Speak Out

Canmaking News
June 2007

Impress have just celebrated their 10 year anniversary as one of the most successful manufacturers in the metal packaging business. Francis Labbé the CEO of Impress, speak's out referring to 'Green and Growing' as the future for Metal Packaging.

They have published a magazine 'Green and Gowing' as part of the 10 year celebrations to emphasise the benefits of metal in the 21st century. Quite often perception falls behind reality. When a situation becomes worse it takes time before people realise this. The same is true when a situation improves. For many years our industry has suffered from a dull, old-fashioned image. So has Impress. However, in reality it is quite different...

It's Growing
In the past, metal packaging was almost given up as a moribund industry, similar to steel and the railways in the early 1980's. Today, both have bounced back from the 'grave' to become buoyant and full of activity once again. In the same way I am convinced that the metal packaging industry has many bright years ahead. This is why we can confidently declare that 'Metal is the Packaging of the 21st Century'. More and more customers are responding positively to our message that metal packaging provides safety, convenience, reliability, cost effectiveness and in our case health and microwaveability.

Impress, since its creation in 1997 has helped develop the rejuvenation of the metal packaging industry. Over the last ten years, we have expanded, consolidated and transformed our business through acquisition and innovation. We have made 9 major acquisitions: France and the USA in the year 2000, Denmark, Poland, Canada, the UK, Germany, Spain, Ukraine and Russia. We have established a group in the Seychelles and Morocco. The strategic partnership in China with O.R.G is also a major breakthrough.We have also launched dozens of new products like the Easy Peel Lid, the 3-finger can, the Tripod Can, the shaped aluminium bowl and the world's thinnest Easy Open end...

It's Green
As packagers we are often confronted by the old refrain that 'packaging is bad for the environment. 'The reality is that food can prevent food wastage of up to 20% in developed countries and up to 50% elsewhere. What is more - and this may come as a surprise to some - metal packaging has the best recycling rates in Europe. In contrast to other materials, metal is renewable. It is a high performer in terms of sustainability criteria: waste, energy and CO2 emissions. As far as waste is concerned, the impact of metal packaging on total waste is just 0.1%. In other words 99.9% of total waste does not come from metal packaging. Energy usage has been halved over the last 20 years and CO2 emissions have been reduced by 65%. The metal packaging industry has an outstanding track record and is committed to continuing in this way.

It's Green and Growing
Empac, the European Metal Packaging trade organisation and Impress are determined to defend and promote our industry. With the help of our suppliers and for the benefit of our customers, we are actively contributing to safe-guarding the environment in which we work the future of our markets and the future or our business. We are now part of an industry whose image is gradually being restored, but there is still much left to be achieved.With the continued support of our shareholders and our experienced management team and employees, over the next ten years we will continue to strive to fulfil our ambitions: to become the best metal packaging company in the world.

Impress
t: +33 2 4348 5100