The collection of consumer plastic waste in Finland started in 2016, when Fortum’s plastic refinery in Riihimäki was also established. Since then, the plastic waste from consumers has been converted into recycled plastic grades that suit different purposes. Orthex was one of Fortum’s first recycled plastic customers. The collaboration between the two companies has been ongoing ever since in the form of joint development projects and new applications.
Collaboration is the foundation for sustainable solutions
The use of recycled materials and sustainable production have always been important values to Orthex. Currently the requirement for all new products is that the material is either recycled or bio-based. Fortum Circo has been a familiar raw material for Orthex over the years, and they have used it in the production of flowerpots and buckets. Now, together with Fortum, the aim was to create a compound that would be suitable for raw material in recycling bins.
The Fortum Circo PP-T recycled plastic grade was modified to suit this need by adding talcum to the basic grade (i.e. polypropene). Compared to the basic grade, the advantage of the talc compound is a stiffer end product, which withstands more weight. The shape of the material also fluctuates less, which means that the products are easily stackable and dismountable. In addition, the colourability of the talcum compound remains good and makes it possible to use muted colours. As a result of the product development, the SmartStoreTM Collect product line grew with stylish black sorting bins.
“We have collaborated with Fortum for a long time now, which is a sign of our great partnership. It is very important to us that the materials we use are as environmentally friendly as possible, and Fortum Circo has suited that need for years. It is especially wonderful that together with Fortum we have been able to develop the material to our specific needs,” says Tom Ståhlberg, Orthex’s Operations Director, Lohja.
Smaller carbon footprint is important to businesses and consumers alike
One of Fortum Circo’s most important qualities is its low carbon footprint: the footprint for Fortum Circo PP-T grades is over 65% smaller compared to virgin polypropene. Changing virgin plastic to Fortum Circo is an excellent way for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and promote the circulation of materials.
“We are proud to have clients such as Orthex that truly care about sustainability. It is also great to see how the modification of the material allows us to better answer the needs and wants of even our longest-standing clients. At the same time, consumers will also gain access to a wider variety of products with a small carbon footprint,” says Anniina Rasmus, Brand Sales Manager, Fortum Recycling & Waste.
Orthex (ORTHEX, Nasdaq Helsinki, Finland) is a leading Nordic houseware company. Orthex offers a broad assortment of practical and durable household products with a mission to make consumers’ everyday life easier. Orthex main consumer brands are SmartStore™ in storage products, GastroMax™ in kitchenware and Orthex™ in home and plant care categories. Orthex aims to be the industry forerunner in sustainability and to become carbon neutral in its production by 2030. Read more about SmartStore Collect™ – sort and store in style (orthexgroup.com).