POLYTEC PASSION CREATES INNOVATION

LIVING RESPONSIBILITY

SUSTAINABILITY AT POLYTEC

Plastics processing involves considerable resource input. For this reason alone, using resources and energy as carefully as possible has always been a corporate principle at POLYTEC. But also for other reasons, POLYTEC attaches great importance to sustainability across the entire company in order to maintain a world worth living in for future generations. To live up to this ecologically and economically ambitious aspiration, the group is pursuing three strategic initiatives: resource conservation, enhanced energy efficiency and reduced environmental emissions.

Resource conservation is an essential principle in all production processes at POLYTEC. In injection moulding, for example, the company increasingly focuses on the processing of regranulate and the use of modern high-precision dosing systems. In addition, process-related sprue is milled directly at the machine wherever possible and returned to the process. Several locations operate central facilities where scrap from production is recycled and the material obtained is reused. This not only cuts down on raw material consumption, but also shortens transport routes and therefore reduces CO2 emissions. POLYTEC has received public recognition for the successful implementation of efficient production processes, for example in the form of different grants. Most recently, the location in Roosendaal was included in the OPZuid regional development programme because of its recycling facility. This initiative of the European Union funds projects which contribute to reducing raw material consumption.

POLYTEC continuously invests in upgrading its plants in order to enhance energy efficiency. The measures include thermal optimisation of pipelines, machinery and buildings, the acquisition of modern, high-performance boilers, comprehensive conversion to LED lighting, the implementation of energy management systems that identify the main consumers and savings potential, and much more. Internal energy cycles have also played a significant role in the reduction of the POLYTEC GROUP’s relative energy consumption over the past years. At the locations in Lohne, Gochsheim, Wolmirstedt and Hörsching, for example, highly efficient heat recovery systems are in operation which enable the use of waste heat from processing plants for other areas such as building heating.

One of POLYTEC’s measures to reduce its emissions is switching to 100 percent renewable sources for its electricity supply. In addition, a uniform, easy-to-remember colour coding system supports correct waste separation. This way, unavoidable waste can be usefully recycled, while residual waste and its disposal costs are reduced at the same time. Another important aspect is the preferred use of water-based paint and the resulting considerable reduction of solvent consumption and environmental emissions. Along with these internal measures, POLYTEC has an even more effective lever: products made by POLYTEC make vehicles lighter and therefore contribute to making mobility ever more efficient and environmentally friendly.

SUSTAINABLE, FORWARD-LOOKING, STABLE

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE AT POLYTEC

Forward-looking, environmentally conscious and prudent actions along its entire value chain determine the operations of the POLYTEC GROUP every day, at every single location of the group. Starting in the second quarter of 2022, a dedicated team under the responsibility of COO Heiko Gabbert will be dealing with all matters concerning sustainability – this way, POLYTEC will give new momentum to this topic.


POLYTEC once again stepped up its efforts regarding environmental and climate protection in 2021. As part of a large-scale sustainability initiative, preparations began for the construction of a recycling plant in Ebensee. The installation of photovoltaic systems at the locations in Hörsching and ­Wolmirstedt was completed, and further regenerative energy recovery ­systems are already being planned.

 

Resource conservation at all levels

In 2021, POLYTEC expanded its energy management system, allowing it to better measure, and subsequently optimise, its own consumption. Consumption and measurement were also important focal points in the areas of material and waste. Based on external and internal audits, specific targets were defined in all areas and the corresponding measures were implemented or initiated. The company’s employees were actively involved in this process.

 

Employee satisfaction increases efficiency

The latter also applies to initiatives which POLYTEC took in personnel management in the past financial year, for example the new employer branding. It gives the company an attractive image in the labour market while at the same time strengthening the team spirit among existing employees, which subsequently also helps improve employee satisfaction. Read more about the new employer branding and other HR topics in the POLYTEC GROUP here​​​​​​​.
 

 

Engineering for more sustainability

In engineering, a specific research focus is dedicated to sustainable materials – in this context, POLYTEC is working on solutions for the processing of recycled materials and the design of products that are more sustainable throughout their entire life cycle.

 

ESG is gaining importance

To give the environment, social, governance (ESG) topic special emphasis, a dedicated team under the responsibility of COO Heiko Gabbert will address these issues starting from the second quarter of 2022. In doing so, POLYTEC demonstrates that sustainability means more to the company than just collecting and compiling indicators. Rather, the declared goal is to embrace sustainability authentically and comprehensively throughout the group. Although sustainability topics have long been embedded in various departments of the POLYTEC GROUP, they are now becoming even more transparent, comprehensible and easier to verify for all stakeholders thanks to the central positioning and management. This is required not least by the new Taxonomy Regulation of the European Union, which aims to make companies’ climate and environmental protection activities easier to measure and compare, and to provide guidance for investors and customers for investment and purchasing decisions.

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EU Taxonomy: a yardstick for sustainability

The Taxonomy Regulation of the European Union entered into force in June 2020. The framework is intended to motivate companies to make their economic activities more environmentally and climate-friendly on the basis of measurable targets. In addition, the EU aims to counteract greenwashing and direct finance flows towards sustainable activities and technologies. 

In accordance with the Regulation, POLYTEC publishes the proportion of its turnover, capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) which can be assigned to the classifications of the Taxonomy. However, it also deliberately uses the Taxonomy to analyse its sustainability strategy and as a yardstick for current and future sustainability initiatives. 
 

Participation in the Carbon ­Disclosure Project

POLYTEC also pursues enhanced transparency for its customers by participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which collects data on greenhouse gas emissions, climate risks and reduction targets by means of a questionnaire and makes them publicly available. 

The results of the CDP surveys are evaluated and published as part of a ranking of the participating companies. POLYTEC’s results were published in December 2021. There have been numerous customer enquiries since then, proving how important sustainable ­action is for successful business relationships today.

In the 2021 financial year, POLYTEC saved more than 20,000 tonnes of CO2 compared to the previous year, thereof roughly 14,000 tonnes by using green electricity.

SUNNY ENERGY FUTURE

PHOTOVOLTAICS

POLYTEC focuses on emission-free and sustainable energy production as part of its decarbonisation strategy. In the future, the group will produce up to 10 GWh of green electricity per year using photovoltaic systems on the rooftops of its plants. A beginning has already been made: between May and September 2021 a photovoltaic system with a nominal power of approximately 500 kWp and covering an area of more than 2,500 square meters was installed at the Hörsching plant. The 1,350 modules prevent 232 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year at the location in Upper Austria. For the time being – because an increase in nominal power to a total of 1,100 kWp is already a done deal.

The second photovoltaic system completed in 2021 is located at the plant in Wolmirstedt, Germany. Its electrical power totals 614 kWp. Specific project plans for the locations in Lohne, ­Weierbach and Gochsheim are also in full swing. In this context, the use of open space is also being reviewed. 

In addition to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the company’s own electricity production has a positive side effect: due to the current sharp increase in energy prices, significant economic benefits are likely to arise in the long term as well. Photovoltaics are therefore a sensible investment in the future in every way.

MORE SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT

The question about the durability of products and the fate of the raw materials contained in them after the end of their service life has gained increasing importance over the past years. Based on a well-founded life cycle assessment, ­POLYTEC supports its customers in making their supply chains more sustainable.


​​​​​​​Sustainability aspects no longer just have sociopolitical importance. Rather, they are among the central criteria for awarding a contract, along with product quality and efficiency. Based on this knowledge, POLYTEC is expanding its activities in the area of life cycle assessment (LCA). Because the company not only wants to offer its customers the best products in the market, but also to consciously support them in the development of sustainable product concepts which ensure longer service life, environmentally friendly disposal and maximum recyclability of the materials used.

 

Starting point for sustainable concepts

In the development of such concepts, experts from different areas of the POLYTEC GROUP collaborate within the framework of the POLYTEC SOLUTION FORCE. They combine materials and manufacturing methods, considering the effects of every single technology on the ecological footprint of the product. Results of such life cycle engineering include products made by using the differential construction method. These products are easier to repair and also easier to separate and recycle at the end of their life cycle. Or components made of the same type of material: for example, a polyamide injection-moulded fibre composite reinforced by polyamide fibres is much easier to recycle than composite materials made of completely different base materials.

 

Measures for sustainable ­competitiveness

In order to remain competitive in the future, POLYTEC has stepped up its life cycle assessment with a number of measures, for example building internal know-how, training offers such as the module “Sustainability in Engineering”, with specialised software solutions to collect valid data, or the goal of being certified as a “Life Cycle Assessment Certified Professional”. 

Starting with two lighthouse projects in the underbody segment, the aim is to review all POLYTEC products, step by step, for their environmental impact – from development to production through to the end of their life cycle. Life cycle management thus paves the way to increased sustainability along the entire value chain for the POLYTEC GROUP and its customers.