Hazardous substances out, alternatives in: Making our service more sustainable
Gerret Rickmers, purchaser for operating supplies in Service, has a clear mission: Replace products containing hazardous substances with safe and environmentally friendly alternatives. Why? So that our teams stay healthy, the environment is protected and we can still work efficiently.
Many chemical products used daily for maintenance and repair contain hazardous substances that can irritate the skin, respiratory tract or eyes, or pollute the environment with potentially harmful substances. However, finding a replacement is not always easy, as alternatives are often not equivalent in terms of effectiveness or processing. Gerret Rickmers, purchaser for operating resources in the service department at Jungheinrich, and his team in Kaltenkirchen are taking on this challenge: every year, at least three products are to be replaced with more sustainable alternatives.
Practical example: Industrial cleaner for machines and vehicle parts
A good example is our special cleaner for machine and vehicle parts, of which we use up to 100,000 cans worldwide every year. The highly effective degreaser is suitable for maintenance, repair and assembly work, such as cleaning brakes or lifting components. The previous version was neither exemplary in terms of health nor ecology – but even small optimisations make a noticeable difference.
These adjustments to the degreaser can make its use more sustainable and user-friendly:
- Increased volume: From 500 ml to 600 ml.
- Advantage: Less packaging per litre, saving around 15,000 cans per year.
- Improved label: The previous mixed paper and plastic label has been completely removed.
- Advantage: Direct printing on the can makes it more recyclable and reduces material consumption.
- Revised spray head: The new 360° spray head replaces the old ‘single spray head’.
- Advantage: Application is possible from any angle thanks to the up/down valve. This makes it easier to use and minimises product loss.
- Price advantage despite higher filling quantity: Despite 20% more content, the price per can has been reduced by 1.5%.
This example shows that more sustainable solutions do not have to be more expensive – as in this case, they can even be cheaper.
Complete conversions are also possible: in 2023, Gerrit replaced the Loctite 243 threadlocker with Loctite 2400 – a product without hazard pictograms and warning labels. Just as reliable, but safer for people and the environment.
Our approach: step by step
Not every product can be replaced immediately. But every improvement counts – whether it's a new formula, a better label or adapted packaging. In this way, we are actively contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
