Saturday, October 4, 2025
SustainabilityHow heavy equipment giant saved big with Cortec’s plastic...

How heavy equipment giant saved big with Cortec’s plastic recycling program

-

How heavy equipment giant saved big with Cortec’s plastic recycling program

-

A major global maker of off-road equipment is an example of how savings, simplification, and sustainability can go hand in hand. For several years, this company participated in Cortec’s plastic recycling program, allowing it to streamline its engine parts packaging process and save significant money while reducing waste. This program’s financial and environmental benefits highlight the importance of collaboration for sustainability.

The manufacturer’s major engine facility receives a diverse array of parts – from engine blocks and heads to countless small components, sourced from dozens of suppliers across the US and internationally. All components are packaged in VpCI-126 bags that provide corrosion protection. However, a long-standing, yet outdated, practice once involved suppliers adding unnecessary oil to these bags during packaging.

This seemingly minor detail created a major inefficiency. The oil contaminated the VpCI-126 bags and their corrugated plastic liners, rendering them unusable for recycling or reuse and contributing to unnecessary waste. Recognizing this costly and unsustainable practice, Cortec Corporation, a global manufacturer of corrosion inhibitors, proposed a game-changing solution: eliminate the oil and implement a closed-loop recycling program. Cortec suggested the manufacturer return the used VpCI-126 bags to Cortec Advanced Films plant (CAF) for reprocessing. The manufacturer embraced this innovative approach, tasking a Six Sigma Black Belt to do a thorough evaluation. Validation testing conducted by Cortec Laboratories confirmed that the VpCI-126 bags provided the same corrosion protection without the added oil.

The manufacturer eliminated the oil application and invested in a baler to efficiently collect the used VpCI-126 bags. Cortec purchased the baled plastic at market rates and covered shipping costs to its CAF recycling center in Cambridge, Minnesota, where Cortec reprocessed these used VpCI-126 bags into new VpCI film products at a rate that could assure quality and performance. While establishing this recycling program presented its share of challenges, the commitment of both Cortec and the manufacturer to sustainability and efficiency brought this circular economy to a reality.

A triple win

Cost savings: By eliminating the unnecessary oil, the manufacturer realized annual savings of several hundred thousand dollars.

Improved health and safety: Reducing the presence of petroleum-based chemicals within the plant enhanced health and safety conditions and led to savings on liability insurance.

Waste reduction and revenue generation: The ability to reuse corrugated plastic liners and the revenue generated from selling used VpCI-126 bags to Cortec transformed waste into a valuable resource. The program was able to divert hundreds of thousands of pounds of plastic from the landfill or incinerator.

This successful partnership demonstrates the benefits of embracing a circular economy for plastics. At a time when plastic waste repurposing remains a global challenge, Cortec established a full-circle recycling program that benefited its own operations, its customers’ bottom line, and the environment, while creating a new supply of high-performance VpCI-126 film for superior corrosion protection.

NewsDesk
NewsDesk
The editorial team of The Packman who handle all the press releases with Sunil Jain working as the desk editor.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest news

Strong sales and innovation mark Rotocon’s debut at Labelexpo Europe 2025

Rotocon’s debut at Labelexpo Europe 2025 was marked by a dynamic presence, where live press and finishing demonstrations attracted...

Mondi helps Ozler Tarım cut food waste in long-haul shipment

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has partnered with Ozler Tarım, one of Turkiye’s leading fresh...

Berglandmilch pioneers SIG’s alu-free aseptic carton in Austria

Berglandmilch, Austria’s leading dairy company, is the first in Austria to choose SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier, the...

Siegwerk, Borouge, and TPN Food Packaging launch recyclable mono-material packaging solution

Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels; Borouge, a...
- Advertisement -spot_img

Sonipat’s Shree Jee Printers invests in new Komori

A complete house of printing, Sonipat (Haryana)-based Shree Jee Printers serves clients considerably in the publishing and packaging segments....

Morris Packaging and UFlex forge strategic partnership to deliver sustainable woven bag series

Morris Packaging and UFlex Packaging have announced a new partnership in the woven bag series that further strengthens their...

Must read

Siegwerk Italy to exhibit at Print4All 2025 in Milan

Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing...

Uflex’s Chemical Business highlights new inks and adhesives at IndiaPlast 2019

At IndiaPlast 2019, Uflex’s Chemical Business highlighted its innovations...

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you