Foilco, which also achieved B-corp status in February, reached Scope One and Two carbon neutrality through a combination of reducing its emissions and offsetting through carbon credits, meaning it does not contribute any net emissions directly or through power it consumes.

The company now plans to tackle its emissions up and down the supply chain – known as Scope Three emissions – and is currently working to produce a roadmap to net zero emissions.

Paul Hornby, Foilco’s managing director, said: “For the foil and print industry to prosper and grow long term, our collective focus on the environment must be at the forefront of the way we all do business. 

“Our starting point at Foilco was to measure our carbon emissions through robust data and tracking. From that base, we then looked at where we could reduce and offset our carbon emissions.”

Foilco first reduced its emissions drastically by switching to renewably sourced electricity, and reducing its usage by installing LED lighting, and recycling or repurposing all operational waste. 

The firm was also the first foil company to introduce a foil recovery scheme.

Foilco then committed to offsetting its remaining direct emissions through Ecologi, which counts its deforestation prevention, renewable energy generation, and sustainable development initiatives against clients’ emissions.

Hornby added: “While becoming carbon neutral is a proud milestone for Foilco, it’s just one step in our journey to net zero. Our focus now is on our Scope Three emissions across all greenhouse gases. This means analysing our entire business, from manufacture and our suppliers to the way our customers use Foilco products. 

“It’s our priority to ensure that our carbon neutrality and net zero targets are grounded in climate science to truly make a meaningful difference.”

Foilco has also recently succeeded in proving the compostability of two of its most popular foils, one pigment and one metallic foil.

Exceeding the EU’s EN 13432 composting guidelines by a wide margin, both in terms of disintegration and microbial decomposition, the tests also found no adverse effects in terms of toxicity.

Foilco has now begun composting its own damaged and obsolete promotional material at its Lowton facility near Warrington.

The company employs just under 50, and was founded in 1987 by David Hornby, father of the current two owners Matt and Paul Hornby. In 2022, it exported to 70 countries worldwide.