How Eason Luo is Helping Revolutionize Packaging Sustainability at McCormick China

When Eason Luo, Packaging Manager at McCormick China, joined the company in 2018, he knew he was entering unchartered waters. With China relatively new to the sustainability space, providing packaging development to factories in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Wuhan would be ground-breaking.

In his role, Eason is responsible for all packaging initiatives. He finds innovative ways to improve the packaging of existing products by making them more sustainable. He conducts the necessary testing on new products to determine whether plastic or paper will give them a longer shelf life, and constantly searches for ways to make packaging more efficient and cost-effective. Eason also supports new product launches by tracking their progress over time. For example, when McCormick creates a new sauce or seasoning, he collaborates with his colleagues in Research & Development (R&D) to determine how the new product should be packaged. He evaluates different designs that will make the product convenient to use, environmentally friendly, and aesthetically attractive.

Earning Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering and Industrial Management and Packaging Engineering has prepared Eason for addressing and adhering to quality standards and generating cost-saving ideas. He has given credence to the practice that McCormick China should always have more than one supplier for each product. “Having multiple suppliers allows for better lead time because we can acquire the same components from different sources, resulting in getting what we need in minimal time,” Eason said. 

Eason’s role directly impacts McCormick’s Purpose-led Performance (PLP) goals. These include reducing packaging carbon footprint by 25 percent and having 100 percent circular plastics packaging - meaning that it can be reused, recycled, or repurposed – by 2025. As the McCormick China team works to achieve these goals, Eason and the R&D team understand the magnitude of the task at hand. They grasp the urgency of finding a solution and focus their efforts on upgrading packaging to recyclable-ready through various degrees of testing. They visit manufacturing plants to better understand the current Chinese recycling system. “One of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of available recycling systems and technical solutions for package components,” Eason said. “Currently, only clear plastic bottles, glass, and aluminum cans are being recycled.”  

Being a pioneer in the field can be tough, but it does not deter Eason. Instead, it motivates him to learn as much as he can about sustainability in packaging as fast as he can. One way he acquires this knowledge is by connecting with McCormick colleagues across the globe to learn how they do packaging development in their part of the world. The goal is to leverage that information to help McCormick China move forward. Eason is also inspired by fact that China joined The Paris Agreement in 2016.

As a member of Packaging Manager and Packaging Family, Eason acquires knowledge by attending conferences and social events with other professionals in the industry. “I am always seeking out people who have experience in setting up recycling systems. Whether it be my peers at other companies, officers of non-government organizations, people in regulatory affairs, or policymakers, we can all learn from each other. The more willing we are to share, the more achievable our PLP goals will be,” said Eason. 

After attending conferences and seminars, Eason presents what he learned to his colleagues at McCormick China. He is especially eager to share sustainable packaging news and related policy updates. These discussions help ensure the team is on the right track with their initiatives and heading in the right direction. The Operations, Quality, and Procurement teams are strong advocates of the sustainability initiatives McCormick China is driving. They believe it is the right thing to do for people, communities, and our planet.

Among his accomplishments, Eason is most proud of is McCormick China’s ability to use 100 percent BPA-free components in all packaging, which is transpiring in 2022. BPA, or bisphenol A, is a component of coatings often used on the inside of food and beverage cans. Exposure to or consumption of BPA is unhealthy as it is considered a toxic substance as it can impact the health of children as well as adults. "By removing materials harmful to people's health and to the environment, I am using my expertise to promote healthier living, and that makes me proud,” said Eason. He also accomplished his goal of completing a Master’s degree in Management Science and Engineering last year, despite the global pandemic. 

Progress in the sustainability space is being made every day in China and Eason is excited to be a part of the journey. He is committed to increasing the sustainability of McCormick China’s packaging, meeting the PLP goals, and through innovation, helping revolutionize package recycling in China. 

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