Ecological sustainability
High energy efficiency and climate-neutral energy sources
Both the use and handling of our energy resources are important issues for WKT. As early as 2014, we therefore introduced an energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001, which ensures the continuous optimisation of our energy efficiency and the associated sustainable reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, we have already implemented a large number of improvement measures in our production and administrative processes.
For example, the heat energy released from the extruders in our production is now "conserved" by a special water circuit and used to heat our low-temperature heating system in a resource-saving way. With its enormous efficiency, this provides heat for administration and production.
Furthermore, since the beginning of 2020, we have been using "green electricity", electrical energy from climate-neutral energy sources. In addition, we are continuously converting our vehicle fleet to electric mobility, so that WKT's total greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to a minimum.
Our trained energy scouts regularly uncover further optimisation potential and ensure the implementation of the necessary measures. The long-term goal is to develop a climate-neutral production company.
Resource cycles as the key to environmental sustainability
The most important approach to achieving ecologically sustainable value creation lies in closing cycles. Only then can resources be used again and again, thus increasing energy and resource efficiency. The diagram shows how WKT, its entire industry, other plastics processors and raw material manufacturers promote the closing of resource cycles. Recyclable packaging materials are used, plastics are reprocessed and regranulated before and after the use phase. In addition, plastic pipes have a useful life of up to 100 years after their manufacture, which further increases the value of closed resource cycles.
Recycling and environmentally friendly waste disposal
In the production of pipes, innovative processes help us keep reject rates extremely low. We regrind 100% of the plastic parts that nevertheless do not end up in the application. Without compromising on quality, the regranulate created in the process from in-house materials can be used directly again for pipe production. This recycling process can be repeated many times. This avoids raw material extraction from nature, additional energy input for raw material production and waste generation of unused resources. Against the background of the particularly long useful life of plastic pipes, this is associated with a major, positive impact on resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Even after use, our pipe materials are fully recyclable and can be put to sensible reuse. In doing so, we rely on the closed-loop system of our industry presented above.
In addition to recycling plastic products, we are also intensively involved in the disposal and recycling of other waste. We have developed an effective concept for waste sorting that applies to both the production and administrative areas. In accordance with the strict guidelines of the Commercial Waste Ordinance, which determines how waste is to be separated and recycled, we thus achieve a very high overall separation rate.
We aim to continuously intensify and improve our efforts to separate and recycle waste. However, general waste avoidance, including the reduction of waste and surpluses, is our top priority.
PZERT proof of separation collection rate
Development of sustainable raw materials and areas of application
Our long-term goal is to be a close partner and initial user in the development of sustainable materials. WKT regularly looks at new raw, auxiliary and operating materials that are obtained from renewable resources and will complement our standard product components in the long term. Moreover, in cooperation with our raw material manufacturers, suppliers and customers, we are always looking for innovative, sustainable areas of application for plastic pipes. We want to actively identify and shape market trends. For example, we also support the increasing transport and use of hydrogen with our application-oriented product solutions.
Reduction and optimization of packaging materials
An important approach to waste prevention is the reduction and optimization of packaging materials. Accordingly, WKT has already developed several sustainable packaging systems in recent years, as part of which the use of packaging has been significantly reduced. Among others, we now rely on a transport system with reusable exchangeable containers and, where still necessary, protect our finished products with "bio-film" produced in a climate-neutral process from renewable raw materials.