ABB and Stena Recycling collaborate to recycle wood waste into new furniture

• ABB Robotics and Stena Recycling launch innovative collaboration to recycle wood waste and contribute to a more sustainable offering
• By converting wood waste into new furniture, ABB Robotics helps increase material recycling rate from 36% to over 90% annually
• Collaboration focuses on recycling wood waste into new materials instead of energy recovery, offering greater environmental advantages

ABB has launched an innovative collaboration with Stena Recycling AB, to streamline and improve the recycling of its wood waste. Each year, ABB Robotics generates approximately 1,300 tons of wood waste in their factory in Västerås, Sweden. This waste primarily derives from pallets used in the transportation of robots and equipment. To manage this waste more sustainably, ABB Robotics is partnering with Stena Recycling to increase its material recycling rate and reduce its environmental impact.

"This collaboration with Stena Recycling is an important part of ABB's sustainability strategy, helping us to advance towards our sustainability goals, while reducing our environmental impact by increasing the rate of material recycling to promote a low-carbon society,” said Ingrid Sefastsson, Head of Sustainability for ABB Sweden. “Together, we are paving the way for a more sustainable future."

Stena Recycling collects the wood waste from ABB’s factories and transports it to their facility in Eskilstuna, where it is processed into wood chips using a wood chipping machine. Workers ensure the recycled wood is of high quality before transporting it to a leading Swedish furniture manufacturer. There, the recycled wood is utilized to produce particle boards for new furniture production.

Several other divisions and factories within ABB have joined this initiative. Stena Recycling is now collecting wood waste from several of ABB's factories in Sweden, further strengthening the company's commitment to sustainability.

The process involves recycling wood waste instead of recovering energy from it, which is more beneficial from an environmental perspective. The material is reused in a leading Swedish furniture manufacturer’s product, increasing resource utilization and reducing the need for new raw materials.

"Our collaboration is an excellent example of how we can work together to create a more circular economy," says Filip Lovemalm, Key Account Manager at Stena Recycling. "This is the first solution of its kind in Sweden and a significant step towards sustainable wood waste recycling. The recycled wood waste is used as raw material for new products, contributing to sustainable resource management."

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com

ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation as one of the world’s leading robotics and machine automation suppliers, is the only company with a comprehensive and integrated portfolio covering robots, Autonomous Mobile Robots and machine automation solutions, designed and orchestrated by our value-creating software. We help companies of all sizes and sectors - from automotive to electronics and logistics – to outperform by becoming more resilient, flexible and efficient. ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation supports customers in the transition towards the connected and collaborative factory of the future, operating leaner and cleaner for a better future. The business area employs approximately 11,000 people at over 100 locations in approximately 53 countries. go.abb/robotics 

Stena Recycling is Sweden's leading recycling company and a comprehensive partner for developing sustainable circular solutions in all types of businesses. With 1,900 dedicated employees and 90 facilities across the country, we create long-term solutions every day for both customers and society at large. By keeping resources in circulation, Stena Recycling plays an important and central role in the transition to a circular economy.