Sustainable by Design: DENSO Aftermarket launches eco-friendly packaging
“In addition to being a major original equipment (OE) component manufacturer, DENSO is also a leader in the pursuit of environmental sustainability,” explains DENSO Europe, Pan EU Strategic Marketing Manager, Fatiha Laauich, “which is why DENSO Aftermarket has been following in its footsteps and reducing our own environmental impact.
“As a global company, DENSO has already achieved many wide ranging environmental improvements, and this ambition to make a positive impact on the planet is also embraced by the Aftermarket Division, which is looking at all areas where changes can be introduced. We made a commitment to fundamentally change our product packaging, and the way in which we communicate with the end users that fit the products we supply, so began a packaging improvement project in March 2022.
“The first visible signs of the work undertaken by the team responsible for delivering the changes came with the removal of the 54-page, A4 instruction manual previously supplied with every replacement air conditioning compressor, with an A5 leaflet featuring a QR Code that links to a digital manual. This step alone reduced our paper consumption by more than 30 tonnes per year.
“Phase two was to redesign the internal packaging, while still ensuring the protection of the product inside during its storge, distribution and handling. This was a journey that took us from using polyurethane foam-in-place bags, which although effective, were problematic to dispose of and very difficult to recycle, to using 100% recycled paper wrap, which is completely recyclable. This delivered an annual saving of 51 tonnes of plastic and foam, considerable reductions in CO2 emissions, and is easy to dispose of and recycle.
“The final phase of the improvements, was to redesign the outer packaging and as well as the environmental benefits this has delivered, which include making it more easily recycled and saving 258 kg of paint every year over the previous gloss blue painted boxes, has also allowed us to align and unify the branding and utilise a common box design that takes less time to repack and makes them more efficient to stack on pallets for easier distribution, so benefiting the overall logistics process.
“The new packaging design, which is already in use for our thermal management products, also encompasses a revised labelling system with a new layout, which simplifies the handing and distribution procedure and includes a QR Code that allows access to installation instructions, technical details and warranty information. In addition, with clear and well recognised recycling logos printed on the labels, end users can recycle the packaging easily and by scanning a second QR Code, can also find out more information about DENSO’s green initiative. The remainder of our product portfolio will move to this new packaging before the end of the year.
“In summary, this complete packaging improvement project demonstrates our commitment to become the most eco-friendly organisation possible and sits alongside the broader sustainability objectives I mentioned earlier all of which will lead to a lighter carbon footprint and the subsequent benefits that brings to the world that we live in.”
Further details of the DENSO Aftermarket programme are available online at: www.denso-am.eu