Schur Flexibles: Careful use of resources

With its sustainability campaign, the Schur Flexibles Group now wants to make an even greater commitment to the careful use of resources.

With the 5R programme the company has presented a sustainability strategy based on the five pillars Recycling, Replace, Reduction, Renewal and Responsibility based. It is intended to set the guidelines for the Group's entrepreneurial activities, which include its Product FlexiClose(re) won the German Packaging Award 2018 in the "Sustainability" category.

At Schur Flexibles, sustainability is a clear management objective for which the Group provides the necessary resources and sets clear targets: By 2025, it aims to have 100 % recyclable products. offer. The company is already one of the leaders in the field of material-saving applicationsat the same time, the portfolio contains a whole range of innovative recyclable products. 

"We have set ourselves an ambitious short-term milestone for 2020: By then, we want to have at least one recyclable solution on offer in every segment. At the same time  project plan that ensures compliance with our own targets and objectives for 2025," says Dr Martin Berlekamp, Head of Sustainability.

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Improved product protection and optimised recycling

Achieving sustainability in the area of flexible film packaging However, this is a particular challenge. One key aspect is the Recycling as an integral part of a circular economy. This is because packaging films with their various barrier functions to protect the contents usually consist of a mix of different polymers, which are not always recyclable. This is why Martin Berlekamp sees a decisive approach in the Reduction in the use of plastic and thus the CO₂-emissions through the use of extremely thin materials. 

"Only around three to ten per cent of CO₂-of the carbon footprint of packaged food is attributable to packaging. Nevertheless, we need to take care of precisely this small percentage. Offering more sustainable solutions here is the easiest way to reduce the carbon footprint."

In order to further strengthen its commitment to greater sustainability, the packaging specialist is not only a member of the CEFLEX initiatives and Save Foodbut also in other European organisations such as UK Plastics Pact and Ainia.

"With suitable recyclable packaging solutions, our industry can help to reduce food spoilage and thus have an even greater overall impact on improving CO₂-footprint than simply by reducing the use of plastics," emphasises Martin Berlekamp.

In order to further optimise the sustainability of its packaging solutions from this perspective as well, Schur Flexibles is an important partner. Partnership with Nippon Gohsei entered into. The Mitsubishi Chemicals Group company specialises in EVOH and PVOH barriers which protects packaged food with an effective barrier against oxygen and undesirable flavours. In cooperation with Nippon Gohsei - also a CEFLEX member Customised barrier solutions and integrated into Schur Flexibles' films.

More sustainability as a clear competitive advantage  

Schur Flexibles is proud of its proactive and broad-based sustainability offensive, which the Group also expects to be a success. Competitive advantages and growth promises.

"We positioned ourselves in this market environment early on with our sustainable and recyclable solutions and are proud to be among the pioneers in this field. Since I joined the company, we have acquired two larger and one smaller company. Our ambitious goal is to be one of the top five players in the industry in Europe. To achieve this, we want to gain market share by introducing new, innovative products," says Martin Berlekamp.

Source: Schur Flexibles Group