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SIG Combibloc: successful environmental management at its German locations Linnich, March 2004. At the SIG Combibloc German production plants located in Linnich (North-Rhine/Westphalia) and Lutherstadt Wittenberg (Saxony-Anhalt) the Environmental Management System, introduced in 1997, is implemented and incor-porated as an integral part of everyday working life. This has now been confirmed by independent environmental verifiers, who closely scrutinised both locations. At the same time, the Environmental Management Systems of the companies SIG Combibloc Systems GmbH and PKL Flexible Verpackungen GmbH, also located in Linnich, were audited and declared to be effective. SIG Combibloc Systems is the central research and development facility of the internationally active SIG Combibloc group. PKL Flexible Verpackungen GmbH which for decades has been based in Linnich, was sold, mid-2003, to Sopal, a subsidiary of the French Groupe Gascogne SA, but maintains its corporate seat on the SIG Combibloc site. In terms of environmental management, all three companies located at two sites, really did their homework. For Dr. Thomas Gernikeites, Environmental Management Coordinator, the audits meant a great deal of coordination and harmonisation, but the final result was well worth the effort. For the first time, the two locations Linnich and Wittenberg are in a position to publish a joint Environmental Statement in accordance with the most recent EMAS Regulation. Given the fact that two Environmental Management systems exist side by side – the European EMAS and the worldwide ISO 14001 – did not deter SIG Combibloc, which voluntarily took on both challenges, and achieved very good results in each audit. Development, production, sales and service processes for filling machines and carton packages were continuously optimised. Continuous ecological improvement process evident at both locations External verifiers inspected different operational areas at both locations for an entire week. They examined relevant documentation, toured the plants and offices and conducted numerous interviews with the personnel. At the official closing summary, Environmental Verifier Horst Glenz delivered these compliments: “The continuous ecological improvement process is visible. At the Wittenberg production facilities, in particular, the environmental management system is exemplary and leaves very little scope for improvement.” Also at the significantly larger Linnich location, only minor corrective measures need to be implemented. Albeit, the employees there are confronted with considerably greater responsibilities and additional tasks. Explicitly assessed as positive were the involvement of employees in ideas management, target group oriented public relations activities and the carefully conceived approval management concept. Prevention at source through efficient use of resources The city of Linnich benefits directly from the environmental measures that have been implemented to date. For example, substantial investments in the project “Local Safety Concept”, achieved measurable progress in noise abatement for the protection of local inhabitants directly affected. A second, new plant access road is easing the city’s traffic situation and reducing exhaust emission levels to the benefit of the inhabitants. By steadily lowering reject rates, raw materials were used more efficiently and waste volumes reduced. Energy consumption also fell. Employees were motivated and sensitised through dedicated events such as “Action Week Energy” organised in conjunction with the NRW Energy Authority, or the “Action Week Compressed Air” focusing on the use of compressed air. In addition, machine optimisation programmes were put into effect. For the period 2003 to 2005, both production locations have again set themselves ambitious environmental objectives, to be achieved through broad employee support. The commitment of SIG Combibloc in Linnich and Wittenberg to ecological optimisation of the development, production, sales and service processes related to filling machines and carton packages, helps to ensure that beverage cartons will continue to be classified as ecologically beneficial and, hence, remain deposit-free. Download Media Release 040422 Your contact: Dr. Isabella Classen – Manager Environmental Communications SIG Combibloc GmbH Rurstrasse 58, D-52441 Linnich, Germany Tel: +49 2462 79 2940 Fax: +49 2462 79 17 2940 E-mail: isabella.classen@sig.biz SIG Combibloc is one of the world's leading systems suppliers of carton packaging and filling machines for beverages and food. Employing approx. 4,060 people, the company recorded sales of EUR 1,075 million in 2004. SIG Combibloc is a division of SIG Holding AG, Neuhausen am Rheinfall. ;)
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At the biggest production location of the SIG Group in Linnich, General Manager Manfred Schlapps (l.) and Dr. Thomas Gernikeites, Environmental Management Coordinator (r.), share their satisfaction at the successful Eco Audit, together with the Independent Environmental Verifiers Horst Glenz (2nd l.) and Wolfgang Baldauf. News overview >> |
