Prevex focuses on plastic-free packaging and lead-free products
Water trap producer Prevex has for several years now had the most ambitious sustainability program in the water trap industry. Since 2022, the company’s water traps have been partly made of recycled plastic. With over 50% of the raw material in the products being recycled, Prevex’s focus is now on two other major changes: plastic-free packaging and lead-free products.
“Plastic packaging is widely considered one of the biggest environmental problems in Europe, as more than half of the plastic waste generated is from packaging”, explains CEO Marko Nylund regarding the reason behind the decision to switch to cardboard boxes and paper bags. Beginning in spring 2025, Prevex has the technical readiness for plastic-free packaging.
The other major effort on the sustainability agenda is lead-free products, which means that Prevex is phasing out brass from its products.
“Even if we have never used high amounts of metals, they still contain a small amount of lead which is highly toxic. We are therefore replacing lead parts with parts made of technical plastic. In addition to not being toxic, technical plastic also has a much lower carbon footprint. Furthermore, we can produce it in-house, which means even more reliable deliveries for our customers.”
Sustainability continues to be a very strong sales argument
According to Nylund, Prevex’ big investments into sustainable products has been a smart move business-wise.
“Sustainability has been and continues to be a very strong sales argument. Almost all new deals in the past two years have been partly due to our environmental work. I’m sure we would have been more affected by the recession in the European construction industry, if it weren’t for our pioneering sustainability work.”
Prevex follows the simple logic of maximising its sustainability impact with minimised cost impact, but the investments in sustainability have still been substantial for the company. Luckily Prevex’s owner KWH Group has a long-term perspective on business. KWH Group is a family-owned industrial company engaged in, among other things, abrasives and logistics.
“We want to be an active owner with a constant outlook on the future. When Prevex presented their vision for sustainability, we supported them right away”, says Kjell Antus, Group CEO.
