Sandler bags award for commitment to environmental protection

April 20, 2012 - Germany

The German nonwovens producer Sandler AG was awarded by the Bavarian Minister for the Environment, Dr. Marcel Huber, for the longstanding participation in the Bavarian Environmental Pact. Horst Graf, Sandler AG’s Vice President of Plant Operations, accepted the award presented by the minister in the “Kaisersaal” hall of the educational centre Kloster Banz near Coburg.

Sandler has been a member of the Bavarian Environmental Pact since 1999. Therein, companies commit to additional voluntary environmental protection initiatives. The Environmental Pact is based on direct responsibility and cooperation and deals with topics such as reducing emissions, energy efficiency, simplifying administration, Integrated Product Policy, climate dialogue and emissions trading, raw materials policy, water summit and management systems.

For many years, environmental protection has been part of Sandler’s corporate philosophy and the company addresses the subject of sustainability in the development and sales of eco-friendly nonwovens as well as in other areas of the company. Along these lines, viscose fibres originating from sustainable forestry which are certified according to the PEFC and FSC standards are used above all in the manufacturing of nonwoven wet wipe substrates.

One third of the raw materials in production is renewable and owing to a comprehensive monitoring of the water, electricity and gas consumption natural resources are being preserved. In accordance with the guiding principles „avoid, reduce, reuse, dispose properly“ the waste generation in production is being minimised and a part of the nonwovens is being fed back into the production process. Energy consumption is reduced by means of heat recovery.

Even Sandler AG’s company buildings have been adapted to the surroundings in Schwarzenbach/Saale. With a company biotope and a green belt around the company premises Sandler contributes to the conservation of rare plant species.

Outside the company grounds, within the scope of environmental sponsorship, Sandler supports the Eco-Park Hertelsleite, a local nature-orientated recreation area offering relaxation and events for young and old.

Regular training courses raise the staff members‘ awareness for environmental aspects; an employee suggestion system provides the opportunity to bring forward ideas for improvement. On a number of occasions, Sandler AG was already honoured for the corporate environmental management, among others the company was awarded with the Bavarian Environmental Medal in 1999.

Already in 1995, Sandler was one of the first companies in Bavaria to be certified according to the EG Eco-Audit. In 1998 the company obtained international DIN EN 14001 standard certification. All nonwovens produced by Sandler bear the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label.