Environment

Everything is connected to everything and we see the links in-between.

The awareness of closing gaps

Closed material cycles are the key to climate neutrality. We do our best to recycle as much recovered paper as possible.

We always use recycled fibre wherever possible, playing our part in protecting our forests. If we cannot avoid the use of virgin fibre, we purchase it from FSC-certified sources. Illegal logging does not occur at any point in our supply chain, and damaging chemicals are not used at any stage.

In terms of logistics, we avoid journeys with empty lorries. We use water in a circular fashion and our paper factories have their own wastewater treatment plants. We collect used packaging from our customers, recycle it and turn it into new packaging.

At a glance

83 %

recycled fibre were used in our products in 2020.

600 000

litres of diesel were saved in 2020 through an incentive program.

11,3 %

less fresh water has been consumed since 2017.

8 763

tonnes of CO₂ have been saved since 2017

1. Our ambition

As little packaging as possible

But as much as necessary. Unlike other materials such as plastic, our board and corrugated card mean that goods can be wrapped in eco-friendly packaging. There is no doubt that the manufacture of cardboard is a high-energy and water-intensive process.

We handle resources carefully and efficiently – and not just in terms of energy, the climate, waste, and water. We investigate issues such as deforestation, soil erosion, and illegal logging when procuring raw materials.

«By 2030, we will have reduced our resource consumption per tonne of paper, corrugated board, and cardboard produced by 10 percent.»

2. Our actions

Highest efficiency

The multi-motor drives of the paper machines PM1 and PM2 in Weinfelden (CH) were completely renewed with new motors and gearboxes. Motors of energy efficiency classes IE4 and very low-loss gearboxes were used to achieve maximum energy savings. Thanks to maximum efficiency, 350 MWh/a can be saved at PM1 and 900 MWh/a at PM2. This corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of 250 households.

New vehicle fleet and a premium system

Model Logistics in Germany renewed its vehicle fleet from 2019-2021.

In 2019, 63 vehicles were replaced, in 2020 45 vehicles, and in 2021 the last 10 vehicles were replaced with more efficient Scania and MAN models.

In July 2019, the Roadlox software was also introduced with which the driving behavior of drivers is evaluated. At the same time, a bonus system based on this assessment was introduced.

These two measures reduced average fuel consumption from 24.07 l/100km to 22.93 l/100km. With around 12.5 million annual kilometers driven, this is a saving of around 142 500 l of diesel.

Heat recuperation

In 2021, Model Obaly in Hostinné realized another stage of using the waste heat from three compressors. We use compressors for the central distribution of air to our production machines. During the air generation, waste heat of about 70°C is generated.

Currently, the heating of the plant is ensured by a distribution system, which was created by interconnecting the original and the new distribution system. Thus, we are able to use the waste heat throughout the plant. In addition, we have shut down the heat supply from the supplier and can renew it at any time if necessary. This investment is also pleasing in economic terms, as the investment amounted to only CHF 25 000.

The 100% recovery of waste heat brought us savings in heat supply costs of CHF 27 000 in the first four months of 2022. We expect the total annual savings to be 400 MWh or CHF 45 000.

Shortened transport routes

In November 2021, a corrugator was launched in Nowa Sól. The realization of a project of this dimension is a great challenge, but we are proud to say that it was completed successfully on schedule. The result is a modern and high-performance machine that guarantees high-quality of produced corrugated sheets.
Thanks to the new corrugator, we no longer need to transport approximately five million m2 of sheets per month from Czosnów to Nowa Sól. Thereby, we save time, transport costs and reduce CO₂ emissions. The installation paves the way for Model's further growth in Poland.

We prefer used goods

Our products are resource-intensive, by their very nature. That is why recycling and energy-efficient manufacturing are at the top of our agenda, from both an environmental and economic perspective.

We analyse, anticipate and reduce the negative effects on the environment as soon as we start the development of a product. We optimise our logistics on an ongoing basis, whether with route planning and innovations or by using return trips to bring back waste paper and cardboard.

We purify wastewater, use recycled fibre where possible and buy only certified virgin fibre, where we need it.

We do not apologise for our sources

We use paper fibre up to seven times until it cannot be recycled anymore. If white cardboard coating is required, we make sure we use virgin fibre from sustainable sources. We offer packaging made from FSC-certified materials across all our plants, ensuring that our suppliers meet the most stringent management criteria for eco-friendly forest use.

Offsetting is a load of rubbish...

...if you do it only to assuage a guilty conscience. However, we offer packaging that is carbon-neutral thanks to emissions offsetting. Some CO₂ emissions can be avoided only at exorbitant cost, if at all, and our customers can offset them by funding projects to protect the climate. In collaboration with the climate protection consultancy Climate Partner, we have developed a CO₂ calculator that creates transparency from one end of the value chain to the other.

3. Our goals

What we want to achieve

By 2030, we will have reduced our resource consumption per tonne of paper, corrugated card, and cardboard produced by 10%.

To reach these goals, we will optimize our fibre recovery process, improve our logistics and introduce new technology along the value chain.

GRI information

Documenting GRI indicators

This report complies with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and aligns the key aspects of the GRI with the four pillars of the Model Group’s sustainability strategy.

GRI 301-2