Innovation in Action: Bolton Adhesives' Journey to a Sustainable Future

As we work to improve our product portfolio, we aim to increase the circularity of our packaging and formulations, ensuring that the steps we take help to preserve the world for future generations.

" We see this journey as an opportunity to not only make a difference but to be a contributor in advancing the circular economy and making the best use of our limited resources," Indre Thiel, Sustainable Development Director UHU, Bolton Adhesives. "By aligning our practices with sustainability, we're not just innovating for our consumers but also for the environment, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of."

Circularity is part of this journey and our ongoing effort to reduce CO2 emissions, as a significant portion of our emissions stems from our purchased goods and services. A crucial milestone in this journey was already achieved over a decade ago when we began transitioning to thin-wall cartridges for a large part of our Adhesives portfolio. This shift saved around 80 tons of plastic annually, a significant achievement at the time. 

Looking forward, from 2024 onwards, we’re taking our commitment even further by increasing the use of recycled materials. This step will not only further reduce our reliance on virgin plastics but will also contribute to lower CO2 emissions from our packaging. For example, our Poly Max® products, delivered in a distinctive red cartridge, are now made from 50% post-consumer recycled plastic. Additionally, we have transitioned the black cartridges used in various products like Montagekit, Liquid Rubber, Grizzly Montage, and You Can Stick to being made with 95% post-consumer recycled plastic. Collectively, these changes result in a more than 35% reduction in virgin plastic use per year across our cartridge packaging.

These transformative changes wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our internal teams—Marketing, R&D, Procurement, and Supply Chain. Their collaboration with our cartridge supplier has been essential to ensuring that the recycled materials sourced meet the high-quality standards required for our products, while still maintaining their superior performance. As we continue down the path of decarbonization, we recognize the importance of communication and cooperation in driving this change. Transparency about our goals and achievements is key to building trust with our stakeholders, and it’s through collective effort that we can make a lasting impact.