PPG Launches Sigma EcoCollect to Boost Circular Packaging in the Netherlands

PPG Teams with Fire-Off to Advance Circular Packaging Solutions in the Netherlands

PPG Industries Inc., a leading Sigma Coatings brand, has entered a dual partnership with Dijkstra Plastics, a packaging manufacturer and waste logistics provider, and Fire-Off. The purpose of this partnership is to launch Sigma EcoCollect, a global step in the Netherlands that will allow skilled painters to collect metal and plastic packaging from other products and from Sigma Coatings for recycling.

The Sigma EcoCollect efforts will contribute to the PPG by helping them successfully maintain and extend their ambitious mindset to increase the volume of post-consumer recycled (PCR) metal and plastic content in their packaging process. The benefit is that the professional painters can parcel the scrapped empty packaging to over 90 Sigma Coatings points of sale. In the process, this empty packaging will be gathered and rebuilt into the new Sigma Coatings packaging. This will promote a closed-loop recycling system.

In September 2024, as the pilot projects were increasingly streaming, the initiative was seen as attentive to the conversations it provoked with customers about sustainability. This conversation led to the rapid acceleration of the return packaging. Following this successful pilot project, Sigma EcoCollect was set to expand to 61 Sigma Coatings Wholesalers and 32 PPG Sigma Service Centers (stores).

Alongside this, Dijkstra Plastics' monitoring of material processing and Fire-Off’s focus on logistics will enhance PPG’s extensive stores. This well-aligned partnership, with a mission of sustainable packaging, is a significant contribution to the vast packaging market. This initiative aligns with the PPG’s plans, which focus on the eco-friendly benefits of numerous architectural products and support customers’ sustainability ambitions.

The PPG brand manager, Architectural Coatings, B2B Sigma Coatings Benelux, Petra Bijma, said, “This program is a motivational and strong step towards circularity. It aligns with the PPG’s sustainability aim by accelerating the use of recycled materials and alleviating scope 3 emissions through reduced waste and packaging. Our valued customers are seeking new ways to mitigate the environmental impact of deadly plastics and metals. This initiative is beyond achieving the goal, as it also strengthens PPG’s leadership in robust, sustainable innovation.”

As observed, the current Sustainability Reports of the PPGs were progressive and impressive, given their near-term 2030 sustainability focus.