Environment

Environmental protection starts in the factory

Sustainability begins at Benecke-Kaliko with the manufacturing process. In this respect, as well, the company is a pioneer: With special ventilation systems and bio-beds, the company has been able to reduce carbon emissions by 94.5 percent since 1988. Water and energy consumption has been reduced continuously and closed material loops ensure that production scraps, varnish and paint are rechanneled into the production cycle.

An increasingly important role is also assigned short transport routes and on-site production. Having recognized this early on, Benecke-Kaliko built modern plants in key economic areas.

Under the catchword “green thinking,” protecting people and the environment is gaining in importance in the USA and China. This is why Benecke-Kaliko applied the same tough standards that apply in Germany to the challenging NAFTA area as well as to the expanding Chinese market.

Environmental awareness and industrial safety concerns were clearly brought to the attention of employees when the 10 relevant commandments were posted all over the plants. Since then, a lot has been done to ensure that these commandments are rigorously implemented. Regular training courses have been run and behavior-oriented audits and five-minute talks on specific subjects conducted.

A very visible indication to the general public of Benecke-Kaliko’s striving for more sustainable products is the fact that already back in 1996 its environmental management system was certified in accordance with the EU EMAS standard. The company issues regular environmental declarations documenting the progress made in this area. These are posted on the Internet for general viewing.