In its stride towards environmental stewardship, Beiersdorf is starting its latest initiative aimed at diminishing CO2 emissions by incorporating at least 50% recycled aluminum in its deodorant cans across Europe. Coupled with an 11.6% less weight by material reduction, this move shows a notable pivot towards more eco-conscious packaging solutions in the ranks of Beiersdorf. The opening of a new production center in Leipzig-Seehausen, representing the company’s largest investment into facilities to date, underscores the commitment in meeting its sustainability goals for 2025.
Beiersdorf’s latest packaging initiative, which was introduced in late 2023, is set to optimize its deodorant aerosol cans by integrating at least 50% recycled aluminum, achieving a dual objective of reducing weight by 11.6% and thereby significantly lowering CO2e emissions. This advance towards waste and emission reduction is anchored by the inauguration of a technologically advanced production facility in Leipzig-Seehausen, with an investment of nearly 300 million euros, marking a historic milestone for the company.
The new Facility as a Production Milestone
The Leipzig plant, which took approximately two years to construct, is now operational, housing three active production lines with plans to expand. This facility is projected to manufacture up to 450 million cosmetic products annually, including deodorants, hairsprays, and shaving foams, catering to the European market and beyond from the first quarter of 2024.
The Claimed Environmental Impact
Trough its intervention into material usage and production optimization Beiersdorf anticipates:
- a reduction in CO2e emissions by about 58% within its value chain,
- which equates to an annual reduction of approximately 30 tons of CO2e
- and also represents a significant push for the company towards its sustainability goal “Care beyond Skin”, which aims to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 CO2 emissions by 30% by 2025.
The Strive for Industry Leadership
Isabell Niggemann, Global Procurement Manager Sustainable Packaging at Beiersdorf, emphasizes the company’s leadership aspiration in adopting recycled aluminum for aerosol cans and thereby expanding this “significantly more sustainable” packaging solution to its entire deodorant range.
Optimization with Impact
Effective solutions towards eco-conscious packaging are often a combination of “relatively small” optimizations in conjunction with new technologies. These solutions do not always immediately call for a material revolution in the traditional domain of use.
The scope of Beiersdorf’s initiative highlights the critical role that larger consumer goods corporations play in paving a way for sustainable practices. Such efforts are vital for these companies in meeting legislative requirements, responding to consumer demand for eco-friendly products, and ultimately achieving significant reductions in packaging waste and carbon emissions. As the cosmetic and OTC sectors continue to invest in green solutions, it becomes increasingly clear that often a combination of reduction strategies, circular economy principles, and material innovations are crucial for making an positive environmental impact.
