Injection moulding machine manufacturer Engel Austria has become one of the first companies delivering such hardware to sign up to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment.
Run by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the aim of the initiative is to create a circular economy for plastics. To date, more than 350 companies, organisations and universities have signed up to the programme.
As part of the initiative, Engel has committed to supporting the transfer of plastics into closed-loop material cycles.
“As a member of the international plastics industry, we are not only responsible for our own products, but also for the products that are produced on our machines,” said Dr. Stefan Engleder, CEO of the Engel Group. Engel has its headquarters in Schwertberg, Austria.
He continued: “It is important to us to utilise our experience and knowledge to ensure that people in all regions of the world will handle plastics responsibly and that the conditions are created for plastic products to be returned to the material cycle at the end of their useful life.”
Started in 2018, the initiative looks to avoid unnecessary packaging. By 2025, all plastic packaging should be reused, recycled or composted.
Engel will support customers in designing and producing packaging in accordance with the circular economy initiative, incorporating a greater percentage of recycled materials.
In addition, each company taking part in the programme has been asked to set related goals and report back to the foundation on progress towards those targets.