News Items - International Association of Packaging Research Institutes
A new name and a new outlook for Ostfold, Norway
Starting this summer, Norway’s Ostfold Research has become NORSUS (the Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research), and is combining this new name with fresh international perspectives.

Ostfold Research has conducted applied environmental sustainability research since its inception in 1988. The new name means it is no longer identified with a particular region, says MD Ellen-Marie Forsberg. It also allows the institute to communicate more clearly its competence in environmental research, as well as in broader sustainability research, including the social and economic aspects.
 
“Environmental Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and value-chain perspectives are key to our sustainability research, which in turn are crucial for the current European Green Deal and the transformation into a circular economy,” says Forsberg.
 
At the same time, Sven Mollekleiv has been appointed Chairperson of the Board. He has extensive international experience, for example from the UN Global Compact and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. He is eager to help NORSUS achieve its mission of contributing high quality knowledge for a more sustainable society. 
 
NORSUS continues its efforts in the field of sustainable packaging and has over the years increased the volume of national and international applied research projects. Interactions with other environmental indicators, such as food waste and transport efficiency, remain a focus.
 
“We are experiencing an increasing interest in plastics, both as a resource and as a pollutant,” Forsberg adds. “Our research on biodegradable plastics considers the function of the material, and not only the material or product itself.”  
 
Attention to end-of-life scenarios is also becoming more detailed. “Both recycled content in the packaging and end-of-life recycling after use are important issues for assessing the environmental impact of the packaging,” she points out.  
 
 
 

Published: 08/27/20