Oldenzaal, July 9, 2019

Solar panels installed at M-plastics

This week we have installed a solar field covering almost 5000 M2 with which we produce almost 400,000 kWh per year. This energy is used directly in the department where we produce sustainable breeding and transplanting trays. In this way the footprint of these trays is even lower.

At the same time we work on product innovations. For growers who mainly use their trays for internal transport, we offer sustainable solutions by developing alternatives to disposable trays.

These trays are developed and produced in our own injection molding department, and have a lifespan of at least 10 years, and in practice much longer. The saving in plastic waste per switch is huge. The CO2 reduction that our customers achieve in this way is very worthwhile, and in some cases also eligible for subsidy.

The trays come with a circular warranty, we are happy to take them back after the service life to process them into new products. This way no plastic is lost.

We are already investigating material innovations that can ensure more sustainable packaging in the future. This is a long-term road, it will certainly take years before sufficient quality sustainable and / or bio-plastics are available for our applications, but that does not mean that we will have to wait on the sidelines.

For example, together with Oost Nv we are working on an innovative bioplastics project where we expect the first results within 2 years.

Perhaps the best thing is that the above measures and the optimization of business processes have not led to an increase in the cost prices of our range. Rather the opposite, we have started to work more efficiently and more cost-effectively.