Ecover
Line
- Jorgen Philip Sørensen ( CBE)
- Mick Bremans (CEO)
The Ecover Group is a Belgian company with headquarters in Malle, the developed ecological washing and cleaning products, manufactures and distributes in 26 countries. Ecover was one of the first company to manufacture phosphate-free detergents in the 1980s, and is today the European leader in ecological washing and cleaning products. For Ecover group includes, among other things hero, the Swiss market leader in washing and cleaning agents, and the Austrian natural cosmetics brand Wellments.
History
Ecover was founded in 1980 by an unemployed soap representatives Frans Bogaerts, the reports on the dangers of phosphates for water applied to the idea of producing self- phosphate-free detergent. The company grew steadily in the 80s and sold its products in Europe, especially on small health food stores. With the growing interest in green issues early 90s Ecover got the opportunity to sell its products in England over the supermarket chains Sainsbury's and Asda. The capacity of the company, however, were not sufficient to meet the increased demand. Bogaerts planned to build a planned according to ecological factory, however, this could not be financed and sold the factory to his son first and then to the Danish Jørgen Philip Sørensen investor.
The opened in 1992 in Malle production facility was built entirely from renewable or recycled materials for thermal insulation and has a green roof of 5300 square meters. For the building also has its own water treatment plant. In a heating or air conditioning system has been omitted.
After completion of the factory Sainsbury's and Asda had indeed brought its own ecological detergents on the market, nevertheless succeeded Ecover further establishing itself. In order to strengthen the position in the market, the Swiss hero AG was taken over in 2003, which was at that time in Switzerland 's leading manufacturer of ecological cleaning and washing and worked with similar raw materials such as Ecover. In addition, Ecover In 2005, the Austrian cosmetics manufacturer Wellments.
In addition to the factory in Malle and a hero associated factory in Steffisburg Ecover opened in 2006 a factory in Boulogne -sur -Mer, which was also built under ecological aspects. When planning the factory also, care was taken to move within the standards of the ISO 14001
In 2009, Ecover employed 155 people at its various locations. In the laboratory, in Malle, nine members of the quality control and new product development focus. In addition, Ecover works together with universities in Aachen, Stuttgart, Brunswick, Nottingham, Vienna and Ghent. This collaboration resulted in a held Ecover patent for the production of surfactants from natural materials such as rapeseed oil or coconut oil. Furthermore, Ecover is cooperating with the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy.
Products
In addition to detergent, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent and cleaning agent develops and sells Ecover also cosmetics and compost bags. All products are made from natural materials and are phosphate-and chlorine-free. All packaging materials are recyclable. To avoid the waste polyethylene bottles used are refillable ..
Social commitment and sponsoring
In collaboration with WaterAid promotes Ecover projects to improve water supply and sanitation in Ethiopia.
In sailing Ecover was active as a sponsor. They supported the British skipper Mike Golding, who participates with his boat Ecover in ocean races such as the 5 Oceans Race.