PÖPPELMANN blue® focuses on circular economy

LOHNE, Germany: In the construction industry, the principle of a closed-loop material cycle means to use elements of recovered or recycled building materials. In the plastic industry, Poppelmann is tackling their version of a closed material cycle.

It is part of the company-wide PÖPPELMANN blue® initiative. In practice, all activities in its plastic processing are carried out by its four divisions Pöppelmann TEKU®, Pöppelmann K-TECH®, Pöppelmann KAPSTO® and Pöppelmann FAMAC®.

Recycling experts from all business divisions are currently working on solutions for the resource-saving production of various Pöppelmann products, such as horticulture products, high-precision technical components, protective elements or packaging. With this initiative, the plastics specialist faces up to its responsibility and promotes responsible use of the valuable raw material, which is indispensable for many applications. The various solutions by the Pöppelmann Group have already received several awards and certifications.
Solutions such as the new 4-level classification, in this feature’s illustration, make the different categories transparent in terms of the origin of the material used and its recyclability.

1st level: ‘Circular360.’
With plant pots in the ‘Circular360’ category, Pöppelmann TEKU® has fully closed the material cycle from production to use and disposal right through to recycling. These pots are 100 per cent recyclable, and the post-consumer recycling plastic (PCR) used originates 100 per cent from household collections of recyclable materials. It is re-introduced into the cycle and can be recycled to produce PCR material for products of the same value-added chain. The RAL quality mark testifies this condition, the ‘Blauer Engel’ (Blue Angel) and the certificate by the cyclos-HTP Institute awarded to products developed as part of PÖPPELMANN blue®, which are printable and supplied in the colour ‘Circular blue’. The most popular series of the Pöppelmann TEKU® plant pot range: VCG, VCH and VCK, are available in the ‘Circular360’ level and the colour Circular blue; more series on request.

2nd level: ‘PCR Recyclable.’
Even the plant pots in the second level ‘PCR Recyclable’ are 100 per cent recyclable and certified by the cyclos-HTP Institute. Their plastic content consists of 100 % PCR plastic. This PCR plastic originates both from household plastic waste and from other suitable disposed plastic products, such as garden furniture. The printable plant pots in popular sizes are available in the colours ‘PCR Recyclable taupe/grey’ and ‘PCR Recyclable terracotta/grey’.

3rd level: ‘Recyclable.’
The third level comprises plant pots in the ‘Recyclable’ category, which consist of PCR, post-industrial recycling material (PIR) and virgin material. They are also 100 per cent recyclable and certified by the cyclos-HTP Institute. They can be recycled and can thus initiate a closed material cycle. These printable pots are available in a wide range of colours.

4th level: ‘Black.’
The plant pots in the fourth level ‘Black’ comprise products from the Pöppelmann TEKU® range, which fabricates from PIR material and virgin material. Pots in this category are not recyclable.