Strong partners in sustainability
Supplier 3A Composites plays a valuable role in helping Antalis achieve its sustainability ambitions.
Supplier 3A Composites plays a valuable role in helping Antalis achieve its sustainability ambitions.
3A Composites, a main supplier for Antalis, didn't need any convincing as they're already well ahead of the pack.
A leading manufacturer of high-quality composite materials, lightweight foam boards and more, 3A Composites provides world-renowned visual-media solutions across the globe. Over the recent years, the company has accelerated its sustainable transformation.
For Benjamin Burkard, Chief Business Officer Display of 3A Composites, CSR is a passion that is both professional and personal. “Quite frankly, I want my children to be able to inhabit a liveable earth, swim in the water, and enjoy nature,” Burkard reflects. “We are the generation that will determine whether or not they can do that. We are the ones who can make the difference.”
Seven years ago, 3A Composites introduced DISPA® the company’s first printing substrate completely made of FSC-certified paper and thus 100% recyclable. More recently, they followed up with DISPA®outdoor, an optimal solution for short-term outdoor media.
Additionally, 3A Composites pride themselves with a local approach, which consists of sourcing, producing and selling as much as possible within the same region. They also created their own internal rating system to quantify and track their sustainable performance in a more objective manner – the FIVE-DOT-MISSION. And they recently bought a stake in Swedboard, a Sweden-based manufacturer renowned for its sustainable, high-performance paperboard solutions.
Although 3A Composites has already taken such critical action, the company has no plans on slowing down. According to Burkard, meaningful progress requires a long-term vision. “We’re not just looking for quick wins that are easy to sell to customers,” Burkard continues. “We’re also focused on longer-term investments that will yield benefits for years to come.”
Going forward, the company will continue to develop its eco-responsible product range, and they ultimately hope to achieve 100% recycled content for all their products. They also plan to work with independent auditors to ensure that their own supplier network is properly complying with their sustainability requirements.
Beyond the products they sell, 3A Composites is closely aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), spanning everything from child protection and gender equity to CO2 reduction. In fact, they recently made significant investments to develop more energy-efficient manufacturing sites and processes, which will include everything from solar panels to water preservation, and even special machines able to transfer and reuse the heat.
3A Composites and Antalis are both excited about the common direction in which they’re headed. “Antalis is one of the rare partners in the world truly engaged in sustainability,” Burkard concludes. “With our combined sustainable-driven business models, I feel that we are really on the same path, both in our portfolios and our strategies. Together, we can drive the transition and help our customers make the switch to more sustainable alternatives.”
