Mass balance approach
Orthex wants to give consumers the opportunity to choose more environmentally friendly products and has started using renewable raw materials produced by applying a so-called mass balance approach. Mass balance means that renewable materials are mixed with fossil materials in the raw material production process. This reduces the amount of fossil-based plastic in the world.
The mass balance approach is a calculation-based principle. By keeping track of the quantities throughout the entire production chain, the renewable raw material can be allocated to specific products. Orthex is ISCC PLUS certified, which means that the mass balance accounting follows predefined and transparent rules, and each of our mass balance products carries the ISCC logo.
We are using mass balance raw material in several product ranges: SmartStore Compact and SmartStore Compact Clear storage boxes, SmartStore Vision dry food keepers, SmartStore Snack and SmartStore Sustain lunch boxes, and GastroMax measuring cups. Each product has on average at least 20% of renewable content allocated to it, according to the mass balance approach. The use of partially renewable raw material reduces the carbon footprint of the products compared to conventional fossil-based plastic.
The renewable content comes from production side streams, so it does not compete with food or land use. The renewable content consists mainly of kitchen waste (used cooking oil).
More information on the mass balance approach on the ISCC website