Modern production with a focus on regionality and sustainability - this is what the range of fertilisers from gpi green partners international stands for. The company found the right resource-saving packaging in universal packaging made from more than 90 per cent recycled material in the plastic content from Pöppelmann FAMAC.
When hobby gardeners and semi-professionals design their gardens, gpi green partners international GmbH & Co. KG. The medium-sized company from Gladbeck in North Rhine-Westphalia produces organic, mineral and organic-mineral fertilisers. Garden fertiliser for all crops. With the own brands Gardener's, QUADRO and EXTRA% it offers an extensive range of products for a wide variety of needs. In addition, gpi also produces for private labels.
Together with retailers, gpi develops Overall concepts - from the product to the packaging to the presentation in the respective retail format. Fertiliser production takes place on modern equipment with large capacities at the Beckeln plant, using regional raw materials wherever possible. The company assembles, packs and picks at its Gladbeck site. The fertiliser manufacturer attaches great importance to packaging that is practical to use, e.g. with reclosable closures that are produced in an environmentally friendly way, can be refilled in a consumer-friendly manner and are recyclable wherever possible.
On request, these can also be Recyclates manufactured. „With our complete service from the product idea to the PoS, we stand for high-quality and sustainable products of consistently high quality ‚Made in Germany’,“ explains Roland Gehrmann, Managing Director Purchasing and Sales at gpi.
Focus on regionality and sustainability
The product portfolio covers the full range in the fertiliser segment, from conventional fertilisers and specialities to a wide range of organic products. In production, gpi's focus is on Sustainability, ecology and proximity to the various partners. The regional origin of as many raw materials as possible, the sensible utilisation of residual products and a sustainable circular economy are always at the forefront.
For example, gpi selects the materials it uses with sustainability in mind. Many of the raw materials used fulfil the requirements for certified organic cultivation in accordance with EC Organic Regulation 834/2007. for the sustainable products in the range the fertiliser producer was looking for suitable packaging. He found what he was looking for at Pöppelmann FAMAC.
The division of the Pöppelmann Group from Lohne specialises in plastic packaging and functional parts for a wide range of industries. The development of resource-saving plastic products at the centre of research and development. „We have been working closely with Pöppelmann FAMAC since 2012 and have been made aware of the newly developed universal packaging made from more than 90 per cent recycled plastic,“ explains Roland Gehrmann.
PÖPPELMANN blue initiative
The development of universal packaging came about as part of PÖPPELMANN blue, a company-wide initiative of the Pöppelmann Group. This brings together all of the company's activities that are committed to a closed material cycle and are intended to shape the transition from a linear to a circular economy.
As a plastics specialist, Pöppelmann is aware of its responsibility, as Marco von Döllen, Sales Manager Packaging at Pöppelmann FAMAC, explains: „As part of the initiative, all four of our Group's business divisions are developing forward-looking concepts for the resource-conserving use of the materials we use. FAMAC is making an important contribution with its fully recyclable universal packaging. Because This is how we close the material cycle, conserve fossil resources and ensure that the proportion of plastic reused from packaging waste increases.“
Universal packaging made from post-consumer material
The plastic content of the universal packaging, polypropylene in the colour Recycling Blue, consists of post-consumer recycled granulate. The material is obtained from packaging waste from the dual systems. The resource-conserving packaging, which can be for non-food products in various sizes and formats, e.g. as a cup, bucket or bowl.
After use, the universal packaging completely recyclable againr. They are returned to the Dual System cycle for recycling via the Yellow Bin or Yellow Bag collections. The recovered recyclate can then be used to produce new packaging.
The universal packaging from Pöppelmann FAMAC can be used with the RAL quality mark of RAL-Gütegemeinschaft Rezyklate aus haushaltsnahen Wertstoffsammlungen e. V. (RAL Quality Association for Recyclates from Household Recycling Collections). The seal verifiably guarantees that the corresponding product is made from recyclates obtained from packaging disposed of in the Yellow Bag or Yellow Bin.
Recycling buckets pack fertiliser
gpi decided to switch to recycled buckets for packaging both its own fertiliser brands and private labels. The company started with a 1.1-kilogram round bucket and a square 5.5-kilogram bucket. Both guarantee a minimum 90 per cent share of post-consumer recyclates in the plastic content from DSD collections.
„Recycled buckets complement our comprehensive sustainability strategy very well, as the topic of resource conservation plays an important role in all of our processes. Until now, we have lacked the right recycled packaging medium for our organic and organic-mineral fertilisers made from regional recyclable materials, produced using sustainable production methods,“ explains Hans-Dieter Weschke, Commercial Managing Director at gpi.
Successful practical test
In order to win the contract from gpi, the universal packaging made of recycled material from Pöppelmann FAMAC first had to prove its quality and performance, explains Marco von Döllen: „The customer was looking for a High processing quality of the packaging very important. They were tested for good flow properties in the machines and problem-free labelling during production. They also had to have excellent stackability.“
Here, the fertiliser manufacturer benefited from the comprehensive Pöppelmann FAMAC service, as Stephan Dalhaus, Packaging Purchasing at gpi, emphasises: „We were in close communication with the FAMAC office staff, who responded very flexibly to our wishes and were characterised by fast data transmission, among other things. Overall, we felt that we were in good hands as a customer with Pöppelmann FAMAC.“
The universal packaging made from post-consumer recyclates passed gpi's performance test and went through the production process without any problems, meaning that the buckets and lids emerged from the process without any deformation, among other things, and therefore proved to be a very precise fit.
„This not only enables us to offer more resource-efficient packaging. Retailers and end customers also benefit from improved logistical properties, because, compared to conventional stand-up pouch packaging, the buckets can be stacked very easily,“ adds Hans-Dieter Weschke.
Profitable decision
Thanks to the success of the project, those responsible at gpi are examining the possibility of convincing various of their brand customers to use the resource-saving buckets for the sustainable fertilisers and thus gradually expanding their use. Other packaging sizes from Pöppelmann FAMAC could also complement the programme. Roland Gehrmann concludes: „The universal packaging fits in perfectly with our sustainability strategy and creates real added value. We have noticed that the recycling claim on the buckets has a positive effect - both for our customers and for ourselves.“
[infotext icon]Pöppelmann GmbH & Co. KG, based in Lohne, Lower Saxony, is one of the leading manufacturers in the plastics processing industry. With more than 2,500 employees worldwide, the company produces standard and customised plastic products at five locations. In 2019, the plastics professional received the German Packaging Award in the category for its universal packaging made from post-consumer material Sustainability. [/infotext]
