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Transformation of the plastics industry
The industry is currently in the midst of a twin transition – the simultaneous change to a digital and more sustainable economy. New technologies and political and social requirements, such as the transition to a circular economy and the establishment of the bioeconomy, are leading to changes in value creation patterns and sometimes require disruptive and often digital changes.
With the Transformation of the Plastics Industry research group, we are focusing on this holistic change. Our aim here is to help shape the future of plastics production and use in a visionary way. To this end, we are pooling our collective SKZ expertise.
In research projects and services, we support companies in the plastics industry in
- the transformation of their processes towards climate neutrality
- the establishment of circular (digital) business models
- the implementation of energy efficiency measures
- the use of renewable raw materials
Services
in accordance with ISO 14067/64
The carbon footprint determines the sum of all climate-relevant gases emitted by a product (product carbon footprint) over its entire life cycle or by a company (company carbon footprint). It is a starting point for developing an effective climate strategy and climate protection-oriented marketing. Our carbon footprints are calculated according to recognized methods and standards, comprehensively documented and thus provide a sound database for climate-specific product and company assessment.
Large companies are required to report on sustainability in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), on the other hand, can use the Voluntary Small and Medium Enterprise (VSME) Standard as a guide for preparing their sustainability reports. The SKZ supports companies that choose this path, drawing on its accumulated experience: from interpreting the standards and data points, to establishing a structure for efficiently collecting the necessary data within the company or supply chain, to preparing the data for the sustainability report. Those who take the lead here can position their companies for the future.
Politicians are introducing many legislative packages that will affect all companies in the coming years: CSRD reporting requirement, EU taxonomy, Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR), Green Claims, PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive), EU regulation to prevent the release of plastic granulate, and much more. The experts at SKZ will advise your company on what the individual regulations mean for your company and how best to deal with them.
A climate risk analysis assesses the impact of climate change on your company’s business activities and locations. A distinction is made here between physical and transitional risks. The former pertain to the effects that extreme weather events or high temperatures, for example, have on your facilities. Transitional risks highlight how your business model will be affected in a society transitioning to a climate-neutral future, for example, through higher carbon pricing, changing markets, or stricter environmental regulations.
We work with you to identify the risks to your company and conduct a climate risk analysis in accordance with the EU Taxonomy and CSRD guidelines.
Sustainable product claims pay off—provided they are credible and permissible. Valid environmental claims boost demand for eco-friendly materials. However, about half of all claims are inadequately substantiated or misleading—and could soon be banned. To help you confidently leverage the potential of sustainable products, we provide comprehensive support: from evaluating existing claims to developing robust environmental statements and conducting well-founded life cycle assessments. We advise on appropriate certifications and guide you through the entire development process. Your benefit: clarity in a dynamic legal landscape, well-informed decisions, and clear, credible communication—enabling you to build lasting trust with your customers through genuine sustainability.
Energy can be saved in many areas of plastics processing. We help you to leverage the savings potential and thus reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Based on company data and our own performance and flow measurements, we carry out energy consumption analyses and identify optimization points.
SKZ supports you in systematically calculating your corporate carbon footprint in accordance with established standards (e.g., the GHG Protocol). Our experts are familiar with the specifics of the plastics industry and can therefore perform efficient carbon footprint calculations.
Emissions sources across all three scopes are transparently quantified, reduction targets are set based on scientific evidence (suitable for the Science Based Targets Initiative), and robust reduction measures are derived. Thanks to our listed energy efficiency experts, BAFA funding for consulting services is available. The combination of a carbon footprint assessment and a catalog of measures enables the company to steer toward greenhouse gas neutrality and can be used for reporting requirements and external communication.
As experts in the field of plastics technology, we strive to pass on the knowledge we have acquired over decades to our customers. From material development and manufacturing processes to the application of various testing and measuring methods - in our numerous practice-oriented courses, you as a participant will acquire the necessary knowledge in dealing with the material plastic. This begins with the selection of the right materials and compliance with production-oriented design rules, extends to the correct handling of equipment and machines for the production and processing of plastic components and ends with the correct understanding of quality criteria and the associated use of testing and measuring tools.
Bringing together people from different areas of the company and from different industries to exchange experiences and specialist know-how is also a top priority for us, alongside the pure transfer of knowledge. Our numerous specialist events are the ideal place for a free exchange of ideas. Renowned speakers from a wide range of industries and excellent specialist presentations make the SKZ conferences popular meeting places within the plastics industry.
