With its manifesto of sustainability, Greiner Packaging International is the model role for the packaging branch.
“Blue Packaging“ unites the responsible handling of raw materials & resources, the production of sustainable packaging solutions and far-reaching infrastructure investments. Greiner Packaging International, the Austrian packaging producer with the prominent red “The Pack“ logo is committed to “Blue Packaging“ – underscored by its new manifesto of sustainability.
Kremsmünster, September 2012. “In times of severe global changes there is a huge demand for solid values and clear messages. Therefore, particularly right now in the light of dwindling resources, and climatic and demographic changes, we have made a commitment to sustainable management. Our manifesto of sustainability rests upon three strong tiers,“ says Willi Eibner, CEO of Greiner Packaging International. These three tiers are raw materials & resources, products, and infrastructure.
Raw materials & resources
D-PET and R-PET are two prime examples of Greiner Packaging International‘s responsible handling of raw materials & resources. D-PET stands for “Direct PET" and is synonymous with the revolutionary production method of this raw material. It requires 67% less electric power than the traditional method for the production of A-PET rigid foil, and its CO2 footprint is 25% smaller. R-PET is short for “Recycled PET.“ Trading groups in the U.S. and Great Britain in particular promote its use. Greiner Packaging International is capable of processing R-PET in many existing plants at many of its production facilities. While doing so, internal waste material is optimally utilized through in-house recycling.
Products
More than ever, the market requires sustainable packaging solutions. This development is driven by efforts to minimize CO2 emissions and energy consumption while increasing the incstances of recycling. With K3®-E all of these aspects are united in a single packaging solution that is setting new standards. Its proportion of plastics was lowered by as much as 70%. Fiber-based raw material (and also recycled cardboard) is used for the cardboard sleeve. Its extremely low dead weight additionally increases energy efficiency. Recently, Greiner Packaging International has also been producing K3® cups from PLA based on renewable raw materials. In particular, for products with a short lifespan, packages from PLA are an alternative with a huge potential. The entire K3® technology has its roots in our Swiss location in Diepoldsau, where it is continually being further developed.
Infrastructure
While Greiner Packaging International is expanding and improving its infrastructure, issues around sustainability are always being considered, as they were during previous decades. Recently, the key investment focus is on waste heat, photovoltaics and the optimization of cooling systems. Waste heat generated from the production process is being used to heat our own buildings. At Greiner Packaging Switzerland, a 2,000-square-meter photovoltaic plant produces 200,000 kWh of electric power on average, half of which is being fed into the public grid. At the Northern Ireland facility in Dungannon, Greiner Packaging International is even going one step further: excess heat is being used to completely heat a neighboring school. For this energy-saving project, the enterprise was awarded a prize by the Ministry of Economics. The reuse of waste heat conserves energy while significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
