Sustainability

Phormium

The world is changing, and so is Phormium.

Sustainability has become an integral part of how business should be run, either driven by end customers requests or regulations.

Solar panels

Challenges :

In order to answer such challenges, we categorize our efforts into the following areas :

1. More efficient operations

2. More sustainable products :

  • In terms of features
  • In terms of their materials content
  • In terms of recyclability

More efficient operations :

Throughout the years we have worked on reducing energy consumption and waste

  • We are recycling (inline recycling) about 60 % of our production waste in the extrusion process
  • Reduced use of chemical materials or number of them?
  • We use recycled material for garbage bags, for collecting internal waste.
  • Reduction of electricity use
  • In 2022 : 100% of our electricity supply came from green energy (50% nuclear, 50% solar and wind)
  • Other projects are ongoing, driven by the outcome of our manufacturing operations carbon footprint analysis.

More sustainable products :

1. In terms of features and thanks to our unique weaving process :

Phormium is the only horticulture screen manufacturer that warranties 8 years lifetime. Knowing that in real life, our screens last even longer. Limiting too short replacement of screens, when not required for plant or vegetable growing, is a first step towards better sustainability.

 

2. In terms of their materials content:

Thanks to our MEP technology (Micro Encapsulated Particles), we are able to achieve high levels of reflective shading in replacement of aluminum foils that have higher carbon footprint.

Phormium is the market leader in bio based landscaping groundcovers under the name Duracover. The material is made of PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) originating from starch coming from corn.

 

3. In terms of recyclability :

Currently, screens for horticulture are incinerated for end of life. The process liberates energy that can be reused, but also rejects fumes.

Improvements could come from transforming used screens into other products, hence contributing to a circular economy. Phormium is reviewing such possibilities.