FOCUS ON: SUSTAINABILITY IN BALLOONS
Inset: Melon has joined the Sempertex pastel matte family, available in a range of sizes.
Green BALLOONS W
ith foil and helium as some of the key materials in the balloon industry’s manufacturing process, it’s arguably been a more challenging process for suppliers to become truly sustainable, than it has for companies in other sectors. Entire product ranges have been changed, with manufacturing and business processes also coming under examination. But the industry has risen to the challenge, with many placing sustainability at the forefront of their business planning and ethos. Mark Brett, sales and marketing director at ITI (UK), outlines: “Sustainability has been the hot topic over the last 12 months, and so it should. Latex Occidental is currently undergoing an audit for FSC, both balloons and packaging. We, as a company, at ITI (UK), are starting to introduce Right: The bases of the new standups from Grabo are customised to the balloon, offering a reusable, and helium free option. Far right: Grabo has a standup for any occasion, offering a sustainable way to celebrate.
more product packed in paper/card packaging and no plastic. We have just launched a range of balloon garlands which don’t have plastic strips or glue dots. Latex obviously comes from trees, but we need to ensure that there is sustainability within the plantations.” Gloria Veta, global brand and sales director at Gemar, tells us: “All manufacturers, in all sectors,
Certain sectors of industry are under more scrutiny when it comes to sustainability practices, as their products were traditionally crafted from less eco-friendly materials. The balloon industry could be placed in this category, but the suppliers in the sector have worked tirelessly to improve their eco-credentials, diversify their product ranges to new, sustainable materials, and create more environmentally friendly businesses as a whole. PPE found out what the latest developments have been. have a responsibility to be more sustainable – and Gemar’s no exception. Meeting the increasing concerns of our customers, we’re investing and improving all the time. “The first balloon and party business to embrace GRI sustainability reporting guidelines, we’re working hard to be more responsible in every area of our work. As part of this, we’ve signed up to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), covering everything from human rights to anticorruption and the environment. “Every improvement we introduce makes a difference, however small. And making a difference is what we want to do. We want to get this message across at every opportunity, and on every channel. Gemar balloons are 100% bio-based made with a renewable material, caoutchouc sourced from FSC certified plantations. All our packaging is reusable, recyclable and/or FSC certified.” For many, sustainability has become part of the heart of their company. Jonathan Grassi, executive managing director of Grabo, explains: “At Grabo, there are three main ingredients that underlie every idea, product and project. These words are quality, sustainability and trend. In this new year, we set ourselves the goal of creating new high quality products, always keeping up with the trends that the market shows and in turn, leading the consumer to respect the surrounding environment.” Amscan’s marketing and design coordinator, Emily Duke, describes the company’s approach: “Here at Amscan, we’re already on a sustainable journey,
36 MARCH/APRIL 2023 PROGRESSIVE PARTY EUROPE
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