Absortech breaks new sustainable ground

Press Release. Falkenberg, April 20, 2021.

The global leader in moisture damage prevention today announced a carbon neutral version of its flagship desiccant Absorpole®. It’s a big step to push the industry forward regarding sustainability, and in large part made possible by Absortech’s pioneering research and continuous investments in R&D to provide more sustainable and efficient industrial desiccants.

The original Absorpole has protected shipments for 25 years. The new version is made from post-consumer materials, but its sustainability profile reaches further. Absortech has optimised the freight from the supplier to reduce transport emissions, as well as producing it from energy with a low carbon footprint.

The new Absorpole features:

The desiccant’ climate impact is reduced by 60% thanks to the new features:

• The characteristic blue collector is now off-white and is made with 100% recycled plastic, a material with a lower carbon footprint than the previous PE plastic. The non-addition of ink to color the plastic eases the recycling process after usage and avoid adding any unnecessary chemicals.
• Grey part plastic is also made from recycled material, a material with 60% less CO₂ footprint than the regular PP plastic.

Although the new version of Absorpole differs in so many ways from its predecessor, it will keep the same outstanding absorption capacity and its strong and durable construction. The changes in the new Absorpole will be a relief for the environment. The latest version of this container desiccant is the first carbon-neutral alternative on the market for industrial moisture absorbers.

Climate Compensation

All unavoidable CO₂ emissions related to the production and sourcing of the new Absorpole have been calculated and compensated, an activity known as offsetting. Joakim Carlsson, COO at Absortech Group, explains the concept:

“Even if the Absorpole is now optimised to have a lower carbon footprint, some CO₂ is generated along the product journey. An independent research institute, the IVL Swedish Environmental Institute has calculated the exact carbon footprint of Absorpole so that we can compensate for every kilogram of CO₂ generated in the sourcing and manufacturing of the product, by supporting sustainable development projects which leads to CO₂ reduction”.

The projects that Absortech Group has chosen to support are “Climate+” Gold Standard projects. These are projects that deliver benefits for climate protection, local people, and ecosystems. Reforestation in Ethiopia is the first project that Absortech will support.

Introducing R-to-R: a reverse logistics solution

Absorpole is extremely easy to recycle and reuse, thanks to the way it is made. Absortech will leverage on this and offer customers the opportunity to become part of a circular, sustainable solution.

In Europe, Absortech will set up pick-up points where customers can send collected brine (the absorbed moisture) and the off-white collector. Consolidated shipments will be made from the pick-up points back to Absortech’s plant in Falkenberg, and quality approved collectors will be washed and reused to produce new Absorpole desiccants.

Absortech will compensate customers who take part in the R-to-R program by either crediting a percentage of the initial purchase cost or by investing the equal amount in a Gold Standard Project.

Otherwise, customers can separate the desiccant parts and recycled them.

Taking responsibility for the environment

“Awareness of the environmental impact of supply chain activities is increasing within all companies. Stakeholders, including consumers, are urging industries to become sustainable. 

We have embraced this culture and want to offer our customers a solution that helps them achieve their sustainability goals. Sustainability is a key area for Absortech going forward, with the upgraded Absorpole the first proof of our commitment. Adding to that, our R-to-R solution brings sustainability in shipping to a new level. Soon, we will communicate further news with bearing on sustainability”, says Rikard Kanmert, CEO of Absortech Group.

Absortech Group has chosen the path of sustainability for 2021 and onwards. The company, with an ISO 14001:2015-certified environmental management system, has committed to provide better and more efficient solutions to customers and minimizing the carbon footprint of their supply chain and logistic processes. The new Absorpole will help companies become more sustainable, reduce their overall CO₂ emissions, and protect the environment.

About Absortech:

Absortech helps you prevent moisture damages during transport. Our promise is to protect your brand, increase your savings and lower the environmental footprint of your logistics processes. Headquartered in Sweden, we are a pioneer in moisture damage prevention. Since 1996, we offer a wide range of in-house developed and produced desiccants made from calcium chloride. Peace of Moisture Mind® is our moisture damage prevention concept, which includes steps like audits, tests and global supply chain solutions. We are committed to base our operations on sustainable principles and help businesses like yours implement sustainable solutions to prevent moisture damages.

For further information about the new Absorpole please contact: Joakim Carlsson, COO Absortech Group, Joakim.carlsson@absortech.com