Environment

Robberechts is a young and dynamic organization.  
We take into account the future and our environment.   
In order to avoid adverse effects to the environment as much as possible,
we always try to improve ourselves.

• Our people have had an “ecolizer” training from the Flemish government, to be able to analyze the influence of our production process on the environment, the raw materials, etc. This exercise was applied to our tambour door cabinets.

• All parts in plastic which we use are in thermoplastic ( melt when heated and thus can be recycled ).  At all parts the plastic is on the surface : PVC, PP ( polypropylene ), PA ( polyamide ), PS ( polystyrene ).

• For the majority of our products, steel is the main raw material, almost 100% of our desks and drawer elements and more than 90% of our tambour door cabinets.

• While constructing our new building, we have been heavily investing in sustainable development : the building has a high insulation factor of 0.45 K, which ensures that our factory hardly needs any heating, we work with daylight so that we can save on electricity, rainwater is recovered in a tank of 600 m3 behind the building and is being reused in a system for pretreatment.  The climate system in the offices is done primarily by air conditioning, the whole building is equipped with sprinklers.

• Description of the PV ( photovoltaic ) installation – investment of 3.000.000 euro
  Robberechts has a total roof surface of 37.000m² which was unused up till now. In the context of corporate responsibility, we decided to implement the Kyoto standards by partly generating our own energy.  With the installed capacity we are able to provide for 35% of our energy demand.  Onto the roof 4600 polycrystalline solar panels of 220 Wp (peak watts - maximum power) are installed. The panels are placed at an angle of 15° facing south.

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Supply of raw materials

• Products on the shortlist: steel and powder: both are 100% recyclable.
• The powder does not contain hazardous chemicals.
• 3% of our energy is green energy (in addition to the 35% of our own power supply).
   

Reduction of environmental impacts of the plant

• By working with spray robots in a new environment, we can reduce alterations of 5% down to 0.3%.

• All our powders are recyclable. The spraying process is a dry process, without the use of solvents. The unused powder is sucked back into circulation by means of a cyclone. There is no emission. Moreover, by this most modern method, the consumption of powder per painted square meter is sensitively lower in comparison with the coating method with liquid substances that contain solvents.

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Packaging and logistics of the furniture

• The assembly line is height adjustable, which provides a better ergonomic environment.

• In the spotwelding line, the cabinets are placed in a mold by a robot.

• We work with punching lines and automatic spot welding machines; this means that less manipulation and less handling is required, and in the mean time we create better ergonomic conditions for our employees.  After punching the parts, we check them using a photo system with dxf sheets. Any deviation between the photo and the sheet is shown onto the screen.

• All our forklifts are electrically powered and are recharged with high frequency chargers, resulting in reduced energy consumption by 40%.

Production waste management

All our waste is recycled and reused in the production chain.

• steel
• cardboard
• PVC
• oils
• wood
• powder
   

Employment

Because Robberechts wants to set an example as a diversified organization, our intention is to provide an environment where men and women have equal opportunities. 

Within the production organization Robberechts  supports a project at the request of Social and Employment in collaboration with a sheltered workshop in Turnhout.

End of life cycle  products

LCA Life Cycle : This analysis allows control over the entry and leaving of energy and raw materials in every stage of the life cycle. The LCA method is based on ISO 14044 which constitutes a reference framework for sustainable development.

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