New ‘Forming the Future’ network shares know-how on choice of materials

Nolato has an internal network that was created to increase the proportion of recycled and bio-based raw materials, an area that is seeing growing possibilities.

“There’s currently a strong trend in opportunities to use recycled and bio-based materials in the manufacture of polymer products,” comments Glenn Svedberg, Group Sustainability & Technology Director. “It’s not just about the quantities produced, but also which types of material are offered and their particular properties. 

“There’s no doubt that there are significant business opportunities, not just for us but also for our customers, in being at the forefront and having solid skills in this field,” says Glenn Svedberg. “We’re noticing that our customers are becoming increasingly aware that the right material combined with the right design, Eco­Design, presents major advantages.”

 

Important for us to engage

“We believe it’s important for us to engage in our value chain,” notes Glenn Svedberg. “We’re in the middle, which means we have an opportunity to exert an influence both upstream and downstream. We can contribute both to the right raw materials being developed and manufactured, and ensure customers understand the benefits of choosing them when developing new products.

“Nolato doesn’t often have much control when it comes to materials, but we can make a difference by getting involved in both directions and sharing our know-how.“

 

Tougher requirements

“A growing number of companies are signing up to sustainability initiatives such as Science Based Targets. This means that they are starting to impose tougher requirements on their suppliers, because they need their knowledge and commitment to achieve their own environmental targets.”

Glenn Svedberg believes Nolato is in a great position to respond to this trend. “Twice as many companies have signed up to Science Based Targets over the past year than previously. The fastest development right now is among Asian companies.”

Nolato has a wealth of knowledge and experience in choice of materials. To share this knowledge throughout the Group, Nolato has created an internal network – Forming the Future. 

Selected suppliers will also be able to attend the network meetings and talk about their offering, which may be an incentive for them in their development work.

“The network will be a great platform for us to come together, share our knowledge and get it out to our customers,” comments Glenn Svedberg. “We know that they are interested, even if it’s harder to take an innovative approach in some areas, particularly medtech, due to the regulations.”