Groupe Roullier

25 2021 Non-Financial Reporting Statement Groupe Roullier 24 2021 Non-Financial Reporting Statement Groupe Roullier S trong , light and adaptable, plastic has proven to be a very good packaging material. Nevertheless, it has come to symbolise today’s throwaway society. Our Agriplas-Sotralentz Packaging subsidiary - which specialises in the design and manufacture of industrial plastic packaging - is working to incorporate more recycled plastic without compromising product quality. It is the first packaging manufacturer in France to install a machine for granulating post-consumer recycled plastic flakes at its Drulingen plant in France. This strategically important investment meets the regulatory requirements of customers and the commitments made by the industry globally, at European level and in France. For example, the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA) has given its commitment to incorporate 10 million tonnes of recycled material by 2025 in Europe, while the French National Pact on Plastic Packaging commits its signatory companies to incorporating an average of 30% recycled plastics by 2025, and sharing their progress with other signatory companies. Plastic is now seen as a bad thing by society, which is understandable, because all too often it ends up polluting the natural world. But in our industry, waste flows tend to be circular, with waste being recycled to create a new resource. Compared with new plastic, producing 1 tonne of recycled plastic saves 5 barrels of oil on average, and reduces CO 2 emissions by 1.6 tonnes equivalent. So the answer is yes, plastic can be a virtuous material when it is recycled. As an industrial company, we definitely need to intensify our commitment to producing more and more responsible packaging.“ Thibaud Durand , CEO at Agriplas-Sotralentz Packaging CAN PLASTIC REALLY BE SAID TO BE A ‘CLEAN’ MATERIAL? An ambitious R&D commitment to secure production and high-quality recycled material Agriplas-Sotralentz Packaging faces many challenges in terms of integrating recycled raw materials into its processes, including mechanical strength, chemical resistance, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and continuity of supply. To succeed in these and other challenges, the company is focusing all its teams (R&D, operations, standards and approvals, quality, purchasing, etc.) on identifying viable solutions for the short and long terms. Of all these recycling phase challenges, eliminating the VOCs and allergens present in the products originally contained in the packaging is a priority. In addition to their strong odour, VOCs are easily released into the atmosphere where they have direct and indirect negative impacts on all forms of life and the environment in general. So Agriplas-Sotralentz Packaging has opted for the most efficient solution, A new recycled plastic pelleting line Agriplas-Sotralentz Packaging specialises in high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a rigid plastic used for many applications, including engine oil and washing liquid containers. The HDPE recycling cycle begins with collecting used packaging from industrial users; the waste plastic is then shredded, processed to create plastic flakes and washed. These steps are all carried out by our partner suppliers in the recycling industry. This new pelleting machine gives Agriplas-Sotralentz Packaging control over the next phase: plastic flake extrusion. Extrusion is the process that recovers the recycled plastic and turns the flakes into pellets. In practice, it involves melting the plastic by heating it to a high temperature. The melted material is then recovered in the form of plastic rods, which are cut and cooled in water to form pellets. We then use these pellets as the secondary raw material to produce new packaging at all three of our production facilities. CASE STUDY AGRIPLAS-SOTRALENTZ PACKAGING SCALES UP THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY which involves optimised repelletisation (with degassing) and sterilisation. Used in combination with the regranulation line described above, this solution maximises pollutant removal, keeping operators and the environment safe, and delivering a very high-quality end product. The commitment and proactive efforts of the teams were rewarded in October 2021, when the company was a winner in the ORPLAST (Objectif Recyclage PLASTiques) call for plastic recycling projects launched by ADEME and the French Ministry for Ecological Transition as part of the France Relance national recovery plan. The grant will enable research to continue on increasing the amount of recycled plastic used in its product range, thereby accelerating the industry-wide transition to a circular economy. COMMITTED TOGETHER FOR THE PLANET COMMITTED TOGETHER FOR THE PLANET