Use of Materials
Resource efficiency in respect of materials
- in the Lighting Segment:
- Raw materials: aluminium, steel, plastic granules, paints/varnishes
- Consumables: oils, lubricants, detergents
- Semifinished products or parts: electronic components, light sources
- Packaging material (approx. 70% recycled): plastic film, cardboard, wooden pallets, polystyrene
- Raw materials: aluminium, steel, plastic granules, paints/varnishes
- in the Components Segment:
- Raw materials: steel, copper wire, electronic components, insulating material, magnetic sheet steel, housing parts in steel and plastic
- Consumables: solder, flux, varnishes, oils, lubricants, detergents, potting compound (resins), solvents
- Packaging material: plastic film, cardboard, foam
- Raw materials: steel, copper wire, electronic components, insulating material, magnetic sheet steel, housing parts in steel and plastic
All materials employed are selected in line with stringent quality criteria. In a standardised process, new materials are subjected to inspection with regard to factors such as customer requirements, the requirements of the production process and regulated substances. The aim is to avoid production waste and keep material consumption as low as possible.
Additional savings potential is also exploited at the production plants by employing environmentally compatible product packaging, transport packaging and repackaging systems (e.g. space-saving reels). One important criterion here is downstream efficiency during recycling by the customer. Individual product packaging is therefore designed whenever possible as one-way packaging in cardboard comprising 98% waste paper, or as returnable or reusable packaging. Transport packaging made of polystyrene is replaced wherever possible by bubble wrap or cardboard matting, which also contains a high level of recycled material.
Correct handling of hazardous substances
The Zumtobel Group rigorously ensures that bans or restrictions on the use of substances in line with the RoHS Directive, REACh or other legal regulations are respected. By way of minimum requirements for products, standard procedures include running through a checklist of potential environmental aspects at the product concept stage and completing a hazardous substances safety data sheet. Only those products are released that definitely include no prohibited materials or only within the permissible limits, or for the use of which a statutory exemption applies. An in-house inspection procedure ensures that all environmentally relevant requirements are met.
Replace harmful materials wherever possible
Minimal amounts of mercury are found in fluorescent tubes. These are being replaced to an increasing extent by LEDs. Batteries for minimal lighting in the escape route and emergency lighting manufactured by the Lighting Segment formerly contained the pollutant nickel cadmium. Today, in line with the Battery Directive only nickel-metal hydride batteries are used in escape route lighting. By 2011/12, in line with the Directive, this alternative will also have been fully implemented in the emergency lighting sector as well.
The manufacture of PVC and plastic granulate involves the use of hydrogen cyanide and vinyl chloride. When plastics catch fire, they can release toxic substances such as halogens and hydrogen chloride. This is why, for the wiring of its luminaires, the Lighting Segment is replacing cables that contain PVC with cables that contain no PVC, although there is no legal obligation to do so. PVC-free cables contain no halogens and in the event of fire release hardly any toxic fumes. Conversion measures are scheduled for completion by the 2011/12 financial year.
