Sustainable production process

At COMPO, environmental and resource issues are taken into account at the various stages of development and manufacture. These include product development and testing, the selection and procurement of raw materials, as well as supply chains, the production process and packaging. A key focus is on the use of renewable and regionally available raw materials, the further development of material cycles and the use of recycled materials in packaging.

 

Research and Product Development
In-house research forms an important basis for the continuous development of the COMPO product portfolio. At the company’s own research centre in Münster, a multidisciplinary team investigates new raw materials, formulations and product recipes. The aim of this development work is to continuously improve the effectiveness, safety and user-friendliness of the products, whilst also taking relevant environmental aspects into account.
In addition to developing new formulations and recipes, the testing of new raw materials plays a key role. This is complemented by the relevant regulatory requirements and authorisation procedures. Before new products are launched on the market, they undergo both internal and external testing.

 

Selection and procurement of raw materials
When selecting and sourcing raw materials, COMPO takes various criteria into account. These include, amongst other things, the quality and suitability of the materials used, their availability and origin, as well as relevant procurement requirements.
Where technically and qualitatively suitable for the application in question, COMPO prioritises renewable and regionally available raw materials, as well as raw materials from circular processes. The aim is to identify suitable sources of raw materials for the respective product applications and to continuously optimise material usage.
For many years now, the COMPO range has included various organic product lines for different areas of application. These product ranges are continuously being developed further.

 

Production process and regional sourcing
The regional sourcing and processing of suitable raw materials can help to shorten transport distances within the supply chain. At the same time, regional supply structures support the management of raw material availability and the flow of goods.

 

Supply chain and distribution processes
COMPO adheres to established principles when collaborating with business partners. The Code of Conduct provides the framework for this and encompasses, amongst other things, integrity, fairness and respect, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, as well as requirements in the areas of employment, occupational health and safety, product safety and quality, and environmental protection.
Business relationships are conducted on this basis, in accordance with the applicable legal requirements and the principles set out in the Code of Conduct.

 

Packaging
COMPO’s packaging made from recycled materials utilises different material concepts depending on the product category and type of packaging. The range includes, amongst other things, plastic bags, bottles, buckets and folding cartons.
A key focus is on the use of recycled materials and other reprocessed materials. COMPO’s folding cartons are made from 100 per cent recycled paper. For buckets, the recycled content is 90 per cent. For packaging used for potting compost, up to 80 per cent recycled plastic is used, depending on the product line. Liquid fertiliser bottles contain over 90 per cent recycled material. According to the information provided, the plastic containers were developed in close collaboration with Der Grüne Punkt. The packaging concept was awarded the German Packaging Prize in the Sustainability category in 2018.
So-called post-consumer recycled material is used for some of the plastic packaging. This is plastic material that is collected after use, processed and then reused as raw material. This means that plastic material that has already been used can be reused for the production of packaging.
The use of such recycled materials reduces the need for newly produced plastic as a raw material for the packaging in question. The material is processed after use and reintroduced into the material cycle. COMPO is using this approach to further develop the use of recycled materials in its packaging