Sustainable Packaging: Up to 75% Less CO2
Making packaging “greener”: That is the goal of the ARDEX Group worldwide. Because acting sustainably and responsibly is part of the company’s DNA. The recycling of materials and the use of IBC containers is intended to noticeably reduce waste volumes and CO2 emissions. Three of many examples of sustainable approaches at ARDEX.
ARDEX Scandinavia: new buckets, same top quality
ARDEX in Scandinavia just introduced new buckets, that are made of 75% recycled plastic (PCR). And the only difference between the new 5- and 20-kg buckets and the old ones is the color: Many buckets are now partially gray instead of white.
“We teamed up with our plastics supplier to change these buckets. After all, this is the area where we use the most plastic. The supplier was immediately on board and excited about providing buckets made from recycled plastic“, says Michael Nielsen, Managing Director of ARDEX Scandinavia.
ARDEX Germany: Grout in a recycled bucket
Meanwhile in Germany, ARDEX G 10 grout is one of the first products made from recycled plastic. At the same time ARDEX has changed the shape of the buckets.
“We started in two places: the material and the size of the buckets. By using recycled plastic alone, we save 75% of CO2 emissions. In addition, the new bucket helps us close the material cycle because it can be recycled again afterwards. And the bucket is narrower. As a result, it requires less material and we can now fit 90 buckets on a pallet instead of 60. This also reduces emissions generated during transport.”
Dr. Julia Soldat, Sustainability Officer of the ARDEX Group
There are also other positive effects: Less plastic has to be produced, thus, less plastic waste ends up in landfills – and ultimately less in the oceans.
Wakol: recyclable and IBC containers
Wakol, the global producer of flooring installation products, is taking a two-pronged approach to sustainable packaging. On the one hand, more and more containers are being produced with PCR. The share is between 30 and 50% – the higher the PCR content, the darker the color of the container. Customers can also easily identify the recycled packaging by a logo on the label. The aim is to save 150 metric tons of new plastics by the end of 2022 with these new containers.
On the other hand, WAKOL uses IBC containers for the distribution of larger quantities, especially for sealants and industrial adhesives. They can be returned to the container supplier for reconditioning – which is free of charge for Wakol customers throughout Europe. The IBC supplier then only replaces individual components, after which it can be used again.
About ARDEX : The ARDEX Group is one of the global market leaders for high-performance specialty building materials. As a family-owned business, the company has pursued a sustainable growth path for more than 70 years. ARDEX now has more than 3,900 employees and is present in over 50 countries on all continents, with a virtually comprehensive presence in one of its core markets, Europe. With almost twenty major brands, ARDEX generates total sales of more than 930 million EUR worldwide.
About Wakol: The Wakol GmbH is a leading family business with more than 200 employees in the group and is headquartered in Pirmasens, Germany. Wakol develops, produces and distributes adhesives and compounds with high quality standards. The selected niche market offer excellent growth opportunities at home and abroad, with the customer always top of mind. For more information, visit www.wakol.com.