Interclean 2020: Amsterdam Innovation Award
Werner & Mertz Professional is nominated for the Amsterdam Innovation Award
We are delighted to announce that Werner & Mertz Professional has been nominated for the Amsterdam Innovation Award 2020 in the Category “Equipment, Detergents, Washroom”. The jury acknowledged the submitted cleaning concept designed for circular economy with its innovative centerpiece: the worldwide first 100% recyclable refill pouch. The concept will be presented at this year’s RAI Interclean Amsterdam from May 12th to May 15th.
Reduce + reuse + recycle
he monomaterial pouch was developed by Werner & Mertz and the global packaging company Mondi during a four-year project based on Cradle to Cradle® principles. The design objective was to use “reverse engineering,” starting from the end of the product life cycle, and create packaging fit for every stage of the recycling process. With the involvement of all stakeholders along the entire supply chain, it was possible to design packaging perfectly suited to recycling and the circular economy. The development of the stand-up pouch even influenced the design of sorting facilities. Because the pieces of plastic sheeting smaller than an 8.5 by 11-inch paper could not be handled by sorting and recycling equipment, the material was thermally recycled, i.e., incinerated. “Plastic sheeting makes up about 40 percent of the waste in the Yellow Bag and represents enormous but untapped potential! In the sense of “Design for Recycling” it was important to us to develop a stand-up pouch that was not just theoretically recyclable. It also had to ensure practical implementation of the recycling process,” said Immo Sander, head of packaging development at Werner & Mertz. During the years of development work, designers consulted with manufacturers of sorting systems in order to guarantee separate sorting and recycling. The independent Institut Interseroh certified that the stand-up pouch has “very good recyclability that cannot be optimized any further.”
Pouch design is revolutionizing the recycling industry
he monomaterial pouch was developed by Werner & Mertz and the global packaging company Mondi during a four-year project based on Cradle to Cradle® principles. The design objective was to use “reverse engineering,” starting from the end of the product life cycle, and create packaging fit for every stage of the recycling process. With the involvement of all stakeholders along the entire supply chain, it was possible to design packaging perfectly suited to recycling and the circular economy. The development of the stand-up pouch even influenced the design of sorting facilities. Because the pieces of plastic sheeting smaller than an 8.5 by 11-inch paper could not be handled by sorting and recycling equipment, the material was thermally recycled, i.e., incinerated. “Plastic sheeting makes up about 40 percent of the waste in the Yellow Bag and represents enormous but untapped potential! In the sense of “Design for Recycling” it was important to us to develop a stand-up pouch that was not just theoretically recyclable. It also had to ensure practical implementation of the recycling process,” said Immo Sander, head of packaging development at Werner & Mertz. During the years of development work, designers consulted with manufacturers of sorting systems in order to guarantee separate sorting and recycling. The independent Institut Interseroh certified that the stand-up pouch has “very good recyclability that cannot be optimized any further.”
Allies required for further development
The first monomaterial refill pouches are not only in use for the professional division of Werner & Mertz but also in the consumer division: The Frosch brand products have been on retail shelves since November 2019. Werner & Mertz has no intention of resting on its laurels, but is working on bigger plans. In the future the flexible plastic packaging not only will be completely recyclable but also made of recycled materials. When sufficient amounts of packaging go into recycling systems that comply with Design for Recycling guidelines, this packaging solution can be realized with recyclates and spare the use of new materials. “In this chicken or egg situation, we lay the foundation with our pouch and hope for imitators. After all, as far as climate change is concerned, we have no choice but to increase recycling rates significantly,” said Werner & Mertz owner Reinhard Schneider.
