Minebea Intec is aligning itself with the sustainability goals of the parent company and intends to focus on reducing CO2-emissions, reducing waste and cutting water consumption. The ambitious targets are to be achieved together with the parent company.
As a provider of weighing and inspection technologies Minebea Intec about the to emphasise the topic of environmental awareness in all areas. The company has therefore adopted the targets for an improved ecological footprint set by the parent company: Thus, with the new fiscal year binding targets with regard to the three specified core topics: Reduction of CO2-emissions, reducing waste and minimising water consumption.
This is where the Group's international setup pays off: With 20 locations worldwide and thanks to its extensive network of over 220 partners, the company offers short delivery routes, which in turn helps to avoid emissions. The high quality and The service life of the manufactured products ensures that the product cycle is longer and thus reduce the burden on the environment. The service life of products can be further extended thanks to the long-term spare parts service, while the take-back system ensures that parts are disposed of properly. In order to support MinebeaMitsumi's campaigns beyond these characteristics, the company has set itself fixed action targets that support the achievement of an improved ecological footprint. The three in particular Production sites in Hamburg, Bovenden and Aachen played a leading role here.
At the Aachen site, the filling material for the replacement part packaging was from conventional plastic chips to completely recyclable material (EPS chips from the company FloPak). Waste is used as a raw material here, which relieves the pressure on natural raw material deposits. In addition to these ecological advantages, the company also benefits from a financial savings of approx. 15-20 per cent. The project, a collaboration between the Aachen-based logistics service provider Green Line Logistik & Handelsgesellschaft mbH and the Logistics Handling & Processing division, was launched in July 2021 and has now been finalised following a successful test phase. In Aachen, alternative overseas packaging with cardboard pallets instead of wooden crates for shipping is also being tested, which can further reduce the carbon footprint and is more cost-efficient.
The Hamburg site is constantly working to reduce packaging waste. Two years ago, a cross-departmental „Zero Waste“ initiative was launched. This involved all product packaging to determine whether the plastics used are really necessary or whether there is a more environmentally friendly and sustainable solution. is available. In addition to replacing materials, it was also examined whether packaging material could be completely eliminated. With Canister Load Cells, for example, the plastic bag for the load cell and the plastic bag for the cable ends could be dispensed with. In addition, the Cardboard material has become thinner and the previously used stuffing material „Paperplus Knüll“ was replaced with moulded fibre: these are moulded fibre parts that are made from natural fibres and can be recycled. This plastic-free approach will now also be pursued at the Bovenden production site in the next step.
The parent company MinebeaMitsumi has also committed itself to the topic of „environmental protection“. One of the declared goals is for 90 per cent of all products to be certified as a „Green Product“ by 2029. The award means that not only packaging makes a good contribution to environmental protection, but that the products are also energy and material efficient, low in pollutants and have a long service life. All of Minebea Intec's product groups (bench and floor scales, checkweighers, metal detectors, container and silo scales) were recently awarded the MinebeaMitsumi Green Products„ seal of approval“ certified. This certificate is subject to the Group's own standards, compliance with which is monitored at regular intervals.
In support of this, Minebea Intec participates in other MinebeaMitsumi campaigns that promote the topic of environmental protection: For example, Minebea Intec is a participant in „Reducing Impacts on the Environment“ (ISO 14001), „Preventing Global Warming“ (improving CO2 emissions) and „Effective Use of Resources” (less waste). These goals make it clear that measures such as saving printer paper are no longer enough: Companies need to pursue larger goals, such as C02 neutrality. As a first step, MinebeaMitsumi plans to 30 per cent of its CO2 emissions. Achieving such goals will require great efforts from all areas - but these are essential in view of the current situation.
Source: Minebea Intec
