Sustainability practices: Interview with Jörg Hüls (EGGER Holzwerkstoffe Wismar GmbH & Co. KG)

Jörg Hüls
Manager PM Building & Flooring at EGGER Holzwerkstoffe Wismar GmbH & Co. KG

Jörg Hüls is an environmental engineer specialised in waste and recycling technology. Since 2000, he has been working for EGGER, first as Plant Manager Sales Flooring (from 2005 to 2008), and then as Head of Product Management Flooring (since May 2008). Since May 2023, he is the Manager PM Building & Flooring.

EPLF: What sustainable (or recycling or take-back) practices has your company recently implemented in the production of laminate flooring? 

Since the start of our production at the Wismar site (Germany) in 1999, we have mainly used sawmill residues from the neighboring timber industry for our products. All the wood we use comes from sustainably managed forests and is certified accordingly.
In recent years, technological process adjustments (milling and processing) have enabled us to integrate new residual wood components, such as cross-cut timber, into our manufacturing process.

EPLF: Are you able to measure the impact of these practices?

Yes, we can show the additional use of as cross-cut timber from the neighboring timber industry in our balance sheets. This has enabled us to continuously reduce the use of "fresh wood" in HDF/MDF production to a minimum over the past calendar years.

EPLF: Do you have any other plans for the future?

The EGGER Group has set itself a net-zero target for the year 2050. To achieve this goal, we will intensify our efforts over the next few years, particularly in the area of Scope 1 - direct emission at the factory - and Scope 2 - indirect emissions. 
For our production site, this means continuing to work on reducing CO2 emissions. New production technologies, clever and sustainable product developments and the involvement of relevant partners along the entire value chain will help us to achieve this.

For more information about EGGER, please visit www.egger.com.