Zeus Packaging has launched Carbon IQ, a new digital tool designed to help businesses assess the environmental and economic impact of their packaging choices. The platform is part of the company’s broader Zeus “Sustain” initiative and aims to provide greater transparency and data-driven insights into packaging performance.
Developed in collaboration with sustainability software company Nutritics, Carbon IQ uses simplified life cycle assessment methodologies to estimate key environmental indicators such as carbon footprint, energy demand, and eco-cost. The platform draws on established environmental data sources including IDEMAT and covers various stages of the packaging life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, where applicable.
A key feature of the tool, according to the company, is its ability to include Scope 3 emissions, giving users a clearer view of both upstream and downstream impacts associated with their packaging decisions. This is especially relevant for companies working to meet corporate carbon reduction targets or comply with emerging packaging regulations.
Zeus Packaging’s head of sustainability, Declan Breen, said the platform has been developed to support both internal teams and external customers in making more informed, measurable decisions about packaging formats. According to Mr Breen, Carbon IQ enables users to input material specifications, manufacturing processes, and transport data, generating comparative environmental performance results between different packaging options.
The platform also offers a custom grading system that assigns A–E ratings for carbon footprint, eco-cost, and energy usage. These ratings are designed to support easier comparison between products, though they are not aligned to any industry-wide certification. Alongside environmental performance, Carbon IQ also factors in cost implications, enabling users to assess the economic trade-offs of alternative packaging materials, formats, and supply routes.
Keith Ockenden, CEO of Zeus Packaging, described the platform as a timely response to the increased complexity of packaging regulation, including the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility legislation across Europe. He said Carbon IQ allows businesses to explore packaging options that help mitigate these costs while also reducing emissions and maintaining commercial viability.
“Carbon IQ offers clarity and ease of use at a time when businesses need practical tools to evaluate packaging choices based on both environmental impact and cost,” said Mr Ockenden. “It helps customers understand how different packaging formats perform using recognised environmental data and expert-driven analysis.”
Carbon IQ is now live across Zeus operations in the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe. It is being used internally by Zeus procurement and sales teams and externally with customers to identify high-impact areas within packaging portfolios and support progress toward longer-term sustainability goals, particularly in relation to Scope 3 emission reductions.
