April 11, 2024 / Press Release

Ensinger presents sustainable plastics solutions

Bio-based and reprocessed materials reduce CO2 emissions

Plastics processor Ensinger has committed itself to the goal of a sustainable future. The family business’s net-zero climate goal was recently confirmed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In order to make an additional contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Ensinger has now introduced sustainable plastic solutions consisting of bio-based and reprocessed stock shapes. The company’s business partners are also involved in the measures for reusing plastics.

With the expansion of its stock shapes portfolio, Ensinger is presenting two innovative product lines that enable a significant reduction of the CO2 footprint:

Bio-based plastics

The new bio-based plastics from Ensinger are produced from basic materials generated by the wood-processing industry, along with other organic waste. The manufacturing method for the plastic plates, rods and tubes is similar to conventional production processes, meaning that similar property profiles are guaranteed. Apart from minimal color deviations, the bioplastic products from Ensinger have comparable specifications.

Reprocessed plastics

The other new product line, namely reprocessed plastics, is produced from returned materials and production waste using mechanical treatment processes, thereby giving a second life to fossil fuel-based materials. Although the material properties of these products may deviate slightly from those of conventional materials, this is significantly outweighed by the environment benefits. The reprocessed stock shapes are available in the form of rods, tubes and plates.

Additional sustainability measures

It is not only about innovative material solutions: energy projects, material savings and recycling are making crucial contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ensinger’s sustainability initiative consists of four building blocks.

  1. Prepare for Tomorrow: Under this guiding principle, Ensinger is implementing a variety of environmental projects and energy-saving measures which are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain and get close to the net zero target called for by the Paris Agreement. 

  2. Reduce for Tomorrow: An important step on the path towards sustainability is a reduction of the CO2 footprint at the start of the production chain. Ensinger works closely with its customers in order to offer stock shape blanks in optimum formats or supply customized finished parts and thereby minimize waste. This approach not only reduces consumption of materials but also the greenhouse gas emissions generated through transport.

  3. Recycle for Tomorrow: Recycling makes a key contribution to conserving raw material resources and reducing CO2 emissions. Ensinger has many years of experience with a diverse range of polymer processing methods and is supporting the transition to the circular economy through the systematic recycling of engineering and high-performance plastics. One of Ensinger’s most important product lines is insulating profiles, which consist of 100 % unmixed recycled polyamide.

  4. Reuse for Tomorrow: Repeated use of raw materials is a long-term goal of the sustainability initiative. With the current expansion of its portfolio to include bio-based and reprocessed stock shapes, Ensinger is responding to a growing demand in this sector.

Circular economy instead of linear use

“Many plastics still end up undergoing thermal recovery instead of being recycled. Because we want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, sustainable use of plastics is essential,” emphasizes Nina Finkbeiner, Head of Product Management in the Stock Shapes division. “Here at Ensinger, we feel obliged to find ways of making the ecological footprint of our products as small as possible. Our sustainable solutions are aimed at reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials.”

New product lines

Ensinger’s new biobased stock shapes, produced with mass balanced approach manufactured resins, include TECAFORM AH EF natural (POM-C), along with TECAFORM AD EF natural (POM-H), TECAPEI EF natural (PEI) and TECAST T EF natural (PA6 C). 
The stock shapes product family of reprocessed polymers starts with TECAPEEK RP natural (PEEK) and will be continuously amended in the future. 


Further information

 

Your Contact for Technical Information

Nina Finkbeiner 

Ensinger GmbH
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About Ensinger

The Ensinger Group is engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of compounds, semi-finished materials, composites, technical parts and profiles made of engineering and high-performance plastics. To process the thermoplastic polymers, Ensinger uses a wide range of production techniques, such as extrusion, machining, injection moulding, casting, sintering and pressing. With a total of 2,700 employees at 34 locations, the family-owned enterprise is represented worldwide in all major industrial regions with manufacturing facilities or sales offices.
Prepare, reduce, recycle, reuse – four categories for the sustainable use of plastics. Ensinger supports its customers on this journey with innovative products and solutions.
Ensinger's aim is to promote the sustainable use of plastics.

Your Contact for Editorial Questions

Jörg Franke

Ensinger GmbH
Phone +49 7032 819 202
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