Category Archives: Environmental

New Electrolux Group study: Europe turns to 30° wash, driving down CO2 emissions

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35 million European households have made the switch to washing at 30°C since 2020. That’s just one of the highlights from our latest pan-European report ‘The Truth About Laundry 2023’ which focuses on resource efficiency, and in particular energy usage.The Truth About Laundry report 2021

To help people create more sustainable habits in laundry care, we need to understand current attitudes and behaviors when it comes to how people care for their clothes, and to what extent people consider the environment. In 2021, we commissioned our first The Truth About Laundry report to give us powerful insights to drive change.Read the report here https://admin.betterlivingprogram.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Electrolux_TheTruthAboutLaundry_TheReport-1.pdf

Microplastic Consortium

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Microplastic Consortium presents key findings to IEC toward a standardised measurement method
Today, world’s leading standardisation body International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) met in Tokyo to discuss the key findings of the joint study conducted by APPLiA-led Microplastic Consortium to assess the release of microplastic particles and fibres in household washing processes.

Brussels, 21 April 2023 – Today, world’s leading standardisation body International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) met in Tokyo to discuss the key findings of the joint study conducted by APPLiA-led Microplastic Consortium to assess the release of microplastic particles and fibres in household washing processes. This meeting marks a landmark step toward the development of a reliable, repeatable, and reproducible measurement method for household washing machines.

The Consortium on microplastics release during household washing processes which concluded its roughly 2-year-work in March 2023, brought together 21 signatories ranging from washing machines, detergent and filter manufacturers to test institutes and facilities, with an eye to establish basic elements towards a harmonised test method to measure the behaviour of washing machines and the release of microplastics during a real household washing cycle.

One of the main findings of the study was that intentionally added plastic particles and synthetic fibres to the washing machines only partially find their way to the drain. Analyses show a big variability of results even in a laboratory-controlled environment. While the study attempted to bridge the gap between lab and real life, the Consortium faced several challenges in developing a fully repeatable, reproducible, and consumer-relevant protocol. “There are still many parameters of influence and open points to be studied and analysed,” explained IEC Convenor and BSH Senior Expert Gundula Czyzewski addressing IEC technical experts. These include the problem of non-synthetic fibre fragments such as wool and cotton, the use of powder detergent and washing machine load amount among others, “that could possibly affect filter clogging and remain an open issue to a comprehensive analysis.” Therefore, from the measurements done in the Consortium, it was possible to only calculate a few individual performance factors, triggering the need for further investigation. In this sense, workshop participants convened that standardisation bodies are the right place to continue the discussion for the development of an accurate test procedure that could verify the performance of any solution.

Setting minimum performance requirements on microplastics filters without a repeatable and reproducible method would result in a non-verifiable, ineffective legislation. Concern about the potential impact of microplastics has gathered momentum during the past few years. The number of scientific investigations has increased, along with public interest and pressure on stakeholders. “Understanding the magnitude of the issue is key to ensuring an effective solution,” said APPLiA Energy & Environment Policy Manager Giulia Zilla, who was responsible for the coordination of the Consortium activities on behalf of the Association, and contributed to the draft of the final report. The issue of microplastic pollution has escalated the EU political agenda to translate into a number of different regulations currently being discussed at national and international level. There, the study plays a key role in substantiating the need for the adoption of “a lifecycle-based approach to identify the most cost-effective solution to a global issue.” In this sense, the deployment of washing machine filters into European homes has been identified by some countries as a possible mitigation strategy to microfiber emissions. “While filters can contribute to halting the journey of microplastics before they reach the environment, a more comprehensive and long-term solution, reconsidering the very use of plastics, is needed,” commented Zilla. Mandating the equipping of all household washing machines with a filter does not seem to represent a conclusive solution to tackle the microplastics issue, as fibres will always find their way into the environment, if present in textile products themselves. Before setting any legislative requirements on washing machines, a number of technical considerations must be addressed. Among others, the filter can cause clogging of the machine but what is more, the burden of maintenance to keep the machine running would fall on consumers, from cleaning to replacement and disposal, in order to prevent the rinsing off of fibres in the sink. Even in the case of integrated filters, it would be very problematic to deal with the maintenance of the filter itself while ensuring the best performance of the machine. Research is currently ongoing to evaluate the benefits of EU-wide legislation. A proposal is expected later this year.

While it is difficult to estimate a timeline by when a measurement method could be available to use for the verification of the requirements, the role of policymakers remains crucial to follow standardisation activities and set measurable targets in the law. As a next step, the joint study conducted by the Consortium will be reviewed in detail by IEC and used as a starting point to the development of a standardised measurement methodology.

World’s first fridge with 70% recycled plastic inner liners

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The Electrolux Group has developed a new line of built-in refrigerators – the Electrolux 500-900 Series and AEG 5000-9000 Series – that we’re currently launching in Europe. The recent launches have inner liners made from 70% recycled plastic, which equates to 13% of the total plastic used in the refrigerator. We are the first in the world to incorporate this much recycled plastic into a refrigerator so it’s an important industry breakthrough.

The plastic is sourced from a specialty supplier that collects and refines plastic from discarded refrigerators in Europe. It is very important that we work with strong and reliable partners that can provide access to high-quality recycled materials.

The range has been well received at fairs such as IFA in Berlin as the industry sees the product as being concrete proof that we take sustainability seriously.

How have consumers responded to the inner liners made from recycled plastic?

Consumers have responded very positively to the inner liners, and they perceive the gray shade of plastic as being more premium than standard white liners. They favor products made from recycled materials and our research has shown they want this kind of refrigerator with recycled materials.

How do our built-in fridges help retain nutrients and avoid food waste?

The recent launches have an innovative GreenZone crisper drawer to keep fruit and vegetables fresh. They are offered in two versions – one with a manual vent that consumers can open or close depending on how full the drawer is and an automatic version. The automatic crisper has a membrane that allows ingredients to breathe by regulating and optimizing humidity.

Third-party studies have shown that our GreenZone crisper drawer can retain 95% of the vitamin C in blueberries after 11 days. None of our competitors use this kind of innovative membrane so it is a clear competitive advantage for us.

The recent launches also use innovative cooling technology that keeps the temperature stable to help ingredients last longer. One of the solutions is Cooling 360, which maintains a more stable temperature distribution, to preserve food for longer by avoiding temperature shocks and stress on food. Our TwinTech® No Frost also keeps food hydrated with independent cooling systems for the fridge and the freezer parts.

What do customers think about these enhanced abilities to help preserve ingredients?

Consumers immediately understand the value to them – not only in terms of retaining the vitamins in their ingredients for their health, but also making ingredients last longer and ultimately helping them to avoid food waste. Importantly, consumers really value the third-party verified fact-based claims we make. At Electrolux Group we’re committed to help consumers live better, more sustainable lives in the home and this refrigerator line reflects that.

Consumers have shown increased interest in healthy eating, particularly since the pandemic, and we go beyond the standard refrigerator offering by helping them to maintain the vitamin content and quality of the food they eat. Also, people are becoming increasingly conscious of food waste and the materials that are used to manufacture their products.

Will they be launched in other markets in 2023?

Yes, as well as continuing to roll out these innovations across Europe in 2023, they are looking at launching in other regions, such as Asia Pacific, in the coming years. Watch this space

Electrolux Posts Q1 Loss, Sales Rise, Backs View; Stock Up

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Swedish home appliance major Electrolux AB reported Friday a loss in its first quarter with weak volumes hurt by lower demand. Net sales, however, was higher than last year, and the company maintained its fiscal 2023 forecast. In Stockholm, Electrolux shares were gaining around 9 percent.

President and CEO Jonas Samuelson said, “Our number one priority for 2023 is a successful implementation of the Group-wide cost reduction and North America turnaround program…. The actions and performance in the first quarter are fully aligned with our 2023 full-year cost reduction plan. …Sustainability is at the core of our strategy and I am proud that we reached both of our 2025 science-based targets three years ahead of plan. The business and market outlooks for 2023 full year provided in the fourth quarter 2022 earnings report remain unchanged The company previously said the consumer sentiment in the new year is anticipated to continue to be negatively impacted by a high inflation and interest rate environment, although with regional differences.

Demand for core appliances in 2023 full-year is still expected to be negative for all regions except for the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, which is assessed to be flat compared to 2022.

Based on this, volumes in 2023 are expected to decline year-over-year.

Over the mid-term, the company still projects to reach Group operating margin of at least 6 percent, both for the Group and for business area North America.

According to the firm, a key component is the estimated earnings contribution of above 7 billion kronor in 2024 compared to 2022 from the cost reduction program, whereof 4 billion kronor to 5 billion kronor is expected in 2023. The company also recorded commercial growth in all four business areasElectrolux further said it aims to increase aftermarket sales to approximately 10 percent of Group sales by 2025, from around 7 percent in 2022.

For the first quarter, loss was 588 million Swedish kronor, compared to last year’s profit of 950 million kronor. Loss per share were 2.18 kronor, compared to profit of 3.40 kronor a year ago.

Operating loss amounted to 256 million kronor, compared to profit of 1.58 billion kronor last year.

Adjusted operating income was 305 million kronor, compared to prior year’s 919 million kronor. Adjusted operating margin was 0.9 percent, compared to 3.1 percent a year ago.

The year-over-year decline in underlying operating income was mainly a result of lower volumesNet sales increased 9 percent to 32.73 billion kronor from 30.12 billion kronor last year. Organic sales growth was 2.2 percent. Price remained solid, while weaker market demand resulted in lower volumes for the Group as a whole.Stockholm, Electrolux shares were trading at 146 kronor, up 9.12 percent.

LG Named Most Sustainable Home Appliance Brand

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LG Electronics has been named the industry’s most sustainable home appliance brand in the just-published 2023 Green Builder Sustainable Brand Index.

The ranking is based on the weighted average of three factors: survey data used to gauge builders’ perception of a company’s sustainability efforts, data that tracks the number of positive brand mentions by consumers who have used or have heard about a product, and sentiment that tracks how favorably consumers view a particular company.LG topped all three survey components – and is the only company among any category winners to do that – largely due to its ever-advancing and continually popular Signature Kitchen Suite brand and consistent emphasis on energy efficiency and performance.”

This top ranking follows the announcement that LG earned two coveted 2023 Green Builder Sustainable Products of the Year distinctions,“recognizing innovations that go above and beyond in manufacturing and encourage sustainability through innovative technology or an improved version of a traditional technique.” The LG Multi F MAX with LGRED° multi-zone heat pump HVAC system and LG STUDIO induction cooktop with a flex cooking zone were singled out as Sustainable Products of the Year in the HVAC and appliance categories, respectivelyNamed 2023 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, LG helps consumers take climate action in impactful ways. For example, ENERGY STAR certified LG clothes washers and dishwashers purchased by American consumers in the past year are expected to save more than 35 billion gallons of water over their product life, enough to fill 53,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.“ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2022” LG refrigerators, washers, dryers, room air conditioners and computer monitors are expected to save more than 482 million pounds of CO2 over the life of these products.

Haier SmartHome resuy

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Haier SmartHome released its annual report for 2022 fiscal year, reporting growth of 7.2% year-on-year, with sales revenue of 32.6 billion €.
Despite challenging market environment, Haier Smart Home’s overseas business continue to grow, recording a 10.3% increase in turnover compared to last year.

In the European market, we continued to be the fastest growing Company, recording a double-digit revenue growth of approximately 20% year-over-year, achieving sales of 3.2 billion €.

These strong performance results are even more relevant because they have been achieved in a more complex market than expected caused by high inflation and slowing consumer demand.

Whirlpool inaugurates the new Europe headquarters

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The new headquarters measure 7 thousand square meters and accommodate 400 peopleThe new headquarters of Whirlpool Corporation was inaugurated in Milan on April 20th . At the center of an area in strong development such as the Certosa district, the building (totally Carbon free) is spread over more than 7 thousand square meters, distributed over two floors, for over 400 people and more than 100 different nationalities.The great novelty of the headquarters is represented by the new World of Whirlpool: a real journey through design innovations and latest generation technologies. 500 m2 dedicated to the group’s major European brands and their various narratives, in a journey through the company’s most innovative products.

Whirlpool EMEA CEO Giles Morel inaugurates the company’s Milan headquarters. At his side Giulia Pelucchi, President of the Municipality 8 of Milan and Stefano Sirolli, CEO of the real estate developer Real Step.

Hisense Prioritises Sustainable Growth to Build a Greener Future

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Earth Day’s purpose is to engage people, institutions, and businesses to recognize their responsibility to accelerate the transition to an equitable, prosperous green economy for all. Hisense, a leading global home appliance and consumer electronics brand, has always viewed sustainable business practices as one of its top priorities, and is committed to achieving, and helping bring about lower energy consumption, and environmental sustainability.

The global consumer electronics giant, best known for its TV, Laser TV and white goods, has recently taken an array of steps to reduce its own impact on the planet, ensuring its manufacturing, supply chain and the products it produces are more efficient and sustainable.

With self-developed technologies, like its self-adaptive backlight control algorithm, digitalized power control algorithm, high-voltage LED light and drive technology, Hisense has managed to reduce energy consumption of each TV by 25%. Moreover, in amending the design of its televisions, the company has reduced the amount of plastic that is required to dissipate heat, saving 4,626 tons of plastic per-year, the equivalent of 514million plastic bags.

Hisense’s refrigeration category has solicited praise from the United Nations Development Program for its use of foaming technology to improve the efficiency of its fridges; a development which is believed to have saved nearly 6,000 tons of carbon emissions.

The company is also improving the footprint of its factories, increasing solar power generation in the plants it operates. It expects the total installed capacity to reach 60MW by the end of 2023, and the annual power generation capacity will reach 53 million kWh. The proportion of solar power generation in Hisense’s total electricity consumption is now at more than 10%.

Hisense is also keen to bring about a more sustainable world beyond its own operations, and to mark Earth Day it has launched a new tree planting initiative to promote the importance of safeguarding the environment.

To find out more about Hisense’s commitment to take us Towards a Greener Future, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcqzEepU98g

About Hisense:

Hisense is a leading global home appliance and consumer electronics brand. Hisense’s business covers multimedia products (with a focus on Smart TVs), home appliances, and IT intelligent informatio

Electrolux Delivering sustainable business strategy

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Jonas Samuelson, Electrolux Group CEO, and Vanessa Butani, VP Group Sustainability, talk about achieving the Electrolux Group science-based climate target three years ahead of schedule, and how the company managed challenges in 2022 to continue work toward its For the Better 2030 goals. This interview is published in the Electrolux Group Sustainability Report 2022. https://www.electroluxgroup.com/en/delivering-on-our-sustainable-business-strategy-35311/