Tetra Pak Retains EcoVadis Platinum Medal for Sustainability
Tetra Pak has secured a Platinum medal from EcoVadis for the second year running. The packaging firm scored 87 out of 100 in the latest assessment, placing it in the top 1% of over 150,000 companies evaluated globally. This marks an improvement on last year's score of 85 points.
The result matters because EcoVadis ratings carry weight with procurement teams, investors and regulators. For businesses buying packaging or working with food supply chains, these scores offer a shorthand view of how a supplier manages sustainability risks. Moreover, the consistency of Tetra Pak's performance over two consecutive years suggests systems are embedded rather than reactive.
EcoVadis assesses four areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Companies submit evidence of policies, management processes and performance data. The system then evaluates how effectively firms identify material risks, implement controls and report results. Platinum status is reserved for organisations scoring above the 99th percentile in a rolling 12-month period.
For UK businesses, particularly those in food manufacturing or retail, this kind of external validation is becoming a baseline expectation. Procurement notices increasingly reference supplier sustainability ratings. Consequently, firms without credible third-party assessments may find themselves excluded from tender processes or subject to additional scrutiny during contract renewals.
How Tetra Pak's score breaks down across assessment categories
The company reported gains in three areas: environmental performance, ethics and sustainable procurement. EcoVadis scores between 85 and 100 indicate what the assessor describes as a mature, comprehensive and proactive sustainability management system. However, the rating reflects the quality of management processes rather than absolute environmental impact.
Tetra Pak's progression is notable. Published performance data shows the company held a Gold medal in 2023 and 2024 before moving to Platinum in 2025. This trajectory reflects strengthened documentation, improved supplier engagement and enhanced reporting aligned with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards.
The supplier dimension is particularly relevant. Tetra Pak reports that 86% of its strategic suppliers now hold a valid EcoVadis assessment. This figure demonstrates that the company is extending oversight beyond its own operations into the supply chain. For businesses evaluating packaging suppliers, this matters because Scope 3 emissions often represent the largest share of total carbon footprint.
Packaging sits at the centre of multiple sustainability pressures. Raw material sourcing, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, recyclability and labour conditions all attract scrutiny from regulators and campaigners. In addition, the sector faces specific challenges around end-of-life infrastructure, contamination in recycling streams and the performance gap between designed recyclability and actual recovery rates.
Broader sustainability reporting and external recognition beyond EcoVadis
Tetra Pak also engages with the CDP environmental disclosure system. The company achieved an A- rating for water security in recent performance data. CDP evaluates corporate transparency and action on climate change, deforestation and water stewardship. These assessments complement EcoVadis by focusing on specific environmental themes rather than overall management systems.
The company frames its sustainability agenda around food systems transformation. It identifies the need to improve food security and availability while reducing environmental impact across production, processing, packaging and distribution. This positions packaging as an enabler of food safety and waste reduction rather than solely as a source of material waste.
Alignment with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards is significant. These standards require more granular disclosure of environmental, social and governance impacts, risks and opportunities. As the UK develops its own sustainability disclosure regime, businesses can expect similar reporting expectations to emerge. Therefore, companies that have already built reporting infrastructure will face lower compliance costs when new requirements take effect.
For SMEs in the food supply chain, the implications are practical. Large customers increasingly request supplier sustainability data as a condition of contract. Furthermore, businesses that cannot demonstrate credible management systems or provide third-party verification may face commercial disadvantage. This is especially true in public sector procurement where social value and carbon reduction criteria now carry formal weighting.
What UK businesses should understand about EcoVadis ratings
- Platinum medals are awarded to companies scoring above the 99th percentile of all firms assessed in the preceding 12 months.
- Scores between 85 and 100 indicate mature sustainability management systems supported by evidence of strong practices and results.
- EcoVadis evaluates four areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.
- Ratings are valid for the assessment period and typically require annual reassessment to remain current.
- The system measures management processes and documented performance rather than conducting independent verification of all sustainability claims.
- Over 150,000 companies have been assessed globally, making EcoVadis one of the most widely referenced business sustainability rating systems.
- Tetra Pak's score improved from 85 in the previous year to 87 in the latest assessment, with gains in environmental performance, ethics and sustainable procurement.
Commercial implications for food manufacturers and retailers
The shift from aspirational commitments to measured systems is reshaping procurement relationships. Buyers now expect suppliers to demonstrate sustainability performance through recognised frameworks rather than self-reported claims. As a result, businesses without third-party verification face growing pressure to invest in assessment processes or risk losing contracts.
For Tetra Pak's customers, the Platinum rating provides assurance that sustainability risks in packaging supply are being managed systematically. This reduces due diligence burden on procurement teams and supports compliance with their own ESG reporting requirements. However, buyers should still scrutinise specific performance areas relevant to their operations, such as recycled content, carbon intensity and end-of-life infrastructure.
The emphasis on supplier assessment is equally important. Tetra Pak's figure of 86% strategic suppliers with valid EcoVadis assessments illustrates how large firms cascade sustainability requirements down the value chain. UK SMEs supplying into these networks should anticipate similar requests. In many cases, achieving a credible rating will become a precondition for maintaining supply relationships.
Public sector suppliers face particularly direct consequences. PPN 06/21 requires contracting authorities to evaluate suppliers' carbon reduction plans for contracts above £5 million per annum. Additionally, social value criteria are weighted in tender evaluations. Suppliers with established sustainability management systems and credible third-party ratings can respond to these requirements more efficiently and with greater confidence.
The packaging sector's challenges extend beyond corporate management systems. Collection infrastructure, contamination rates, export markets for recyclate and investment in reprocessing capacity all affect whether packaging designed as recyclable actually gets recycled. Consequently, even companies with strong management ratings must engage with these systemic barriers to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes.
What businesses should consider when responding to sustainability expectations
First, understand what your customers and regulators actually require. Procurement questionnaires, tender criteria and contract terms increasingly specify sustainability evidence. Start by mapping these requirements to identify which frameworks or ratings apply to your sector. Subsequently, assess whether your current systems and documentation would meet those standards.
Second, prioritise supplier engagement if your business sits within a larger value chain. Tier-one suppliers to major firms will face direct requests for sustainability assessments. However, these requirements flow down to smaller suppliers as well. Early engagement with carbon reporting and compliance support can prevent rushed responses when customers issue formal requests.
Third, align internal systems with recognised reporting standards. The European Sustainability Reporting Standards provide a comprehensive framework that is influencing UK policy development. Building reporting processes around these standards reduces the risk of rework when domestic requirements crystallise. Furthermore, structured data collection improves the quality of disclosures and supports more credible external assessments.
Fourth, consider whether third-party assessment makes commercial sense for your business. EcoVadis and similar systems involve costs and resource commitment. However, for firms supplying into procurement processes that weight sustainability performance, the investment can be justified by contract retention and access to new opportunities. Training through resources such as the SBS Academy can build internal capability to manage assessment processes efficiently.
Fifth, recognise the difference between management systems and environmental outcomes. High ratings indicate mature processes for identifying risks, setting policies and tracking performance. They do not automatically translate into eliminated emissions or zero waste. Therefore, businesses should treat ratings as a foundation for continuous improvement rather than a destination.
Sixth, engage with sector-specific challenges that affect your ability to deliver measurable impact. In packaging, this includes recycling infrastructure, material innovation and supply chain transparency. Collaborative approaches through industry bodies and supplier networks can address barriers that individual companies cannot solve alone.
Where to find authoritative guidance and assessment resources
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provides policy updates and guidance on carbon reporting, net zero targets and climate-related disclosure requirements. This source is essential for understanding how UK regulatory expectations are evolving.
EcoVadis publishes methodology documentation and performance benchmarks on its platform. Businesses considering assessment can access guidance on evidence requirements and scoring criteria. Similarly, CDP offers resources on environmental disclosure covering climate, water and forests.
The Procurement Policy Note 06/21 sets out carbon reduction plan requirements for public sector suppliers. Understanding these expectations is critical for businesses tendering for government contracts or supplying public bodies indirectly through prime contractors.
Industry bodies such as the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment provide professional guidance, training and networking for sustainability practitioners. These resources support capability development and help businesses interpret assessment frameworks in their operational context.
For businesses seeking practical support with ESG compliance and carbon reporting, working with experienced advisors can accelerate progress and reduce the risk of misaligned effort. Expert guidance helps translate framework requirements into actionable plans suited to your sector and supply chain position.