EVERY SECOND KILOGRAM WE PROCESS IS MADE OF PLASTIC COMPOSED OF RECYCLATE.
The circular economy is the biggest lever we have to protect the climate. Why? Around 90% of our corporate carbon footprint is attributable to Scope 3 – i.e. emissions that occur before and after our production. If you want to make an effective change here, you have to use recyclates and create products that are as efficient and fully recyclable as possible.
This is why we have committed ourselves in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy Global Commitment to promoting the economic model of the circular economy through the use of recycled plastic waste and the recyclability of manufactured products. We pursue this goal throughout the company as part of our strategic initiative for resource conservation and climate protection PÖPPELMANN blue®.
This initiative has proven itself in practice, as every second kilogram of plastic we process is made from recycled material. We are setting new standards in markets where the circular economy of plastics was initially considered impossible. We are particularly active as a pioneer in strictly regulated sectors such as the automotive industry and can draw on decades of experience with recyclates in horticulture. Our aim is to build on these successes. That is why we work closely with our partners along the entire value creation cycle.
Circular economy at Pöppelmann - the most important answers:
What do we mean by circular economy?
According to the circular economy model, products or their materials are reused or recycled again and again - ideally at the same quality level. The concept aims to decouple economic activities from the consumption of finite resources.
Through circular design and the recycling of used plastics, we aim to extend the life cycle of our material, reduce environmental impact and minimize waste.
In order to achieve these goals, the processing of post-consumer recyclates (PCR) is crucial in our industry. Another success factor is reducing the variety of materials, for example by using packaging made from mono-materials, which makes recycling much easier.
How does the circular economy contribute to climate protection?
The circular economy plays a key role in climate protection. It offers considerable potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions along the entire supply chain - from suppliers and manufacturers to customers and consumers.
In industry, many emissions are generated in the area of indirect emissions, which fall under Scope 3. These include emissions from the purchase of goods and from the disposal and recycling of products.
The more materials and products are recycled, the fewer resources are consumed – and the lower the emissions. Promoting the circular economy is a key lever for reducing Scope 3 emissions and sustainably improving the carbon footprint of all stakeholders along the supply chain.
Why are we involved in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation?
The goal of a circular economy cannot be achieved alone, but only together with all stakeholders. This is why Pöppelmann joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy Global Commitment in 2019.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a non-profit organization that has created a global network for companies, associations and institutions to advance the circular economy since its founding in 2010.
Pöppelmann is one of the seven companies in Germany that have reported to the foundation for 2023; the global figure is 124. We have committed to significantly increasing the average proportion of recycled used plastics in production.
With success: half of our production material already comes from recyclates (including post-industrial recyclates). 83% of the packaging we produce is recyclable (as of 2024), and we cover 43% of our material requirements with post-consumer recyclates (2024).
Why do we focus specifically on post-consumer recyclates?
Recyclate is not just recyclate, In order to understand the background to the circular economy, a distinction must be made between post-industrial recyclate and post-consumer recyclate:
Post-industrial recyclates (PIR) are recycled production waste, for example waste and material from products that have not yet been used as a product.
Post-consumer recyclate (PCR), on the other hand, is obtained by recycling the material of a used product after it has been used and disposed of, for example in the yellow bag.
A true cycle can only be created with recyclates made from post-consumer waste, because only the use of PCR reduces the amount of fossil raw materials that need to be recovered.
Circular
Series products
Since 2018.
Series products
Since 2018.
Since the PÖPPELMANN blue® initiative was launched in 2018, each division has brought at least one product into series production that is made from post-consumer recyclate (PCR) from used packaging (= yellow bag or yellow garbage can).
Every second kilogram of plastic we process is already made from recyclate.
2018
TEKU® plant pot made from 80% recycled post-consumer material, recyclable
CO2 footprint: -25%
(compared with the product from virgin material in the 'Cradle to Pöppelmann Gate' approach)
2018
KAPSTO® protective element made from recycled post-consumer material
CO2 footprint: -42%
(compared with the product from virgin material in the approach 'Cradle to Pöppelmann Gate')
2019
K-TECH® holder sound generator made from recycled post-consumer material
CO2 footprint: -46%
(compared to the product from the requested new product in the 'Craddle to Pöppelmann Gate' approach)
2020
K-TECH® wash cap for use in the production process made of recycled post-industrial material, recyclable
CO2 footprint: -77%
(compared with the product from the requested new product in the 'Craddle to Pöppelmann Gate' approach)
2021
FAMAC® screw cap for the non-food sector made from recycled post-consumer material
CO2 footprint: -49%
(compared with the product from virgin material in the 'Cradle to Pöppelmann Gate' approach)
2022
KAPSTO® gradual conversion of the KAPSTO standard program to protective elements made from recycled used plastic products
CO2 footprint: -49%
(compared with the product from virgin material in the 'Cradle to Pöppelmann Gate' approach)
2023
FAMAC® for material residues in laboratory tests from recycled post-consumer material
CO2 footprint: -62%
(compared with the product from virgin material in the approach 'Cradle to Pöppelmann Gate')
2023
TEKU® reusable plant tray made from recycled post-consumer material, recyclable
CO2 footprint: -26%
(compared to the product from virgin material in the approach 'Cradle to Pöppelmann Gate')
2024
K-TECH® add-on console made from recycled post-consumer material from end-of-life vehicles
CO2 footprint: -71%
(compared with the product from the requested new product in the 'Craddle to Pöppelmann Gate' approach)
INITIATIVES FOR MORE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Sustainability has been a central component of Pöppelmann's corporate philosophy for decades. In 2018, the strategic initiative PÖPPELMANN blue® and the training initiative Zukunftsmobil were launched to raise awareness of the circular economy and pool resources across the company - with great success. Seven years later, Pöppelmann is one of the pioneers of the circular economy and trainees educate schoolchildren about plastics, recycling and sustainability in a well-established workshop concept.
PÖPPELMANN blue®: From the origin to the pioneer of the circular economy.
The story behind PÖPPELMANN blue® is an exciting one: Sustainability expert Benjamin Kampmann explains how Pöppelmann became a pioneer of the circular economy.
Zukunftsmobil: Experience plastics in the loop in a practical way.
Through our training initiative "Zukunftsmobil", students and interested individuals can experience the topic of the circular economy of plastics in a hands-on way through interactive stations (in Germany where our headquarter is located).
MAKING MORE POSSIBLE TOGETHER.
Horticulture
Sustainability through #recycle: Switching from black to recyclable plant pots reduces waste, promotes climate protection and sets a completely new standard in horticulture.
Medical technology
Sustainability through #rethink: innovative redesign of an airway filter from round to square saves 32% of greenhouse gas emissions during transport.
Automotive
Sustainability through #recycle: As pioneers, we offer production-ready vehicle parts made from 100% recycled plastic from end-of-life vehicles, which promote a genuine circular economy in vehicle construction.
Protective solutions
Sustainability through #reduce: Conversion of our standard range to over 2,000 temporary plastic protection solutions made from recycled plastic sets new standards for resource conservation.
Prizes and awards
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FUTURE
We are shaping the world of tomorrow today.
Climate change is a reality - and we are taking action. We are shaping the future with clear climate targets, a circular economy and innovation.
CREATE
Making plastics fit for the future together.
At Pöppelmann, sustainable solutions are created through partnership-based cooperation - climate-friendly and economically viable.
Career
Shaping where the future is made.
Do you want more than just a job? With us, you can help shape things - responsibly, as part of a team and with prospects.