Esko unveils integrated carbon calculation capability developed with CarbonQuota

Packaging Solutions

Esko has unveiled a new carbon emission calculation capability developed in partnership with CarbonQuota. This integrated solution enables brands and packaging converters to accurately measure and reduce their environmental impact through automated carbon footprint calculations, helping them meet sustainability goals and comply with evolving regulatory requirements.

The new capability, available through Esko’s S2 platform, connects with CarbonQuota’s calculation engine to provide carbon footprint data at the design stage, during product development, and in production. This transformative approach allows companies to evaluate environmental impact throughout the entire packaging lifecycle.

‘Sustainability is no longer a choice, but a necessity across the packaging value chain,’ said Geert De Proost, director product partnerships at Esko. ‘As climate change concerns intensify, consumers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious and exerting pressure on companies to adopt less impactful practices, while increasing regulations are applying pressure on brands to take more responsibility for their broader environmental impact.

‘The open nature of S2 means we have been able to work with CarbonQuota to make it possible for users to connect with their calculation engine and integrate automated carbon footprint reporting within the Esko workflow platform. With this new capability we are enriching our ecosystem and making it significantly easier for customers to effectively calculate the carbon footprint of any package or label design.

‘To do this at the very start of the production process paves the way for the most sustainable packaging solution for the end user. This new partnership with CarbonQuota makes it simpler for our customers across the value chain to meet their own sustainability goals – driven by both mounting regulatory demands and escalating consumer expectation.’

The partnership addresses several key challenges facing the packaging industry. Brands and converters have been struggling with time consuming manual carbon footprint calculations, and this integration automates these critical processes. With legislation like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and carbon taxes on the horizon, businesses urgently need reliable measurement tools to ensure compliance. Additionally, major brands are increasingly requiring environmental impact data from their suppliers, creating pressure throughout the value chain. The solution leverages Esko’s big data capabilities to provide actionable sustainability insights, enabling better decision making at every stage of packaging development.

Founded in the UK in 2019 by Dominic Harris and Nathan Tiller, CarbonQuota was developed through extensive research into the most reliable and scientifically valid sources of carbon data.

‘As consumer brands face mounting pressure to deliver on ambitious sustainability promises, their suppliers grapple with practical implementation challenges, creating a widening communication gap that's further complicated by inconsistent standards and tight financial margins on both sides,’ said Dominic Harris. ‘Brands wanted sustainability, but print and packaging suppliers couldn't keep up. The path forward lies in finding collaborative solutions that better align these disconnected perspectives in the packaging industry.’

The carbon calculation capability is now available in the Esko S2 platform, with Cape Prime integration scheduled for June. Phoenix and WebCenter integrations are currently in development, with a comprehensive roadmap planned for 2025 and beyond.

A recent European Commission survey found that 73% of EU citizens consider a product’s environmental impact important when making purchasing decisions. With regulatory frameworks like the EU’s PPWR, CSRD, and evolving legislation across Asia and different U.S. states, brands are now expected to track, measure, and disclose their sustainability impact with unprecedented accuracy.

‘This groundbreaking platform eliminates the disconnect by standardizing methodologies, streamlining data collection, and providing verified environmental impact measurements that both brands and converters can trust,’ said Geert De Proost. ‘This latest strategic collaboration delivers an unparalleled solution to customers, equipping brands and their packaging suppliers with the power to overcome one of the most significant challenges they face today.’