Sustainable e-methanol production agreement signed by LEGO Group, Novo Nordisk, and European Energy

Sustainable e-methanol production agreement signed by LEGO Group, Novo Nordisk, and European Energy

(IN BRIEF) The LEGO Group and Novo Nordisk have partnered with European Energy to use e-methanol, a lower-carbon alternative to conventional plastic, for some of their material production. European Energy will produce e-methanol from renewable energy and biogenic CO2, and the first batch is expected to be delivered in 2024. Novo Nordisk will use the e-methanol to produce medical devices like insulin pens, while the LEGO Group will explore its potential to manufacture selected elements in its portfolio. The partnership demonstrates the companies’ commitment to investing in sustainable technologies and reducing their carbon footprint.

(PRESS RELEASE) BILLUND, 20-Apr-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The LEGO Group, a Danish privately held toy production company founded in 1932, in collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S, a leading healthcare company, has entered into an agreement with European Energy A/S to introduce a more sustainable and lower-carbon method for plastic production. The partnership will enable the two Danish companies to replace some of their conventional plastic with e-methanol, a sustainable alternative produced by European Energy.

Under this agreement, European Energy will produce e-methanol by harnessing renewable energy and biogenic CO2. Novo Nordisk will use the e-methanol to produce medical devices, such as insulin pens, while the LEGO Group will explore its potential to manufacture selected elements in its portfolio.

The agreement demonstrates the commitment of both Novo Nordisk and the LEGO Group towards investing in sustainable technologies and reducing their carbon footprint. The e-methanol will be produced at European Energy’s e-methanol facilities in Kassø, Aabenraa, Denmark, and is expected to be available from 2024.

Through this partnership, the three companies will leverage their expertise and resources to develop a more sustainable future for plastic production. They will invest in technologies that support knowledge sharing and accelerate progress in the industry, ensuring a long-term sustainable solution for materials production.

CEO of European Energy Knud Erik Andersen sees big potential in the new partnership:

“The use of plastic is an integrated part of the modern world, not only in our daily lives but also in industrial processes and equipment. Novo Nordisk and the LEGO Group are already leading the way into the future in various ways, and now even more by joining this cooperation. This is relevant for all industries keen on transitioning away from fossil fuels.”

According to Dorethe Nielsen, Vice President of Corporate Environmental Strategy at Novo Nordisk, the agreement is an important step towards changing to non-fossil plastic:

“We wish to drive the decarbonisation of our business forward, and as a producer of plastic devices we wish to reduce the use of fossil plastics by engaging with suppliers in our value chain that can provide the necessary solutions such as e-methanol for plastic production. With our environmental strategy, Circular for Zero, we have set an ambition to have zero environmental impact, and innovation is a key driver to get there. Hopefully, this project can encourage more partners to get involved in the decarbonisation of plastic production.”

Nelleke van der Puil, Vice President of Materials at the LEGO Group, adds:

“We are proud to join forces with European Energy and Novo Nordisk to accelerate research and progress in the development of lower-carbon plastics. As part of our commitment to building a sustainable future for children, we have committed to making our products from more sustainable materials. The project will give us our third sustainable material we’ve developed alongside bio-PE and prototype bricks made from recycled PET. This agreement is an exciting step towards our ambition.”

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