nVent Adopts Post Consumer Recycled Material for Braided Conductor Packaging

The nVent team has undertaken an ambitious project to drive sustainable packaging for nVent ERIFLEX braided conductors by transitioning to 100% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material effective July 10th, 2023. The change in packaging was led by the nVent team in Andrezieux, France including Frederic Bizet, Product Marketing Manager, and Thierry Varillon, Technologist. Their implementation of this sustainability improvement will reduce nVent’s environmental impact—the change from polypropylene to 100% PCR polyethylene will reduce the CO2 emissions, and nVent will use less newly-manufactured, non-recycled materials in its packaging. 

The change in packaging aligns with nVent’s ESG Products pillar vision statement: innovative solutions that deliver efficiency, reduced resource consumption and safety to create a sustainable future. In producing sustainable products, nVent focuses on three categories: eco-friendly materials, eco-friendly designs, and end-user safety. To meet the standards of these crucial categories, nVent depends on employees such as Bizet and Varillon to implement improvements and turn its goals into actions.  

Throughout the past few years, nVent has received feedback from customers to change the packaging material of their products to make it more sustainable. Bizet and Varillon took it upon themselves to find a solution. nVent has traditionally used virgin plastics in its braided conductor packaging since other materials do not tend to hold the same strength and durability. Four months ago, nVent’s supplier introduced the PCR material which led to package testing and eventually, the adoption of the new and improved material. The use of 100% PCR Polyethylene has many benefits including an estimated 62% reduction of CO2 emissions from braided conductor packaging production. 

The transition to PCR material has brought some challenges. “We have to organize, so that when we produce with the new box, we are not going to ship mixed packaging to our customers,” said Bizet. 

To solve this challenge, nVent has implemented a First In First Out (FIFO) organization to ensure that old and new packaging are not mixed. Following the introduction of this new packaging material, nVent is looking to continue finding more sustainable solutions for other product packaging. As nVent strives to contribute to a more sustainable future, the adoption of recycled plastic for the packaging of braided conductors is a step in the right direction.