A man with a beard in a light blue shirt stands in a modern office building. This is Dr. Bastian Sueveges, Head of the Sustainability Department, who is interviewed in the text.

DELO News

Human resources | Nov 24, 2023

The Challenge of Being Green

A key component of DELO's sustainability efforts is the foundational element of our adhesives: their raw materials. Our goal is to develop a range of environmentally friendly adhesives that stand out with their minimal carbon footprint. By carefully selecting raw materials and employing modern technologies like Activation on the Flow, we aim to reduce environmental impact in a way that benefits all stakeholders.

Sustainable vs. bio-based raw materials – what's the difference?

For us, sustainable materials are those that are resource-efficient, derived from renewable or recycled sources, and produced using a high share of renewable energy. In contrast, bio-based raw materials come from natural sources such as cashew shells, straw, or corn waste. These concepts are often conflated, and our customers too frequently don’t really know what they want. We strive to provide them with the best possible advice.
Dr. Bastian Süveges, Head of Raw Material Development
A man with a beard in a light blue shirt stands in a modern office building. This is Bastian Sueveges, Head of the Sustainability Department, who is interviewed in the text.

Dr. Bastian Sueveges, Head of "Raw Material Development"

What is DELO working on in the field of sustainable or bio-based adhesives?

Currently, we are in the research phase with large corporations as well as several startups to expand our knowledge on sustainable and bio-based raw materials. One of our partners is an analytics lab that uses the 14C method to determine if the carbon content in a material comes from fossil fuels or natural sources like trees. This analysis helps us assess the "biological" stake of the raw materials we use in our adhesives.

As part of our efforts for sustainable raw materials, we are conducting comprehensive life-cycle assessments (LCAs) for three of our adhesives. These evaluations help us determine the carbon footprint of individual products. Each production step is analyzed for energy usage, and improvements are made whenever possible.

When will sustainable or bio-based adhesives be available?

At DELO, we are already using raw materials based on bio-based substances (e.g., cashew shell oil). We are continuously striving to expand our portfolio of raw materials by testing new bio-based materials. However, there are currently only a few sustainable or bio-based raw materials on the market that we can test. Additionally, we are working on developing our own sustainable raw materials.

Another important aspect of our sustainability efforts is reusability. Some of our adhesives are already designed to be removable, allowing valuable resources to be reused. To further explore this potential, we conduct thorough feasibility studies and continually test new possibilities.

What other sustainability goals does DELO have?

DELO has committed to various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), carefully selected to measure and implement our sustainability efforts. We have already made significant progress in several areas, as illustrated by the following initiatives:

Sustainable consumption and production

  • DELO’s packaging consists of 80–100% recycled materials. Our specially developed shipping containers that do not require dry ice save over 1,700 tons of CO₂ annually, earning us the Responsible Care Award in 2021. We are continuously expanding CO₂-neutral transport options in collaboration with partners like World Courier.

  • In the area of cartridges, plastic end caps have been replaced with thin foil seals. We also conduct further feasibility studies for bio-based materials. CO₂-neutral solutions are employed in shipping, including recycled and stretchable films.

  • By using light-curing technologies instead of energy-intensive thermal curing processes, DELO and our customers save significant amounts of CO₂. Another technology, flow activation, allows DELO and customers to save up to 98% of CO₂ emissions compared to traditional methods.

Activation on the Flow

Activation on the Flow is a technology that enables adhesives to be processed efficiently and in an energy-saving manner. Instead of heating large batches of adhesive in energy-intensive ovens, the adhesive is continuously fed through a device that activates it. Only the necessary amount of adhesive is heated to the right temperature, significantly reducing energy consumption. Besides energy savings, the targeted heating of the adhesive allows precise control of physical properties and results in more consistent end-product quality. 

The DELO Activis-600 applies adhesive to a small black workpiece. The adhesive is colored magenta. The machine is equipped with an LED curing unit featuring purple lighting and flat ribbon cable connections.

Clean energy

  • Since 2023, DELO accounts for 30% of its electricity needs with self-generated solar energy. Since 2022, the company has been sourcing 100% green electricity and continuously compensates emissions from fossil fuels through environmental certificates from ClimatePartner.

Further climate protection measures

  • DELO aims for a generally economical use of energy, achieved through the use of energy-saving LED technology and "smart" sensors that operate lighting and ventilation in production and office areas only as needed.

  • In production, the use of cooling and process water is avoided. Instead, closed-loop cooling systems in closed circuits are used and for irrigation rainwater is collected in cisterns.

Sustainability by conviction

DELO has been participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) since 2022, ensuring transparency and accountability regarding our sustainability actions. This commitment enables us to track emissions across various scopes in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), an internationally recognized standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Our efforts underscore DELO's commitment to a sustainable future. We not only measure direct emissions but also take into account the indirect environmental impact of the entire supply chain. Moreover, DELO is making diverse efforts to achieve its sustainability and climate protection goals.

Discover exciting roles and become part of a team that values innovation and teamwork. Visit our job portal today and find your perfect fit at DELO!

About DELO as an employer

DELO is a medium-sized family business with a supportive work culture. We offer a variety of development opportunities and appealing career paths for both newcomers and seasoned professionals. At DELO, we value a pleasant work environment that fosters innovation and teamwork. Our flexible work setting accommodates individual needs, including flexible working hours and attractive additional benefits. Further insights into our values and expectations can be found in the FAQs and interviews on our website.

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