Lindab switches to reusable corrugated packaging, for a better climate
Lindab, a leader in innovative and sustainable ventilation solutions, faced a critical challenge: minimizing the environmental impact of their packaging. With a commitment to sustainability, Lindab sought to reduce the carbon footprint of their corrugated board boxes.
The solution? A shift from single-use to reusable corrugated board boxes.
The international Lindab Group is a leading ventilation company in Europe, offering solutions for energy-efficient ventilation and a healthy indoor climate. Lindab is committed to conducting its business in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. Lindab's sustainability plan includes actions to reduce resource consumption and lower carbon dioxide emissions throughout the value chain.
When it comes to packaging, the goal is clear: to reduce emissions while maintaining efficiency.
To achieve this goal, they reached out to Stora Enso’s team of experts in packaging development and sustainability.
Stora Enso calculated the carbon footprints (CFs) of existing corrugated board boxes used to deliver products to customers, as well as a calculation of the possible impacts of replacing these boxes with reusable alternatives.
The results were clear: the reuse model led to reductions in the climate impacts. For deliveries from Poland to customers in the Czech Republic, Lindab achieved a 72% reduction in the carbon footprint associated with packaging.
Despite an increase in the transport-related emissions caused by return logistics, the decrease in impacts associated with a lower number of boxes needed (accounting for the boxes in the stock needed and their loss rates), was more significant and therefore led to an overall decrease.
However, the impacts from increase return logistics were more pronounced in the case of deliveries from Poland to customers in Sweden, where the overall reduction was 61%, somewhat lower compared to the case of the Czech Republic.
Lindab implemented the new packaging system where a single corrugated box is used ten times.
The box is returned nine times and disposed of by the customer after the tenth use. This is a significant difference compared to the old system, which required ten separate boxes, each of which generated its own environmental footprint.
“In the analysis prepared for us by Stora Enso, we compared two packaging systems for our products: a single-use packaging system, in which each package was used only once and required the use of adhesive tape, and a multiple-use packaging system (resuse), in which our new packages were used ten times. These packages do not require the use of adhesive tape and are made of cardboard with a lower grammage. All boxes are made of 100% recycled materials” - explains Michał Wróblewski, Operations Director at Lindab Sp. z o.o.
He continues: “The results of the analysis were surprising and extremely satisfactory for us. They showed that thanks to the introduction of the reuse system, the carbon footprint of the packages alone was reduced by as much as 12%, which clearly shows how important a well-thought-out, well-executed - at every stage - distribution process is. It can actually reduce the negative impact of the company's activities on the natural environment, without losing the high quality of the services it offers.”
Stora Enso has designed reusable packaging according to Lindab's requirements and needs.
The design change of the fefco 201 has contributed to the reduction of emissions due to the reduction of the packaging weight. “The design process had several phases. Ultimately, we decided to combine two types of standard packaging that proved to be successful. The challenge was to ensure that the packaging could be securely closed without the need for additional materials such as tape. An additional advantage was the ease of opening and folding flat. By implementing this idea in terms of reusable packaging, we meet the requirements imposed by the European Union” – said Robert Jarmoliński, Graphic Constructor, Corrugated Łódź Plant.
Impact of implementing sustainable solutions
This collaboration demonstrates the role of packaging innovation in reducing carbon emissions. Reusable corrugated solutions not only minimize material waste but also support companies in meeting regulatory and customer demands for sustainable practices. Lindab's strategy led to significant climate improvements:
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72% Carbon Footprint Reduction: Achieved for deliveries from Poland to customers in the Czech Republic, thanks to the efficient reuse of boxes.
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61% Reduction in Sweden: Despite longer return distances, significant improvements were made.