materialfluss: Both manufacturers and users in all industries are confronted with requirements regarding sustainability, resource conservation and climate protection. To what extent do material handling products from Forbo Siegling already meet these requirements?

Sascha Goly: At Forbo, we have long been aligning our global activities with all three dimensions of sustainability. Long-term profitability, social responsibility and environmental compatibility. With regard to the last point, our energy-saving Amp Miser 2.0 belts are particularly worthy of mention, as they can save up to 50 percent of the total drive energy due to a significantly reduced coefficient of friction between the underside of the belt and the sliding table. This is achieved by equipping the running side fabric with the patented Texglide: a sliding layer is created that acts permanently like a dry lubricant. This solution works even after many years of hard use. The end customer benefits from lower power consumption and lower_{CO2 emissions}. OEMs also benefit: They can use smaller motors, operate longer conveyor belts with just one drive or transport more products per belt.

mfl: How can you already verify the sustainability of these products or make it transparent?

Goly: Based on the calculations of our development department, we have programmed a web-based calculator. By entering a few key data, the potential savings in terms of energy consumption and_CO2 can be calculated directly. The result is non-binding, but gives an impressive indication of the possible savings. This is because the potential savings add up to considerable sums, especially for large systems. An exemplary model calculation for the baggage handling system of a major airport with 45 million passengers per year results in a savings potential of 540,000 euros per year.

mfl: Fabric-based conveyor and transport belts consist largely of plastics. To what extent do you meet the requirements of a circular economy here?

Goly: With the development of belts with tension member fabric made from recycled polyester, we have taken the first major step towards a circular economy. We have currently finished developing three products with the recycled fabrics, which will soon be tested in practice in the logistics systems of selected customers, including at a major European airport. This development will then be officially completed with product launches. We are also currently looking into the introduction of these recycled fabrics in many other products that we use in other business areas, such as paper, printing and raw materials.

mfl: The volume of goods distributed in distribution centers is growing rapidly - huge facilities are being built that consume a lot of material and energy. What adjustments is Forbo Siegling working on to make the material flow ecologically, economically and socially compatible?

Goly: We have already talked about our energy-saving Amp-Miser belts and their positive effects. In particular, the economic aspects of these products, the savings potential, quickly convince our customers. Other aspects that have an impact on cost-effectiveness are the durability of the belts, the fact that they are largely maintenance-free and our comprehensive range of services. For example, we have provided a large online retailer with a complete training program for its employees on site in the distribution centers. This enables them to identify weak points in system operation independently and at an early stage and, if necessary, to take corrective action before breakdowns occur.

mfl: What other sustainable products are available from Forbo?

Goly: There are many aspects to sustainability. It's about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations. This also includes Health & Safety. Our contribution to this important topic is the development of low-noise belt types - our two product lines Transilon and Transtex. Conveyor belts produce a sliding noise from the running side over the table, a tearing noise from the carrying side over the drum in the lower run and an impact noise from the fabric threads lying at right angles to the running direction against the drums. We carry out comparative noise measurements on different belt types in our acoustics room. We eliminate motor and ambient noise via encapsulation. This allows us to work on constructively reducing drum and bearing noise. For example, by developing special fabrics that further reduce noise on fabric-based belts.

The article appeared in materialfluss SPEKTRUM 2022 (7/22).