Uzin Utz and Jokey Group conserve resources – Joint promotion of the circular economy through sustainable packaging
The Uzin Utz Group, a global full-service provider of flooring systems, is working closely with the Jokey Group, one of the leading manufacturers of plastic packaging, to strengthen the circular economy by contributing to sustainable packaging. Jokey has been supplying the company, which is based in the Danube Valley, for over 20 years. During this time, the proportion of recycled plastics in the delivered packaging has increased to almost 100%.
Jokey and Uzin Utz have both been pursuing a step-by-step sustainability policy for more than three decades. While Jokey launched the first recyclate bucket for non-food in 1991, Uzin Utz introduced the first generation of environmentally friendly adhesives as early as 1980. In 1997, the first low-emission adhesives were introduced under the UZIN Eco Line. Finally, in 2020, the company switched entirely to canisters made from 100% recycled material. The containers manufactured by Jokey from 50% PCR and 50% PIR also fall under these efforts. These are post-consumer recyclates (PCR) from household collections and post-industrial recyclates (PIR) from industrial waste. The high-quality containers are robust and dimensionally stable and fully recyclable even after use.
Uzin Utz as a pioneer
Uzin Utz has been using Jokey’s sustainable packaging since 2016. With this composition, 35.11% of CO2 is saved per container compared to new packaging. This figure increased again last year. Since autumn 2021, the 100% PCR variant has been in use for selected Uzin Utz products. Further products will gradually be converted to this packaging variant. The increase in recycled plastics from household collections does not go unnoticed in the carbon footprint: the saving per container compared to new material is now 36.53%. Since the gradual conversion to 100% PCR, a total of approx. 56 tonnes of CO2 have already been saved – and this figure will continue to rise.
Packaging as a sustainable selling point
In today’s world, the issue of climate protection is ubiquitous, which is why Uzin Utz has firmly anchored it in its sustainability strategy. All activities are based on the four pillars Products & Services, People, Planet and Profit. The focus of the Planet pillar is on the careful use of resources and the environment. To achieve this, Uzin Utz relies on the continuous optimisation of processes and the use of market-leading technologies. This also includes intensive engagement with the topic of circular economy. “The use of containers made from almost 100 per cent recycled material is a consistent step for Uzin Utz, especially since consumers increasingly perceive product and packaging as a unit. Both must be designed to be as sustainable as possible. We meet this requirement in such a way,” explains Philipp Utz, member of the Uzin Utz management board. “At the same time, our guidelines for sustainability are designed to be constantly developed and improved. After all, a sustainable company must be open to new ideas and needs visions,” Philipp Utz continues.
Michael Schmitz from Jokey also explicitly welcomes the decision: “We are pleased that more and more of our customers are using recyclate packaging for their non-food products. This enables them to make a responsible contribution to the circular economy while also strengthening their green profile in the public eye. It is important to continue to expand our leading role, including in close cooperation with our customers.”
UZIN UTZ. YOUR FLOOR. OUR PASSION.
With over 1,300 employees and a group turnover of 383.6 million euros (2020), UZIN UTZ, based in Ulm, Germany, is a leading full-service provider for flooring systems, developing and manufacturing products and machines for screed, flooring, tiles and parquet. The construction chemical product systems for substrate preparation, installation of floor coverings and surface finishing, as well as machines and tools for floor and wall processing, are developed and manufactured by the group companies themselves and sold worldwide under the internationally successful brands UZIN, WOLFF, PALLMANN, arturo, codex and Pajarito. For 111 years, we have been making the world of floors our business as a family-owned company, supporting tradespeople, planners, architects and building owners. Further information is available at www.uzin-utz.com
Contact Uzin Utz:
Julia Schrapp
Communications
Fon +49 731 4097-4779
Fax +49 731 4097-45 4729
Julia.Schrapp@uzin-utz.com
