WAGO Splicing Connector with Levers – Green Range

The polycarbonate (PC) we use is certified according to the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification System (ISCC PLUS). ISCC PLUS is an internationally recognized certification scheme for the bioeconomy and circular economy covering feedstocks and products such as chemicals, plastics, packaging, textiles and renewable raw materials.

ISCC PLUS certification enables full traceability of materials throughout the supply chain. This is based on the mass balance approach (see “What Is Mass Balance?”). In our case, the mass balance approach ensures that 77% of the PC material used is attributed to bio-circular feedstocks. This means that 77% of the raw materials attributed to bio-circular feedstocks are used in the production of polycarbonate (PC). These feedstocks originate from industrial and household residues such as tall oil, used cooking oil and by-products from edible oil production.

In addition to the bio-circular polycarbonate (PC) used for the housings, we also use polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) derived from bio-circular sources for the levers of the 6 mm² splicing connectors and the inline splicing connector. This material is polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) derived from biogas.

Organic residues from agriculture, wastewater treatment and green waste are converted into biogas in specially designed fermentation facilities. From a chemical perspective, biogas is similar to natural gas, which, alongside petroleum, is used as a raw material for plastics. By using biogas, fossil resources can be conserved while creating certified, mass-balanced bio-circular PBT.

At least 27% of the virgin material is replaced by post-consumer PET bottles recovered from the waste stream. PET bottles classified as Ocean Bound Plastic or Land Source Plastic are often discarded into the environment, polluting waterways, coastlines, beaches and land areas, particularly in regions where recycling systems are limited or unavailable. To recover the polymers contained in PET bottles, the bottles are first collected, cleaned and shredded. They are then converted into PBT through a chemical upcycling process known as depolymerization, combined with solvents, petroleum-based molecular building blocks, glass fibres and flame-retardant additives. The result of this chemical upcycling process is a recycled PBT that provides the same technical properties and performance as conventional PBT.

Mass balance is one of the chain-of-custody options used within the ISCC PLUS certification framework. It enables full traceability of materials throughout the supply chain.

Bio-circular feedstocks are introduced together with fossil-based feedstocks at the beginning of the plastics manufacturing process. During production, both feedstocks are physically mixed. The mass balance approach enables a calculated allocation of bio-circular feedstocks to specific plastic materials.

Mass-balanced materials are therefore products for which bio-based feedstocks or intermediates have been used as raw materials, even though the biogenic carbon can no longer be physically identified in the finished product. The certified share of renewable feedstocks is allocated to specific products according to defined certification requirements.

Products are considered bio-circular when they are manufactured from recycled bio-based residual materials. Instead of using fossil-based oil and natural gas, these materials originate from organic residues such as used cooking oils, agricultural residues and green waste.

No. The Green Range products are technically identical to the established 221 Series Splicing Connectors and provide the same functionality, reliability and performance.

Yes. The 221 Series Green Range reduces CO2 emissions at the product level. The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) refers specifically to the manufacturing phase of the product. Information about product use, end-of-life treatment and other environmental aspects can be found in the relevant Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized and independently verified environmental product declaration. It is based on a scientific Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that evaluates the entire product life cycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing through use and disposal. EPDs comply with international standards such as EN 15804 and ISO 14025 and are recognized wherever these standards apply. An EPD enables transparent, comparable and verifiable environmental information. EPDs are commonly used in building design, public tenders and certification schemes such as DGNB, LEED and BREEAM.

By providing EPDs, WAGO offers transparent and reliable environmental information for selected products such as the Green Range. The data is standardized, externally verified and available through the product's Asset Administration Shell (AAS).

There is no technical difference. The Green Range products are technically identical to the standard 221 Series Splicing Connectors and the 221 Series Inline Splicing Connectors with Levers and carry the same certifications and approvals.

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important both socially and legislatively as the impacts of climate change become more visible. National and international climate targets help set the direction for climate action, while regulatory requirements are also becoming increasingly important. These include legislation such as the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act and the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting requirements. At the same time, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond regulatory obligations. We firmly believe that sustainable business practices are the foundation for long-term success and an essential element of corporate responsibility. This conviction is fully shared by our CEO, management team and shareholders. WAGO has been a participant in the United Nations Global Compact since 2012, joining thousands of companies worldwide that are committed to upholding universal sustainability principles. Since then, we have voluntarily reported on our progress and sustainability performance. To firmly embed sustainability throughout the organization, WAGO launched a comprehensive sustainability strategy process in 2021, including an extensive materiality assessment. As part of this process, we defined ambitious sustainability goals that continue to guide our actions and decisions today.

As a manufacturing company, we rely on resources and energy to produce and operate our products. We recognize that this makes us part of the challenge when addressing the demands of the future. That is why it is all the more important for us to be part of the solution and to take responsibility holistically, both as a company and as an employer. To achieve this, we have firmly embedded environmental and social sustainability into our corporate strategy. Every business decision is evaluated in alignment with our sustainability program, taking the entire value chain into account. For us, no contribution is too small and no effort is insignificant. Every step in the right direction counts. This mindset helps us empower and motivate our employees, while encouraging transparent communication about both successes and setbacks.