serve.” Ernest Haynes, President, Sonoco Metal Packaging Division. “Through this new partnership with the PSC, Sonoco reaffirms its promise to deliver not only superior packaging solutions, but also to contribute positively to the global sustainability effort.”

For more information about Sonoco’s sustainable packaging solutions and its partnership with the Pet Sustainability Coalition, please visit [Sonoco’s Insights]

“We are thrilled to welcome Sonoco to the Pet Sustainability Coalition. Packaging suppliers play a critical role in the pet industry, and we need companies like Sonoco to drive innovation and sustainability in pet care and food packaging. Partnerships and a willingness to collaborate are invaluable to create a future where the health of our pets and the planet are in harmony.”

Allison Reser, Director of Sustainability & Innovation at Pet Sustainability Coalition

Lasa Mohamad

December 12, 2024

European Investments in sustainability, News, Pet Sustainability Coalition Membership, Product, Product Development Innovation

Consumer Packaging, News, Partnerships, Pet Packaging, Pet Sustainability Coalition, Sonoco, Sustainability

Sonoco Achieves Prestigious Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) Accreditation

NaturDrops Revolutionises Sustainable, Functional Healthy Dog Snacks in GreenCan® Solution

DoggyLove packs plant-based dog treats in Sonoco’s GREENCAN®

Sonoco’s recyclable paper-based cans are a perfect fit with the company’s commitment to natural, organic produce and sustainability

Sonoco Commits to Sustainable Pet Care, Joins Pet Sustainability Coalition

This strategic alliance underscores Sonoco’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, aligning with PSC’s mission to advance sustainability in the global pet industry.