Sustainability in Packaging Materials

Nexans has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To reach this long-term goal, numerous initiatives will need to be undertaken.

Our R&D department is fully focused on this objective, actively seeking ways to develop products and services that positively contribute to it. This ranges from producing products more energy-efficiently, reducing raw materials usage, to enhancing recyclability at the end of their lifecycle.

Furthermore, our production facilities in Belgium are now ISO-14001 certified, with a strong emphasis on sustainability as we are in transition to Industry 4.0.

PEFC Certified Wooden Reels & Pallets

Nexans is also making efforts in its packaging. We actively strive to recover as many of our shipped pallets and reels as possible, with partners and customers able to request returns easily through a form. Upon return, all these items undergo thorough inspection and, if necessary, repairs are carried out before they are reused.

In the production of new reels and pallets, we opt for PEFC certified wood. Additionally, reels are transported to the factory in parts, reducing annual transport movements as a complete reel takes up more space than its components.

Be more sustainable by changing to recycled plastics packaging film

As the first major cable manufacturer in the Benelux region, Nexans has modified the film packaging of its cable rolls. Going forward, a more sustainable film made with 30% recycled plastic will be used.

This film was selected after extensive research by partners from the Circular Plastics Alliance, of which Nexans is also a member. Thanks to their CO2 footprint tool, developed in collaboration with CE Delft, it was found that the new film was the best combination to achieve the highest environmental benefits and to guarantee material quality.

The new film is a blend of 70% virgin plastic and 30% PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) plastic. According to the results of the Cradle-to-Consumer approach, this results in a saving of approximately 0.4 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of film. This approach considers the entire lifecycle of a product, from production to consumption by the end user.

With an estimated annual volume of ± 25,000 kg of film, this means that Nexans will save approximately 10,000 kg of CO2-equivalent per year with these sustainable packaging materials. To offset this saving with trees, approximately 300 trees would need to be planted!