Graham Packaging, a leading innovator in packaging solutions, is proud to announce the commercialization of its AccuStrength® technology. This proprietary extrusion blow-molding process is set to reimagine sustainability and design in the packaging industry, marking a significant leap forward in lightweighting practices.

Launched last fall in collaboration with one of Graham’s prominent laundry customers, AccuStrength® is a perfect marriage between heightened performance and lightweight sustainable packaging. This exclusive-to-Graham technology allows for the application of additional vertical layers of plastic that can be precisely adjusted to specific areas of a container. This strategic material placement improves load-bearing performance and is ideal for areas prone to buckling or deflection.

Ideal for larger oval or rectangular containers, AccuStrength® concentrates most of the weight in areas of the bottle where it is needed the most for structural integrity. By doing so, AccuStrength® has the capability to produce containers that are up to 15% lighter.

“We are thrilled to introduce AccuStrength® as a game-changer in the packaging industry,” said Steve Estok, president of the home care and industrial business unit at Graham Packaging. “This technology not only enhances the structural integrity of containers but also addresses the urgent need for sustainable packaging solutions. We believe AccuStrength® will set a new standard for lightweighting and positively impact the entire supply chain.”

Utilizing AccuStrength® technology not only reduces a product’s environmental impact but also translates into tangible cost savings in both fuel and shipping. This lightweighting technology enables brands to use less plastic overall and has a lower carbon footprint aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly practices.

To learn more about Graham Packaging’s AccuStrength® technology, click here.

Graham Packaging, an industry leader in rigid plastic packaging, announces the release of its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. This report highlights the company’s progress, performance and initiatives related to sustainability, social priorities and corporate responsibility.

“At Graham Packaging, we are committed to building a sustainable future,” said Bob Pyle, President and Chief Executive Officer, Graham Packaging.  “Our dedication to sustainability, inclusivity, and transparency is not just about improving our own carbon footprint. It’s also about supporting our customers in achieving their sustainability goals.”

Highlights of the report include:

• Success with a Safety First approach resulted in the lowest number of recordable safety incidents (at 29 incidents over more than 7 million hours worked and more than 5,000 employees) in company history for the second year in a row.
• 1 ESG ranking in the Containers & Packaging industry by Morningstar Sustainalytics. Graham’s negligible-risk rating of 9.6 is a testament to the relentless dedication, innovative thinking and culture of responsibility among its employees.
• Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approved greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to sustainability and reducing the impact on the environment.
• GHG emissions reduction of 20% from a 2020 baseline.
• Commercialization of Graham’s patented AccuStrength™ lightweighting technology at up to 15% lighter than traditional bottles.
• Continued investment in people by focusing on employee health, safety and wellbeing, DEI, and employee attraction, training and retention. Progress across each of those impact areas has been driven by Graham’s Blue Culture of excellence and accountability, launched in 2022.

“As a People, Planet and Values-Focused company, we are continuously working to integrate sustainability into our strategies, operations and culture,” said Tracee Auld, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer. “This report reflects our steadfast commitment to driving meaningful change by providing transparent data on performance and progress, solidifying our leadership in sustainable manufacturing.”

To read Graham Packaging’s ESG Report, click here.

Graham Packaging is proud to announce that President and Chief Executive Officer, Bob Pyle, is a recipient of The National Safety Council’s 2024 CEOs Who “Get It” Award. Only presented to seven leaders annually, this national recognition celebrates safety leaders who go the extra mile to protect employees both on and off the job.

“I am honored to receive the recognition,” said Pyle. “I’d like to recognize our outstanding safety team and our dedicated employees without whom this recognition would not be possible. At Graham, we believe that if we do the right things, all accidents are preventable, and as CEO, it is my most important job is to create a safe and healthy environment for our employees across the globe.”

In his three years at Graham Packaging, Pyle has reshaped Graham’s approach to safety through his visionary initiatives including the establishment of an Executive Safety Council, adoption of a Safety First, Quality Focused mindset and orchestration of a U.S.-wide employee Safety Perception Survey.

“What sets Bob apart is his unwavering dedication to making sure every member of the Graham Packaging team comprehends the significance of our safety mission,” said Roy Osborne, Graham Global Vice President – Risk Management, Environmental, Occupational Health & Safety. “By constantly reinforcing why our efforts matter – to our associates, their families and the communities we touch – Bob nurtures and instills a culture of safety that extends far beyond our doors.”

In 2023, Graham Packaging achieved the lowest number of recordable incidents – 29 – in company history across an employee population of more than 5,000. On average, a Graham facility operates 1,355 days, or 3.7 years, without a recordable incident. Additionally, Graham’s overall total recordable incident rate is better than the general industry by 85% and its peers in plastic bottle manufacturing by 62%*.

To read Bob’s full Q&A with The National Safety Council in its Safety + Health magazine, click here.

*According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Graham Packaging is now ranked No. 1 in the Containers & Packaging industry by Morningstar Sustainalytics, a global leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG) research, ratings and data. The company also ranked in the top two percent of over 15,000 companies assessed by Morningstar Sustainalytics globally. Graham’s risk score of 9.6 indicates they have negligible exposure to ESG risk.  In addition, Graham Packaging has been recognized as a Morningstar Sustainalytics ESG Industry Top Rated company in 2023, as well as an ESG Regional Top Rated Company.

“We are very proud to have earned this top ESG Risk Rating. This rating is a reflection of our people and commitment to sustainability, propelling us all toward a more viable future,” said Graham Packaging President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Pyle. “This accomplishment reaffirms the value we place on transparency and Graham’s strong environmental stewardship, social responsibility and ethical practices, all of which are woven into our core business strategy and support the values of our customers, shareholders, employees and other important stakeholders.”

Morningstar Sustainalytics’ ESG risk ratings assess how well a company manages industry-specific material risks related to environmental, social and governance factors, helping them identify and understand ESG risks that could affect their long-term performance.  Morningstar Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Ratings distinguish between five levels of risk: negligible, low, medium, high and severe, with a lower score equating to a better risk assessment. Graham Packaging’s negligible-risk rating of 9.6 shows they have strong risk-mitigation strategies in place.

“This success is a testament to the relentless dedication, innovative thinking and a culture of responsibility of our employees.” said Graham Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer Tracee Auld. “We remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and contributing meaningfully to a more sustainable future.”

“Our high standards and alignment with global best practices underscore our unwavering commitment to a holistic approach to sustainability,” added Vice President of Sustainability Richa Desai. “From supply chain transparency to product development, and from employee well-being to community engagement, sustainability is embedded at every stage. This approach has not only mitigated risks but has also created value and resilience for the company and our stakeholders.”

In addition to its negligible risk rating, Graham Packaging also topped its peers in risk management, reflecting how well the company manages its relevant ESG issues and assesses the robustness of its sustainability programs, practices and policies.

To learn more about Graham Packaging’s sustainability efforts, please visit grahampackaging.com/sustainability.