Jokey, Henkel and Akpol are cooperating to promote the circular economy in Poland
The Jokey Group has launched a cooperation in Poland together with Henkel Adhesives Technologies and Akpol, a Polish plastic recycling specialist.
The collaboration aims to advance the circular economy in both the plastics industry and the construction sector, and to further solidify sustainability along the entire value chain. The three companies have already been active in a pilot project with fully recyclable packaging since 2021. The project is exploring the possibilities of closed loops, in which raw materials are kept in strictly closed cycles. To make this happen, Henkel, as the brand owner, Jokey, as a specialist in sustainable packaging solutions, and Akpol, as an expert in plastic recycling, are working together in close coordination: Henkel is filling building products for the Polish market into recycled buckets from Jokey, for which Akpol is supplying the raw materials recovered through recycling. These come from a customised collection system. Used Jokey buckets are collected from construction sites and delivered to Akpol for recycling. The company uses mechanical recycling to recover high-quality post-consumer recyclate and delivers it back to Jokey for the production of new recyclate buckets. After the test phase, the project will be analysed and, if successful, the closed loop will be expanded.
“This project is significant for us in several ways,” emphasises Lukas Heller, Key Account Manager at Jokey, “because we launched the first buckets made from post-consumer recyclates back in 1991 – for our customer Henkel! At the time, these were considered ‘dull eco-buckets’. Today, however, they are seen as a clear statement in favour of the circular economy. This is precisely the aim of our successful ‘Grey is the new Green’ campaign. We are therefore delighted that our renewed collaboration has closed the circle in two ways: firstly, with regard to our early shared sustainability ambitions, and secondly, with regard to the plastic cycles.”
Henkel also sees its sustainable packaging solutions as an important pillar in the company’s sustainability commitment: “Henkel is deeply committed to advancing the circular economy across industries, including in our construction business,” affirms Adrian Orbea, Corporate Director Global Marketing, Digitalisation and Sustainability for the Construction business at Henkel. “We are investing and collaborating to develop energy-efficient solutions and sustainable building materials, focusing on the three key areas of CO2 reduction, safe housing and circularity. As part of our commitment to this last pillar, we are now launching new sustainable packaging that is fully recyclable and maximises the amount of recycled content in the packaging.”
And Rafal Topolski, Sales Manager for Regranulate at Akpol, is pleased to be able to participate in this project together with Henkel and Jokey: “We recycle the used buckets we receive and produce pure post-consumer recyclates made of polypropylene for the production of new recyclate buckets. This way, all three of us can help close the loop.”
The circular economy is an important lever for achieving the Paris climate targets
Jokey has long been committed to the further development of the circular economy – in Germany, Europe and worldwide. The Jokey Eco Concept contains the complete sustainability programme and provides a clear orientation for continuously adapting Jokey products to the requirements of a circular economy, reducing the CO2 footprint and achieving the 1.5 degree target of the Paris climate agreement. This also includes repeatedly exploring new possibilities for completely closing plastic loops in various pilot projects together with selected partners. In addition to established collection systems, customised disposal concepts also play a role here. After all, the more homogeneous the sorted materials from the collection systems are, the more targeted their subsequent introduction into the recycling loop can be.
About Jokey
The Jokey Group is a company in the plastics processing industry. For 50 years, the Jokey name has stood for a high level of expertise in plastic injection moulding and customer-oriented service. Jokey manufactures environmentally friendly packaging and offers industry-specific packaging solutions for food and non-food bottlers. With 2,200 employees, the group produces in 15 plants in 12 countries and supplies customers in around 80 countries. The company’s expertise in plastics is rounded off by its own toolmaking company, a division for technical plastic parts and a division for bathroom furniture. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Wipperfürth, Germany, the company is managed by the second and third generations of the Kemmerich family. The Jokey Eco Concept is based on extensive research, development and experience. In the packaging sector, it has long met the high standards of recyclability, functionality and sustainable design.
About Henkel
Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading market positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses through strong brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the world leader in the adhesives market – across all industry segments. In the Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds a leading position in many markets and categories worldwide. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2020, Henkel reported sales of more than 19 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 2.6 billion euros. Henkel employs around 53,000 people globally – a dedicated and diverse team, united by a strong company culture and shared values. Henkel’s leading role in sustainability is confirmed by many international indices and rankings. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index (DAX). For further information, please visit www.henkel.de
Über Akpol
Founded in 2005, Akpol is a specialist in plastic recycling and a pioneer in the production of high-quality PP, HDPE and LDPE regranulates. Akpol was the first company in Poland to introduce automatic separation in the plastic waste recycling process and also uses a technology to reduce odour and volatile substances in its products. Akpol successfully fulfils its mission of returning plastic waste to the recycling cycle after use. This consists of taking responsibility for the environment and promoting ecological solutions across industries. These achievements have been recognised with the EuCertPlast certificate. Today, Akpol employs around 300 people and recycles more than 60,000 tonnes of post-consumer plastic waste annually. More information is available at www.akpolrecykling.pl/de.
