Arteco ACT (Sustainability)
Our commitment towards climate action, smart use of resources and people and community care.
We want to do our part
At Arteco, we continually strive to enable progress. We invest significantly in research and development to find cooling solutions for future applications and to improve existing processes.
But true progress goes beyond technology. It is about the world we live in, the nature and the people around us.
At Arteco, we sincerely want to do our part, and prove that it can be done differently. We have a leadership position within our market and in that sense, we have the responsibility to realise change.
So we will ACT.
Accelerate Change Together
ACT reflects our commitment to work together for positive change and progress.
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We do our part
We want to change what we can change ourselves. -
We collaborate with others
Real change requires teamwork. We work together with others to accelerate change. -
We want to inspire others
We try to lead by example, and in that way, inspire others to act towards positive change.
Three key areas
Our ACT sustainability strategy focuses on three key areas
Climate action
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges that everyone faces. And for Arteco, it is a must to focus on climate action. For us, this translates into working on energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions.
Our goal is to achieve net zero emissions in our operations by 2030 and a net zero supply chain by 2050. Currently we are developing our action plan to turn these ambitions into reality.
Smart use of resources
Smart use of resources involves the raw materials we use to develop, produce and pack a coolant and extends up to the end-of-life of our coolant. We want to reduce our dependence on fossil raw materials, actively seek renewable and recycled raw materials and use them as efficiently as possible. In this context, we will also take a closer look at water, an important component in our coolants, especially given the increasing global focus on water sustainability.
Another important aspect of smart use of resources is circular solutions. We want to recover glycol raw materials from used coolants and keep them in circulation as long as possible. This means also we need to work on improving product recyclability and this from the beginning during the product development.
People and community care
True sustainability is also about making a meaningful impact for the planet and the people who call it home. We are committed to creating lasting positive change by caring for the people and communities.
We cultivate a diverse, inclusive environment that promotes personal development. Ensuring health and safety for all individuals who interact with us, our products or our services is a key consideration in our actions and decisions.
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our walls. We believe in contributing positively on the communities where we operate. By working closely with local partners and stakeholders, we help build stronger, more resilient communities and contribute to a better future for all.
Every change matters!
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
Our coolants’ Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) gives us valuable insights to understand our product’s environmental impact in every aspect of the value chain. These insights guide us in reducing our products' environmental footprint and thereby contribute to the sustainability goals of its users.
Mass Balance
Via Mass Balance approach we can move quickly to introduce renewable raw materials, in balance with traditional raw materials, according to availability. Thanks to our voluntary ISCC PLUS certification, this process is ensured of high standards and control. For more information, watch the video.
Sustainable packaging
We as Arteco, together with our partners, aim to enhance the sustainability of both our products and our packaging. Since October 2023, our white IBC’s leaving our Schoten plant have a reduced CO2 footprint thanks to the use of recycled High-Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) for the inner layer of the IBC-bottle. The recycled HDPE is used exclusively in the middle layer of modern, three-layer inner bottles. The inner and the outer layer are made of virgin HDPE, as in conventional variants. For the inner bottle, 30% of recycled material is used.
Recycling De-Icing Fluids Into Base Fluids
Arteco collaborates with Arom-dekor Kemi to recycle used de-icing fluids, transforming them into base fluids for coolant production using recycled monopropylene glycol (MPG). This partnership provides a more sustainable alternative to virgin MPG, reducing environmental impact, confirmed by comparative LCA-studies and encouraging others in the industry to embrace sustainable practices. Arom-dekor Kemi, part of the Vilokan Group, brings advanced recycling technology, which, combined with Arteco’s expertise in coolants, creates a valuable solution for the coolant industry across automotive, industrial, and electronics markets.
Sustainable Water Management
At Arteco’s main production facility in Schoten, Belgium, the plant has partnered with BOSAQ to implement more sustainable water management practices in coolant production. Using advanced technologies, local surface water is purified into demineralized water for use in coolant production, reducing the plant’s tap water consumption by at least 25,000 m³ annually. The custom-designed BOSAQ Q-Drop unit purifies this water through ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. With BOSAQ's Q-Drop unit, we are not only eliminating our dependence on the public drinking water network, but our production site is also switching to a locally managed alternative. This project aligns perfectly with our sustainability goals and underscores our commitment to impactful innovation.
Our partnership with WOTR in India
For several years now, we have been partnering with WOTR (Watershed Organisation Trust) on a water resource development and management initiative in the Sangamner block of the Ahmednagar District in India. We are proud to witness the positive impact this project is having on the local community. Women now have access to tap water for daily domestic use and 37 families have directly benefited from improvements in both agricultural and drinking water access. The introduction of new crops such as beans, onions and chickpeas has diversified local farming. Additionally, 32 farmers have adopted drip irrigation systems, enhancing water management practices. Perhaps most inspiring is how the once-scattered community has come together to collaboratively address their water-related challenges.
We collaborate with purpose
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Arteco has been actively engaged in the VOKA Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (VCDO – Voka Charter Duurzaam Ondernemen), a Belgian initiative that provides numerous benefits. This program not only advances sustainability by aligning with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but also offers customised action plans to enhance our sustainability efforts, along with expert guidance and insights from industry peers. This is just one of our many commitments to sustainable practices, as evidenced by our VOKA certification for 8 consecutive years and the recognition as an SDG Champion in 2022.
