Volume 01
Percy Dengler about Baumer hhs´s sustainability mission
Introducing Eco Talks
In our Eco Talks series, various people in management positions at Baumer hhs get an opportunity to share their personal insights on the subject of sustainability. In exclusive interviews, they shed light on Baumer hhs's past and ongoing steps to promote sustainability, and they explain exactly how our innovative solutions help customers to minimise their ecological footprint while making production processes more efficient. Eco Talks – Inspiring insight into sustainable innovation and responsibility.
In our first episode, Managing Director Percy Dengler talks with Florian Lemke (Digital Content Manager) about Baumer hhs’s sustainability mission.
Florian Lemke: Mr Dengler, you refer to sustainability at Baumer hhs as a “mission”. Why do see it as a mission and not just one of many tasks?
Percy Dengler: Very simply because to us, sustainability is more than just another item on our to-do list. It is a responsibility that we as a team share, out of conviction, for the environment, our customers, and society. As part of a global industry, we have an opportunity to make a change. And that motivates us to go farther, even beyond what is necessary, and actively pursue solutions that create real added value.
Florian Lemke: That sounds ambitious. All too often, companies claim they are becoming more sustainable, but fail to progress beyond small steps. What exactly does your strategy look like?
Percy Dengler: We have tried from the outset to anchor sustainability in our processes. One example is our Rethink, Renew, Recycle principle. It is about constantly evaluating the status quo: Can we do something better? Can we reduce our material footprint? Can we improve existing solutions to be both more eco-friendly and efficient?
Take our adhesive application systems for instance: We have developed technologies that significantly reduce material consumption for our customers. That means less waste, lower costs, and higher efficiency: everyone wins.
Florian Lemke: In other words, your customers benefit not only from better technologies, but also from a smaller ecological footprint?
Percy Dengler: Exactly. Our systems help customers to avoid production waste and optimise their use of resources. A good example is achieving compliance with the increasingly strict requirements of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Our technologies help customers to meet these requirements without compromising on quality. Another aspect that we are very serious about is the longevity of our products. Our systems have a reputation for operating reliably for many years, and we have tailored maintenance and service programmes to support them. In addition, we can already give many of our components a second life through our circular remanufacturing programme. The remanufactured products—such as sensors, but also other components and even pumps—give customers a sustainable and low-cost option for replacing existing units. The programme conserves resources, but also ensures that customers get a return on their investment long-term.
Florian Lemke: You mentioned that you have optimised adhesive consumption. Can you explain just what that means?
Percy Dengler: Gladly. By supplying customers with sensors and digital control solutions to precisely monitor and control their adhesive use, we have given them the tools they need to dispense as little as possible and still produce structurally sound packaging. They use only as much adhesive as they really need. This solution not only reduces consumption; it also ensures that the high quality of glued joints is consistent. We are also proud of our SUGRA innovation project, which you may have already heard of. As part of this project, we succeeded in developing a market-ready adhesive based on starch. It represents a major step towards more sustainable packaging.
Florian Lemke: An adhesive based on starch – that sounds intriguing. Is it ready for use in production?
Percy Dengler: Yes it is. After an intensive co-development process with our partners, we are now ready to deliver a market-ready solution. The adhesive meets the demands of the packaging industry and offers the added advantage of being biodegradable. With it, we can help to reduce use of fossil raw materials and give our customers a viable alternative to conventional adhesives.
Florian Lemke: That sounds truly innovative. But as we know, sustainability means more than just new products. What are you doing inside your organisation to make processes more sustainable?
Percy Dengler: We have a lot going on in that regard. For example, we had our company’s carbon footprint analysed in order to pinpoint opportunities to enhance the sustainability of our operations. Based on this information, we took several steps to save energy, for instance by using modern, energy-efficient technologies in production. Another key concern for us is the repairability of our products. From the beginning, we engineer our systems to be easily repairable so they can be used as long as possible.
We have also set up an in-house recycling centre to recycle useful materials and sort waste. Now we can be sure we’re minimising the amount we throw away and recovering valuable raw materials for re-use.
Florian Lemke: Listening to your description, it seems like everything is very well thought out. But in all honesty, what are the greatest challenges you face on the way to greater sustainability?
Percy Dengler: Undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges is developing sustainable solutions that make economic sense. There are a lot of solutions that would be good for the environment but are too costly to survive on the market. It’s our job to find exactly the right balance between innovations that are sustainable but also economically viable. Another challenge is cultural change. Sustainability often means changing habits, doing things differently than what we are accustomed to. That applies to our company as well as our customers
Florian Lemke: Speaking of change: Do you think sustainability will eventually become a standard that everyone has to comply with, or will it remain a subject that only some companies choose to pursue?
Percy Dengler: I am convinced that sustainability will not be optional in the future. Societal pressure is on the rise and regulations are becoming increasingly strict. Companies that invest in sustainable solutions today will be better positioned for success tomorrow. We do not consider it a short-lived trend, but a long-term development. Our mission therefore is to lay the groundwork today.
Florian Lemke: If I may Mr Dengler, I would like to ask you a personal question to conclude: What drives your personal personal commitment to sustainability?
Percy Dengler: To me, sustainability is also a question of responsibility towards my children. I feel we live in a time in which everyone needs to make a contribution, whether as a private person or as a company. I am tremendously motivated by the idea that I can contribute through my work to using resources more conservatively and easing the burden on the environment. It’s a good feeling to work on something that counts in the long run.
Florian Lemke: Thank you very much for our interesting talk, Mr Dengler. I certainly wish you continued success on your mission.
Percy Dengler: My thanks to you as well, Mr Lemke. I enjoyed it and am really pleased that you are so interested in our sustainability journey.