LEGO
Toymaker agrees renewable methanol deal to replace some fossil-based plastic / Groundbreaking on US complex
Danish toymaker Lego (Billund; www.lego.com) and compatriot healthcare company Novo Nordisk (Bagsværd; www.novonordisk.com) have entered into a partnership with renewables company European Energy (Søberg, Denmark; www.europeanenergy.com) that will enable them to replace some fossil-based plastics with lower-carbon alternatives.
Under the terms of the agreement, European Energy will produce methanol at its facility in Aabenraa, Denmark, from energy sourced from wind and solar plants, as well as biogenic CO2. The first batch of e-methanol is expected to be delivered in 2024.
Lego said it will explore the potential of using the e-methanol to make “selected elements” in its portfolio and expects to develop prototypes in the coming years, with a view to commercialisation in the longer term.
Novo Nordisk will use the renewable methanol in various medical devices, such as insulin pens.
Related: Lego builds Danish campus
“As part of our commitment to building a sustainable future for children, we have committed to making our products from more sustainable materials,” said Nelleke van der Puil, Lego’s vice president of materials. “The project will give us our third sustainable material we've developed alongside bio-PE and prototype bricks made from recycled PET. This agreement is an exciting step towards our ambition.”
Under the terms of the agreement, European Energy will produce methanol at its facility in Aabenraa, Denmark, from energy sourced from wind and solar plants, as well as biogenic CO2. The first batch of e-methanol is expected to be delivered in 2024.
Lego said it will explore the potential of using the e-methanol to make “selected elements” in its portfolio and expects to develop prototypes in the coming years, with a view to commercialisation in the longer term.
Novo Nordisk will use the renewable methanol in various medical devices, such as insulin pens.
Related: Lego builds Danish campus
“As part of our commitment to building a sustainable future for children, we have committed to making our products from more sustainable materials,” said Nelleke van der Puil, Lego’s vice president of materials. “The project will give us our third sustainable material we've developed alongside bio-PE and prototype bricks made from recycled PET. This agreement is an exciting step towards our ambition.”
Groundbreaking on US project
In separate news, Lego broke ground on its proposed new US-based factory in Chesterfield County, near Richmond, Virginia on 13 April 2023. Plans are for the USD 1 bn (EUR 950 mn) carbon-neutral complex to include 13 buildings offering moulding, processing and packing capabilities, along with office space and a warehouse.
Start-up of the packing facility is timed for the first half of 2024, with production scheduled to start in the second half of 2025.
Start-up of the packing facility is timed for the first half of 2024, with production scheduled to start in the second half of 2025.
 Projected design of the company’s facility in Virginia, USA (Image: Lego) |
Related: Lego expands in China and Vietnam
Lego’s Americas headquarters are currently in Enfield, Connecticut, but will move to Boston, Massachusetts in 2026. The toy group employs more than 3,000 people in the US, where it has more than 100 retail stores.
28.04.2023 Plasteurope.com [252651-0]
Published on 28.04.2023
German version of this article...