The "Industrie- und Handelskammer Aachen" was the first Chamber of Industry and Commerce in North Rhine-Westphalia to award a sustainability prize. An expert jury consisting of representatives from regional politics and administration as well as the "Industrie- und Handelskammer Aachen" and the "Handwerkskammer Aachen" selected what they considered to be the three best sustainability projects from all the entries.

The winners were the Luisenhospital Aachen, PAPSTAR Solutions GmbH from Kall and Pro Pet Koller GmbH & Co. KG from Kall. In addition, a public prize was awarded, which was determined by online voting. This was won by Walbert-Schmitz GmbH & Co. KG from Aachen. The four winners were presented with specially made trophies from sustainable raw materials from the region at the IHK Aachen. 

With disposable products made from renewable raw materials, PAPSTAR Solutions GmbH is fundamentally in a challenging market in terms of sustainability. According to the jury, it is all the more remarkable that the company defines sustainability as an important corporate goal with its "Zero Waste" project (www.papstar.com/solutions/zero-waste). This is an "exemplary concept for avoiding waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Great willingness and packer mentality

Patron Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Deputy Minister President, emphasized: "Whether it's the circular economy, climate-friendly mobility or energy efficiency: the Sustainability Award of the Aachen Chamber of Industry and Commerce shows the great willingness to get involved in sustainable ideas and develop innovative solutions. It is precisely this willingness and commitment that we need in order to successfully shape the transformation to a climate-neutral industrial region in North Rhine-Westphalia. I congratulate all the award winners and thank them for their valuable commitment to a climate-friendly future."

A total of 32 projects were submitted by companies of various sectors and sizes from the entire IHK district - comprising the Aachen city region and the districts of Düren, Euskirchen and Heinsberg. "A big thank you to all the companies that responded to our call to apply with their project," says IHK President Gisela Kohl-Vogel: "With the Sustainability Award, we want to motivate other companies to also set out on the path of sustainable business. In this way, the topic can become a competitive advantage for our region." 

The jury for the IHK Aachen's first Sustainability Award included: Gisela Kohl-Vogel (President of the Aachen Chamber of Industry and Commerce), Michael F. Bayer (Chief Executive Officer of the Aachen Chamber of Industry and Commerce), Mayor Sibylle Keupen (City of Aachen), Städteregionsrat Dr. Tim Grüttemeier (StädteRegion Aachen), District Administrator Markus Ramers (Kreis Euskirchen) and Sven Pennings (Managing Director AGIT Aachener Gesellschaft für Innovation und Technologietransfer mbH).

More informations: www.papstar-storyteller.de/ihk-nachhaltigkeitspreis

Voices

District Administrator Markus Ramers (Euskirchen District): "What a successful and successful evening at the IHK Aachen - for the first time, the IHK has awarded a sustainability prize to companies from the region. And with PAPSTAR Solutions GmbH and Pro Pet Koller GmbH & Co. KG, two prize winners come from the Euskirchen district. Congratulations! The two companies have radically questioned their respective business models and proven that there are sustainable solutions for both disposable tableware and pet food. This is also encouraging for other industries and companies. As district administrator, I am very proud that we have such innovative companies in the district. It shows how the guiding principle of sustainable business is being lived more and more. We want to continue to promote this with the Kreis Euskirchen Economic Development Agency!"

Iris Poth (Head of Staff Office for Structural and Economic Development Kreis Euskirchen): "Quite a great performance! It was a great pleasure for me to be able to congratulate you personally directly this morning on the occasion of our entrepreneur breakfast at the PAPSTAR company (September 20, 2023, editor's note). They are truly figureheads of our target vision 'Sustainable Business Location'."