Simtek Switches Tool Packaging to Recycled PE and PP

Circular packaging strategy Simtek switches tool packaging to recycled materials

2026-05-21 Source: Simtek 4 min Reading Time

Related Vendors

Simtek has shifted large parts of its tool packaging from newly produced plastic to recycled PE and PP materials. The change now covers up to 80 percent of the product portfolio, reduces the use of virgin resources and moves the company closer to a circular packaging system without compromising transport protection or functionality.

Resource-efficient packaging: At tool manufacturer Simtek, the previously blue packaging is being replaced with gray recycled solutions that can be recycled multiple times.(Source: Simtek) — Resource-efficient packaging: At tool manufacturer Simtek, the previously blue packaging is being replaced with gray recycled solutions that can be recycled multiple times.
(Source: Simtek)

Tool manufacturer Simtek made a fundamental decision regarding its packaging strategy about two years ago: to move away from newly produced plastic and toward recycled materials. What initially sounds like a classic sustainability project turns out, upon closer inspection, to be a profound transformation of large parts of the packaging system. The switch to recycled materials now affects nearly 70 to 80 percent of the product portfolio.

This step was initiated by Bernd Ganter, Head of Logistics and Supply Chain at the precision tool manufacturer based in Mössingen, Germany. For him, the project was more than just an image campaign from the very beginning. “Our goal was to extend the life cycle of the packaging and thus significantly reduce our dependence on new plastic,” explains Ganter.

Gallery

Caption: Bernd Ganter, Head of Logistics and Supply Chain at Simtek: “Increased environmental awareness in the industry ensures that such changes are seen as necessary progress - without having to compromise on quality or functionality.” (Source: Simtek)

The recycled packaging fixes the tools in place precisely and prevents damage from impacts or movement during transport.(Source: Simtek)

In fact, the change is primarily visible only visually: the dark blue packaging previously used has been replaced by gray packaging due to the recycled material. This color scheme is not a design decision, but a direct consequence of the material. The recycled materials used are primarily based on polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) from household waste. Since the material is not sorted by color there, the result is a neutral gray. For Simtek, this represents a deliberate step away from brand-specific color identity — in favor of sustainability. “Gray is the new blue,” says Ganter, summing up the most visible change.

The customer feedback was overwhelmingly positive, even though the transition was deliberately carried out without extensive communication. “The increased awareness of environmental issues in the industry plays a key role in ensuring that such changes are regarded as necessary progress,” explains Ganter, “especially since we don’t have to make any compromises in terms of quality or functionality.”

The use of recycled materials extends the lifespan of the packaging, reduces the use of new resources, and brings it a decisive step closer to a closed-loop material cycle.

Gradually reaching 90 percent

The transition took place in stages. As existing inventory was exhausted, it was replaced with packaging made from recycled materials. The percentage varies depending on the product group. For toolholders and indexable inserts, it is now around 90 percent; for cutting inserts, it is currently about 50 percent. “This brings us significantly closer to our goal of a complete transition,” says the Head of Logistics with satisfaction.

The biggest challenges were not so much the appearance as the technical implementation. Carbide tools are sensitive to impact and pressure — so secure packaging is crucial to prevent damage during transport. The testing phase was correspondingly extensive: In live tests, tools were shipped under realistic conditions to identify potential weaknesses at an early stage.

Adjustable-length simturn DX carrier tools for internal machining: variable length adjustment and ME clamping system for maximum stability with minimal tool inventory. (Source: Simtek)

Material cycle closed

The results were clear: The test tools shipped showed no signs of damage whatsoever. This is largely due to the precise design of the packaging. The tools are secured in such a way that they are either firmly in place or have only minimal room to move. This reliably prevents collisions within the packaging. Damage to cutting edges or coatings is particularly critical — and this is precisely where the recycled material solution proved its worth. “Damage and material wear should only occur during the machining process, not during transport,” emphasizes Ganter.

The transition has also stabilized from an economic point of view. While initial costs were about 20 percent higher, prices have since largely aligned with those of the previous packaging. This eliminates a common objection to the use of more sustainable materials.

Another advantage lies in reusability. While earlier solutions could often only be thermally recycled, the new recycled packaging can be recycled up to seven times. A classic single-use product thus becomes part of a functioning material cycle.

This approach is supported by additional features: The labels used can be removed without leaving any residue, which facilitates single-material sorting and improves recycling quality. Furthermore, the packaging complies with relevant standards such as VDI 9001 and ISO 14001, thereby underscoring its industrial practicality.

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.

The motivation behind the project is not solely of a technical or economic nature. Bernd Ganter explains: “As a sailor, I have first-hand experience of the increasing pollution of the oceans with plastic waste over the years. These experiences have reinforced my decision to take active countermeasures by using less new plastic and keeping existing materials in circulation for as long as possible.”

At the same time, Simtek does not view the current solution as the end goal. Recycled materials are an important step in the right direction, but not the final answer to the plastic problem. This is because even recycled plastics can end up in the environment over the long term and contribute to microplastic pollution.

The long-term goal is therefore clearly defined: the transition to fully biodegradable materials that leave no harmful residues. “Such solutions are not yet established on an industrial basis, but we are monitoring developments very closely and actively seek out alternatives,” says Ganter.

(ID:50851917)