Looking closely at packaging, the average consumer might struggle to get an idea of how it reached their hands, before the moment of purchase. Yet, understanding this journey isn’t rocket science. It involves a colossal, step-by-step effort: from the product’s design and selecting and importing the materials, to the factory workers’ final touches. It’s in the depths of this process that a product proves to be ecologically beneficial or downright harmful to our planet. The machinery used and the energy powering it also have an impact.
Biomass, from earth to earth
Energy is pivotal in all production processes, and no less at Hinojosa. Sustainable packaging solutions require real commitment before they can be referred to as such. Society is currently in the midst of an energy transition, a movement that demands companies participate with conviction. This transition requires changes that are both measurable and auditable to ensure progress. In essence, this involves a solid commitment to innovation and renewable energies as the primary sources of power, precisely what the climate crisis demands of us today.
Take Hinojosa Paper Sarrià as an example; for years, we’ve been dedicated to adding value to every by-product of our operations. Notably, the ash produced by our biomass boiler is repurposed for composting.
This dedication bore fruit in our 2022 Sustainability Report, where we announced that 63.7% of our energy consumption came from renewable sources, surpassing the 60% goal set in our Strategic Plan and representing an 11.3% increase from the previous year.
Our philosophy centres on relentless improvement and not merely settling for the status quo. A significant portion of these achievements can be attributed to the enhanced efficiency of the Sarrià paper mill’s biomass and biogas boilers, which generate the steam required for the recycled paper drying process. Other facilities, such as the biomass boiler at Cartonajes Bernabeu benefit from this approach. Everything counts and nothing is wasted. The Earth’s products are returned to it.
This is the essence of a circular economy. This concept has been at the core of our operations for over 75 years. In the case of sustainable packaging solutions offered by Hinojosa Packaging Group, paper embarks on a journey that mirrors the natural cycle, powered by energy bestowed by nature itself.
This principle also extends to our photovoltaic plant installations. Facilities in Córdoba, Guadalajara, Valladolid, Vegabaja, and Alquería, as well as Sarrià itself harness the sun’s energy. It’s a matter of efficiency: achieving optimal results in all activities with the least possible expenditure of resources.
Behind every piece of sustainable packaging lies a story and a process. But, most importantly, a commitment to ensuring our immediate surroundings contribute to making our planet a more habitable place for future generations.
