Rotovia's sustainability journey - speech by Rotovia's CEO at the Rotoplas 2024 conference
Our CEO, Dadi Valdimarsson, had the honour of speaking at the largest exhibition for the rotational moulding industry, Rotoplas2024 organised by the Association of Rotational Molders, which took place on 25 and 26 September in Rosemont, IL, USA. In his inspiring speech ‘Rotovia’s Sustainability Journey’, he presented the concrete steps we are taking to reduce our environmental impact, as well as the ambitious goals we intend to achieve in the coming years. His speech demonstrates our commitment to building a greener future and a sustainable business model.
Rotovia as a sustainability leader in the rotomoulding industry
In his speech, Dadi highlighted the key role of sustainability in our business. We have set ourselves an ambitious target – to increase the proportion of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in our production to 20% by 2028, up from 2.9% in just five years!
This commitment addresses growing customer expectations for environmental responsibility in the plastics industry. Specific products, like Saeplast tubs and VARIBOX IBCs, already lead in PCR content, with Saeplast tubs reaching up to 20% PCR in their PE foam cores and VARIBOX achieving 30% PCR (98% in rotomolded pallet). Additionally, we aim to implement product take-back programs to promote a closed-loop economy, where products are used, re-used, collected, cleaned, shredded, and transformed back into rotomolded products.
Innovations in renewable energy and material optimization
A central aspect of our presentation was our strategy to shift to renewable energy sources. We are set to power an increasing number of our rotomolding ovens with carbon-free heating and green electricity. Optimizing our heating and cooling processes is another key effort to reduce energy usage. This approach not only reduces our carbon footprint but also minimizes our reliance on primary raw materials.
Our material roptimization strategy includes lightweighting initiatives and quality assurance for PCR content. By testing properties like tensile strength and density for every batch, we ensure that our recycled materials meet high-performance standards.
Rotovia's vision for the future as a global industry leader
Looking ahead, we aim to double our turnover by 2028, fuelled by an expanded product portfolio and entry into new markets. Sustainability remains integral to this growth, as we develop new recycling and green energy solutions to strengthen our leadership in environmental responsibility within the plastics industry. Our goals include use carbon-free heating ovens, increased green electricity use, and implementing advanced recycling systems. Initiatives like our iTUB sharing system and VARIBOX rebottling service further extend product lifespans, helping to minimize waste and optimize resource use.
As a company, our focus is not only on environmental responsibility, but also on the wellbeing of our employees, customers and communities. This means upholding high standards for human rights, equitable workplace policies, and employee health and safety. Additionally, we place strong emphasis on governance, fostering a corporate culture grounded in transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and compliance. By integrating these principles into our operations, we build trust and reinforce our role as a leader in sustainable practices, prioritizing both people and the planet in every aspect of our business.
Our participation in Rotoplas 2024 highlights our drive for a sustainable future – not only for Rotovia but for the industry as a whole. Sustainability is more than a goal, it’s the foundation of our vision for the future.
