Self-adhesive materials supplier Herma has saved over 400 tonnes of CO2 emissions equivalent in 2018 by participating a recycling programme for discarded siliconised release liner. The saving is claimed to offset the total emissions of the German company’s 78 vehicle fleet, as well as providing useful raw material for further manufacture.
According to a certification from specialist recycling company Cycle4Green, Herma collected around 200 tonnes of discarded release paper in 2018, which with the former’s help and the participation of Austrian paper manufacturer Lenzig, was used to produce more release liner and label stock. Had the same amount of material been produced from virgin fibre, the related emissions would have been 406 tonnes higher. By comparison, the vehicle fleet was calculated to be responsible for 400 tonnes of CO2-equivalent.
‘By participating in this recycling programme, we not only make an important contribution to preserving the environment. We also somewhat counteract continuing resource shortages. Due to extreme demand in Asia, especially China, and continuing growth in Europe, we are facing continued resource shortages just like last year, for instance regarding paper,’ commented Dr Thomas Baumgärtner, Herma managing director and head of the Self-adhesive Materials Division.
