Packaging is a significant factor in the CO2 balance of many companies. KD Emballage’s new CO2 calculator provides customers with concrete data for their climate accounting.

At KD Emballage, they call themselves the "Packaging Guides." With a newly developed CO2 calculator, they help guide customers towards more environmentally friendly choices.

"The calculator documents the carbon footprint of packaging, giving our customers an informed foundation to choose from. With factual information, we can show alternatives and provide new perspectives on packaging," explains Sales Director Michael Lund. He is responsible for KD Emballage’s green business plan, which has been intensively worked on in recent years. They realized that large customers were increasingly requesting climate documentation.

"We saw that we needed to improve, as the green agenda is the ticket to play in the future. Instead of waiting for the perfect solution, we decided to embark on a process that led to selecting four global goals to guide our daily operations. We've measured our own CO2 footprint and initiated both small and large efforts internally. But what really makes an impact is that we’ve also developed the CO2 calculator, which can help reduce the climate footprint in many companies," says Michael Lund.

A Step Ahead

The CO2 calculator works like an advanced calculator. You input your choice of packaging, and it provides the CO2 footprint of production. It takes into account Scope 1, 2, and 3.

Material choices, transport, and storage are factored into the calculation, and the customer can also get a report that provides an overview for improving the packaging solution. For example, finding a plastic type with a lower footprint or planning to receive larger, fewer deliveries, reducing transportation costs.

"We don’t have an opinion on our customers' climate footprint because companies are in different places. But if they wish, the calculator can show how they can specifically reduce the CO2 footprint of their packaging solution," explains Michael Lund, who sees the new calculator as an important competitive edge for KD Emballage.

"Our purpose is to create value for our customers, and the environment is an important agenda. With the calculator, we are a step ahead, so we can both advise, inspire, and provide precise answers."

Future A- and B-teams

Some customers choose packaging with a lower CO2 footprint, even if the solution is more expensive. Others are not ready to take on the larger financial cost that it can be.

"Customers are very curious about exploring the possibilities, but the balance is tipping a bit. I think that as the requirements from large companies trickle down, businesses will start making different choices. In the future, there will be A- and B-teams, and companies will want to avoid ending up on the B-team. Therefore, they need to document that they are progressing with the numbers. For us, it’s important to tell them that we’re here for them. We can have green conversations now and take action when the customer is ready."

A Green Elephant – and Some Naivety

The green journey at KD Emballage has been carried out in close collaboration with Herning-Ikast Erhvervsråd and external advisors. The entire organization has been involved.

"Our goal from the start was to integrate the effort into our operations. So, we held internal meetings with the whole company. We gathered input from all employees about what they associate with green transition. Then, we created a working group to concretize the ideas. As a result, the calculator is linked to the ERP system, so the CO2 value of customers can be seen on order confirmations and invoices. When a product manager creates a new product, the CO2 is calculated," says Michael Lund, who also acknowledges the challenges faced along the way.

"In the beginning, there was healthy skepticism, and that's fine. The holes in the cheese need to be identified, and it's okay to ask questioning questions. On the other hand, we had to say, 'Let’s get started, even if we don’t have all the answers yet.' We sent a signal that it was okay to have some naivety; that we were taking a bite of the green elephant and would see where it led."

New Doors Opening

The calculator has taken time to develop, and in its first six months, it has been updated six times. But this is necessary, as it must be continuously developed and refined in collaboration with suppliers.

In return, it has already opened up new opportunities for KD Emballage.

"The calculator adds value for our customers, but it has also opened new doors for us. Suddenly, we are in conversation with more departments and employees at our customers' companies because we are seen as a green partner. We can approach customers strategically and help them with the transition. This way, we qualify for larger and more significant tasks," Michael Lund affirms.

Setting Goals for Packaging Footprint

With the CO2 calculator, customers can set goals to reduce their packaging footprint. The calculator considers Scope 1, 2, and 3, and the numbers can be used as documentation in the company’s overall climate accounting.

For example, work can be done with:

Find the CO2 calculator here:
https://www.kde.dk/co2-beregner

"I’m motivated by the fact that we were brave enough to dive into green development. It brings valuable interest, and we get opportunities that we wouldn't have had otherwise."
Sales Director Michael Lund, KD Emballage Guides

Artiklen er skrevet af Birgitte Iversen, RETNING