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The new EU Ecodesign Regulation will bring about significant changes in product design. The aim is to make sustainable products the norm, which reduces the burden on the environment and benefits consumers. In 2022, the European Commission presented a proposal for a new Ecodesign Regulation that goes beyond the previous Ecodesign Directive. While the latter focused primarily on the energy efficiency of electrical appliances, the new regulation aims to make almost all products recyclable and reduce environmental and climate impacts. On December 5, 2023, the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement. The new Ecodesign Regulation replaces that of 2005 and also takes into account criteria such as durability, reuse, repairability, recyclability and energy and resource efficiency. The only exceptions are food and feed, medical devices, plant and animal products, vehicles and national security products. The regulations for the product groups are gradually being established by delegated acts. The work program for these acts will be published in the first nine months after the regulation comes into force and updated regularly. Prioritized product groups include iron & steel, aluminum (clothing & shoes), furniture (including mattresses), tires, detergents, lubricants, chemicals, data processing products and electronics . According to the current text, the first delegated acts may not be adopted until twelve months after the regulation comes into force. A ban on the destruction of unsold clothing and shoes will take effect two years after it comes into force. SMEs will be given longer transition periods, micro-entrepreneurs are exempt. The Commission can extend the ban to other product groups. The Ecodesign Regulation also intervenes in public procurement in order to lead to green procurement through implementing acts on technical specifications, award criteria, conditions for contract execution or targets. However, this must not result in disproportionate costs. A digital product passport will become mandatory. In addition to general product information, it will also contain disposal instructions to ensure that all actors along the value chain have relevant information on ecological sustainability.

The benefits of the new EU Ecodesign Regulation for manufacturers, consumers and the environment summarized

Sustainability and environmental friendliness:

• Reduction of environmental impact: Less resource consumption and better recyclability reduce environmental impact and the carbon footprint.
• Circular economy: Products are designed to be recycled and reused, reducing waste and conserving resources.

Cost savings:

• Longer durability and repairability : Consumers save money in the long term through longer-lasting and repairable products.
• Energy and resource efficiency : More efficient products reduce operating costs, especially in terms of energy consumption and maintenance.

Product quality and reliability:

• Higher quality standards : Stricter quality and durability requirements increase reliability and customer satisfaction.

Transparency and consumer information:

• Digital Product Passport : Contains important information about products such as environmental sustainability, disposal instructions and repair options, making it easier to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Sustainability information : Easily accessible information on environmental sustainability strengthens trust in brands and products.

Regulatory compliance and future security:

• Regulatory Compliance : Compliance with the latest requirements minimizes legal risks and improves brand image.
• Ban on the destruction of goods : The ban on the destruction of unsold clothing and shoes promotes more responsible and sustainable product use.

Public procurement:

• Green procurement requirements : Integrating sustainability criteria into public procurement increases the demand for environmentally sustainable products and creates business opportunities for environmentally friendly companies.

We support you

We at Interzero are your competent contact for sustainability . Our vision: a future without waste. To achieve this, we offer resource-saving solutions and close cycles – from analyzing your packaging with ” Made for Recycling ” to optimization with ” Made4Circle “. Use our know-how to implement the Ecodesign Regulation and benefit in your line of business.

Contact us to make a positive contribution to the environment together. Contact us now!

From May 13th to 17th, Interzero took part in IFAT in Munich, the leading global trade fair for the water, sewage, waste and raw materials industry. This event marked a significant milestone for our company – it was the first major joint appearance of our various business areas under the unified banner of Interzero. During these five days, our trade fair visitors had the opportunity to get to know the broad international offering as well as the thematic highlights and innovations of Interzero. WIN-WIN: Our main theme at IFAT
Our trade fair motto “WIN-WIN” could not have been more apt. The recycling of raw materials not only makes a decisive contribution to conserving resources, but also opens up new, sustainable paths economically and socially. Thematic highlights included the material account, textile recycling, packaging licensing and chemical recycling. Our contribution in the area of plastic recycling, intelligent recording systems and high-tech sorting systems was particularly impressive. With more than 800,000 tons of sorted lightweight packaging (LVP) and recyclable material mixtures per year, we have the largest sorting capacities in Europe! Comment from Thomas Glatz, Managing Director: ”

It was a great pleasure for us in the Austrian team to be part of the fantastic Interzero stand at the IFAT in Munich and to demonstrate the internationality of our company together with our colleagues from Germany, Italy, Croatia and others. WIN-WIN was our main theme and we put this clearly in the spotlight with our innovative services and offers relating to the circular economy and sustainability , thereby underlining our innovative strength! In the spirit of a world without waste. “

Always up to date: #WIN-WIN – our sustainability magazine, brand new from IFAT
With our magazine, sustainability is finally getting the stage it deserves. We see the future in it – we shape the future with it. It makes the world a little better every day. In #WIN-WIN we provide deep insights into the latest developments and success stories in the industry. The magazine contains exciting joint projects with our partners and reference customers and paints a comprehensive picture of progress in the field of sustainability. We report on possibilities for transformation through smart solutions and recycling/re-use as elementary components of a contemporary corporate identity. A special highlight is the interview with Britta von Selchow, our expert for economic and scalable cycles, and Sabine Braun from Accenture, one of the most experienced sustainability consultants in Germany. This conversation is more than an interview – it is a conversation about the future. Her conclusion: ”

Relieve the burden on the planet? It is best achieved together. Openness and the ability to collaborate are important core competencies of our future .” You can read the entire conversation and all the exciting topics from Interzero in our sustainability magazine #WIN-WIN. It is available exclusively for download here so that you too are up to date. Enjoy reading!

Waste disposal presents many industrial companies with complex challenges. Every year, around 70 million tons of waste are generated in Austria – a large part of which is packaging for industry. But this is not just waste, but valuable raw materials that can – and even must – be recycled.

Waste must be disposed of properly so that valuable materials can be created for recycling

Current laws such as the new Austrian Packaging Ordinance, which has been in force since January 1, 2023, and the planned European Packaging Ordinance PPWR (Packaging, Packaging Waste Regulation) set the pace here: In order to increase recycling rates in Austria and achieve a climate-neutral circular economy by 2050, waste must be recycled for as long as possible. But only if waste is disposed of correctly can it be turned into valuable materials for recycling . In practice, this means that waste materials must be sorted and compacted at the same place where they are generated. Packaging is usually still shredded by hand, collection points are overflowing, and frequent collection transports cause high CO2 emissions and disposal costs.

Profitable waste recycling: 80% of managers want more efficient processes

In order to make waste management efficient, we at Interzero develop tailor-made complete solutions – from the recycling concept to the handling of disposal and profitable waste recycling . “

Through innovative disposal solutions, companies can convert waste into valuable materials and at the same time save costs, time and CO2 emissions. They can also generate additional income from their waste streams. Proper disposal is the key to this. “, explains Martin Ulke, Managing Director of Interzero Circular Solutions Europe .

Up to 90% less volume: High-tech solutions save transport and disposal costs

Here we rely on the powerful high-tech machines from ORWAK and Avermann and distribute them as an official trading partner in Austria. With these waste compaction and baling systems, large quantities of packaging and waste materials can be sorted and pressed into bales at the push of a button. This means that the amount of waste can be reduced to up to 10% of its original volume. After pressing, the material can be picked up directly by Interzero, recycled and made available to industry for reuse.

The main advantages for you:

1. More profit : Fewer pickups and transports save costs. Higher recycling revenues can be achieved with industrial bales.
2. Increased productivity : Efficient recycling increases operational efficiency.
3. More order & safety : Reduces health and safety risks.
4. More space : Compact bales require less storage space.
5. More recycling : Highly compressed waste is given priority for recycling.
6. More environmental and climate protection : Longer collection intervals ensure lower CO2 emissions.

More information

Discover profitable recycling with our high-tech solutions. Our new Selection Guide offers the best overview of our wide range of machines. Available exclusively for download here. Our specialists will also be happy to advise you personally.

Vienna. Since the beginning of May, a total of three other companies in Austria and Germany have been operating under the name of the Interzero Group, Europe’s leading provider of circular and plastic recycling solutions. profitara austria gmbh, which has been operating as a subsidiary of Interzero Circular Solutions Europe GmbH for 14 years, has become Interzero Circular Consulting Austria Gmbh . This change marks an important step towards a uniform brand presence and a clear positioning in the field of sustainable consulting. Let us take a look at the background, goals and advantages of this name change.

background and motivation

profitara austria gmbh has previously been active in the field of packaging disposal management. Its focus was on supporting companies in fulfilling their legal obligations in connection with packaging waste. With the renaming to Interzero Circular Consulting Austria GmbH, this focus will be expanded and strengthened.

New focus on sustainability

Interzero Circular Consulting Austria GmbH has set itself the goal of supporting companies on their path to a sustainable circular economy. Its services now include not only classic waste management, but also consulting and strategy development in the area of sustainability. From product design to resource optimization to the circular economy – the experts at the new company offer tailor-made solutions for a better future.

Authorized representative for all EPR areas

Another important aspect of the rebranding is the role of Interzero Circular Consulting Austria GmbH as an authorized representative for all EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) areas. This means that it not only operates in the area of packaging waste, but is also responsible for other product categories such as waste electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and more. This simplifies cooperation with the authorities and ensures an efficient and holistic approach.

Parallel Development in Germany

Similar changes are also taking place in Germany. The companies Interseroh + and Bramin were also renamed in order to strengthen the international brand presence. This shows that the Interzero Group is strategically aligning its subsidiaries and exploiting synergies between countries. Interseroh+ GmbH will now trade under the name Interzero Recycling Alliance GmbH and BRAMIN GmbH will from now on operate under the name Interzero Baler Solutions GmbH . At the beginning of January 2024, Interzero had already successfully renamed the entire plastics recycling division to Interzero. This will continue to promote the long-term, uniform brand presence of all companies belonging to the group. The renamings make it possible to position the portfolio and many years of expertise of all companies under a single roof – this creates clarity for employees, customers and partners.

IES – Not only sustainable, but also profitable.
What is it? Orientation and Benefits

Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) from Interzero are tailor-made services that aim to minimize the environmental impact of your business processes and maximize their sustainability. IES goes beyond traditional environmental consulting by not only identifying specific challenges, but also implementing practical and efficient solutions . These services combine in-depth analysis and comprehensive advice with real implementation expertise. This sets Interzero apart from other providers and seamlessly integrates circular economy principles into customers’ operational processes. These solutions are not only environmentally friendly, but also offer significant economic benefits by reducing costs and opening up new value streams.

From PET to premium – innovative deposit system in Italy as an example

The ” CoRePla” project perfectly illustrates how Interzero successfully implements sustainable business models. In Italy, an innovative, voluntary deposit system for PET bottles was established that closes the cycle for this packaging. By installing deposit machines in retail stores, customers are encouraged to return their bottles voluntarily (without a legal obligation) and receive vouchers in return. This promotes recycling, reduces plastic waste and increases environmental awareness. Central technological solutions such as a specially developed user app and digital platform optimize the logistics and monitoring of the entire recycling process. Comprehensive marketing campaigns also support the project by raising awareness of the importance of recycling.

From the windshield to the rubber boot – recycling of PVB film in Poland as an example

Another impressive example of IES in action is the project with Pilkington Automotive Poland . Here, Interzero developed a method to convert excess PVB film , which was previously only incinerated, into valuable recyclable granules . These granules are now used by the Fagum-Stoil company to produce rubber boots, which is not only environmentally friendly but also cost-efficient. The project shows how waste products can be put to good use and effectively reintegrated into the production cycle through innovative recycling methods, putting the principles of the circular economy into practice and representing a win-win situation for two companies. These examples demonstrate how Interzero’s Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) not only protect the environment but also generate economic benefits that go far beyond conventional environmental management approaches . By transforming waste into value and integrating circular economy principles into our customers’ business models, Interzero proves that sustainable concepts are not only feasible but also financially attractive. Let us work together to transform your specific environmental challenges into sustainable opportunities.

Do you have any questions for us? Join us in actively shaping the future of integrated environmental solutions. Contact us now!

Visit us from May 13 to 17, 2024 at IFAT in Munich , the world’s leading trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management. In Hall A6, Stand 450, we will be presenting our innovative circular solutions and the latest developments in the field of efficient plastic recycling. Waste prevention, reuse and recycling of recyclable materials make a measurable contribution to relieving the burden on our planet – and opening up new, sustainable perspectives for business and society. “WIN-WIN” is therefore also the motto of our trade fair appearance. As winners of the German Sustainability Award 2024, we will present how companies and the environment benefit from the circular economy. Exchange ideas with us about the latest trends and developments in the circular economy. And get to know concrete solutions from our business areas:

• circular solutions
• Plastics recycling
• Interseroh+ offer

WIN WIN: Interzero @IFAT 2024 – Get your free GoGreen day ticket now
Register with the keyword IFAT at marketing@interzero.at and receive a voucher code for a free day ticket, which automatically makes a climate protection contribution to offset the travel emissions.

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>> Reply now and secure your appointment!

The sustainability agenda is playing an increasingly important role in today’s business world, especially in Austria, where companies are increasingly implementing sustainable practices. Non-financial reporting, through the EU-mandated Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), is a key tool for companies to transparently present their environmental and social responsibilities. This concerns areas such as environmental impact, social sustainability and corporate governance. Our upcoming webinar “How the Environmental Sustainability Dashboard supports your sustainability goals and CSRD requirements” will focus on the practical implementation and its comprehensive impact on the European business environment. It will also introduce the Environmental Sustainability Dashboard developed by Interzero, an innovative solution for optimizing environmental KPIs. The dashboard enables companies to efficiently monitor and manage their environmental impact. It offers user-friendly analysis tools that provide real-time data on water and energy consumption, waste management and many other environmental aspects. Through this data, companies can not only ensure their compliance with the CSRD, but also make strategic decisions that advance their sustainability goals.

>>Register here! <<

The trilogue negotiations, moderated by the European Commission, have been running since the beginning of this year. There have already been a large number of technical meetings at working level. The Belgian EU Council Presidency has worked until recently to find a compromise that is acceptable to all. To achieve this, Belgium has made further changes and clarifications to the text of the political agreement reached on March 4th. These are aimed in particular at reaching a compromise on the regulations regarding the recyclates that count towards the minimum recycled material usage quotas . Recyclates from other EU countries may now also be used if they meet the European quality and sustainability requirements for recycled materials. The Commission proposal provides for the mandatory use of recycled materials (Article 7 on the use of recycled plastics) from consumer waste in every plastic packaging unit from 2030. Here is the table with the preliminary agreement on the minimum recycled material usage levels:

Recyclable packaging (Article 6)

From January 1, 2030, all packaging should be designed to be recyclable, and from 2035, it should also be collected, sorted and recycled using established procedures to a specified minimum extent. In addition, the packaging is divided into 3 recycling classes AC , with A representing a recyclability of more than 95% and class C representing a recyclability of less than or equal to 70%. If packaging falls below this value of 70% from 2030, it may no longer be placed on the European market. (However, there will be transition periods and exceptions)
In addition to this classification , the license fee to be paid (EPR fee) will be dependent on the recyclability of the packaging placed on the market. This is also known as eco-modulation.

Compostable packaging (Article 8)

According to the Commission’s proposal, fruit and vegetable labels and coffee and tea filters and pads must be industrially compostable within two years of coming into force because it is difficult to separate the packaging from the actual organic waste and there is therefore a not insignificant risk that the packaging will also be disposed of in the organic waste. The Council and Parliament agree with this. The European Parliament also wants to introduce the possibility of home composting of this packaging. The Commission and Parliament also envisage the industrial compostability of very light plastic carrier bags after two or three years, although the Council wants to leave this decision to the Member States. The decision as to whether or not compostable packaging should be subject to separate collection as organic waste is to be made by the Member States themselves in accordance with Article 22(1) of the Waste Framework Directive. There is also already agreement that all packaging other than those mentioned (including biodegradable or compostable packaging) must be recycling-ready three years after the Packaging Ordinance comes into force, without affecting the recyclability of other waste streams.

labelling of packaging (Article 11)

The agreement stipulates that three years after the entry into force of the regulation, packaging placed on the market must be provided with a label containing information on the material composition . This will make it easier for consumers to collect separately. The label must be based on pictograms and be easy to understand. Transport packaging is exempt, except for electronic packaging . In addition to the label, a QR code or other digital data carrier can be attached to the packaging. One and a half years after the PPWR comes into force, the Commission will adopt implementing acts laying down a harmonised label and specifications for the labelling requirements and formats.
The trilogue negotiations between the EU Council, the EU Parliament and the EU Commission have been concluded . The next steps are the vote in the plenary session of the Parliament. This will then be decided in the Environment Council before it is published in the EU Official Journal. This is to be applied after a 10-month implementation period . Do you have any questions about the new PPWR Regulation or do you need support with implementation? Our sustainability experts are happy to help you. Contact us now for detailed advice!

Waste disposal presents many industrial companies with complex challenges. According to a recent study, 80% of the companies surveyed want efficient solutions, and 66% want to outsource the necessary work processes entirely. The environmental service provider Interzero offers innovative disposal concepts and high-tech solutions that not only enable the complete recycling of all types of recyclable materials, but also save costs.

Vienna, April 15, 2024 – Around 70 million tons of waste are generated in Austria every year – a large part of which is packaging for industry. But this is not just waste, but valuable raw materials that can – and even must – be recycled. Current laws such as the new Austrian Packaging Ordinance, which has been in force since January 1, 2023, and the planned EU Packaging Ordinance set the pace here: In order to increase recycling rates in Austria and achieve a climate-neutral circular economy by 2050, waste must be recycled for as long as possible. But only if waste is disposed of correctly can it be used to produce valuable materials for recycling. Companies are therefore legally obliged to dispose of it properly. In practice, this means that waste materials must be sorted and compacted at the same place where they are generated in order to be able to be recycled. However, this presents numerous challenges for many industrial companies: packaging is usually still shredded by hand, collection points are overflowing and frequent collection transports cause high CO2 emissions and disposal costs.

Profitable waste recycling: 80% of managers want more efficient processes

In order to make waste management efficient, Interzero, as an innovation driver for the circular economy, develops tailor-made complete solutions – from recycling concepts to handling disposal and profitable waste recycling. As a recent study ¹ shows, the demand for such solutions is high: around 80% of the managers surveyed in Europe would like to focus on more efficient processes, measures to reduce waste and circular solutions. Around 40% would like to use external consulting services to develop such solutions. Two thirds (66%) would also like to be able to outsource work processes entirely.

“Through innovative disposal solutions, companies can convert waste into valuable materials and at the same time save costs, time and CO2 emissions. They can also generate additional income from their waste streams. Proper disposal is the be-all and end-all. As a full-service provider, we support you in all process steps and thus enable efficient and profitable waste management “, explains Martin Ulke, Managing Director of Interzero Circular Solutions Europe.

Up to 90% less volume: High-tech solutions save transport and disposal costs

In order to recycle waste as a valuable material, it must first be sorted and shredded. Interzero has been using the high-performance high-tech machines from the two world-leading suppliers ORWAK and Avermann for many years and is one of the few official trading partners to sell them in Austria. With these waste compaction and baling systems, large quantities of packaging and waste materials – such as cardboard, film, PET bottles, cans or even residual waste – can be sorted directly at the source at the push of a button and pressed into bales with little noise. This means that waste quantities can be reduced to up to 10% of their original volume, saving transport and disposal costs and minimizing environmental impact. After pressing, the material can be picked up directly by Interzero, which buys this material, recycles it and makes it available to industry for reuse.

“The use of waste compaction systems not only saves a lot of space, but also a lot of time. Waste compaction is now carried out without any manual effort and with a significantly reduced risk of injury. Interzero’s waste compaction solutions therefore make a decisive contribution to greater efficiency and effectiveness. They enable sustainable management, improve occupational safety and help comply with environmental guidelines. This reduces disposal costs and improves the ecological footprint. “, says Martin Ulke.

Successful implementation in industry: SWARCO and Sto as model companies

Many industrial companies are faced with the challenge of having to dispose of large quantities of waste efficiently and in a space-saving manner. Due to the high volume of waste, skips quickly become overfilled – frequent collection trips and high disposal costs are the result. This is why many leading industrial companies have been relying on efficient waste compaction solutions from Interzero for years. For example, SWARCO Road Marking Systems – a division of the Austrian traffic technology group SWARCO – and the company STO at the Villach site. Large quantities of plastic packaging such as transport bags (big bags) and films – some of which were previously pressed by employees with the help of a forklift – can now be easily collected and compacted in the shortest possible time using waste presses. This saves costs, time and CO2 emissions. “What used to be a strenuous task for our employees can now be handled efficiently with a container press. This enables us to reduce our waste volumes, which means fewer collection transports and therefore fewer CO2 emissions and disposal costs. Interzero also supports us in meeting all legal obligations regarding waste disposal “, explains Daniel Rumbold, Head of Logistics at Sto Austria. SWARCO Road Marking Systems is already demonstrating at several locations in Austria how waste compaction can not only save costs and CO2, but also generate revenue. By using several baling presses, cardboard, foil and big bags are pressed into bales of different types at the push of a button. The bales are then picked up by a recycling company, which processes the pressed materials and remunerates them accordingly as recyclable materials. “

The collaboration with Interzero has changed the awareness of our employees – many have now realized that with the help of modern solutions, waste can be converted into valuable materials. Through efficient waste compaction, we can not only save costs and CO2, but also generate income from our waste streams. Given the many advantages, we would like to expand the use of the presses to other locations “, explains Martina Dobner, CSR Specialist at SWARCO Road Marking Systems. ¹ The study was conducted in July 2023 on behalf of Interzero by Target Research in Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Poland. 235 C-level executives in medium and large companies from industry, trade and the food and beverage industry were surveyed. You can find more information about our machines on our website: Machine Trading Platform – Interzero Austria Product Platform

We are pleased to invite you on an inspiring trip into the world of the circular economy. From May 13 to 17, 2024, Interzero will be exhibiting at IFAT 2024 in Munich – the world trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management. We look forward to presenting our innovative circular solutions and the latest developments in the field of efficient plastic recycling to you in Hall A6 at Stand 450. Discover the circular economy of tomorrow with us
We at Interzero stand for a future-oriented circular economy. As winners of the German Sustainability Award 2024, we will show you how your company can benefit from circular solutions both ecologically and economically. Find out on our event page which specific solutions you can get to know at our stand at IFAT. Get your free GoGreen day ticket now
Register with the keyword IFAT at marketing@interzero.at and receive a voucher code for a free day ticket, which automatically makes a climate protection contribution to offset the travel emissions.

Are you interested in a personal conversation? We are happy to help you!
>> Reply now and secure your appointment!