Tell me...
What are you doing?
The other day at the breakfast table, I am enjoying a wholegrain bread roll with my favourite peanut butter when my gaze falls on the lid of the screw-top jar. Inside it, a delicate blue sealing ring gleams – a tell-tale sign that the experts at PANO have had a hand in this. “Green begins with blue,” I think to myself spontaneously, as this slogan is closely associated in my mind with the family-owned company from Itzehoe, which has specialised in closure solutions for all kinds of jars for more than 100 years.
I continue to ponder: “Isn’t it the case that PANO is regarded in the food industry as something of a ‘hidden champion’ for sustainable food packaging? And if that is true, why is this third-generation family business not yet a partner of the Energy Coast?” I want to get to the bottom of this question and begin researching on the company website.
Sustainability as a corporate philosophy
I read that PANO not only consistently pursues sustainability in its climate protection efforts, but also places the common good and social values firmly at the centre of its activities. I also learn that over the past eleven years, 88 per cent of the company’s total investments, amounting to 31 million euros, have been channelled into sustainability projects. According to the company, this has enabled PANO to reduce its own CO₂ intensity by 83 per cent. “That is a strong signal in terms of climate protection,” I think to myself, and I want to find out more. On the company website, I find the contact details of PANO’s Sustainability Manager, Michael Janocha. I am certain he will be able to answer my questions. I pick up the phone, make the call – and I am in luck. Michael Janocha answers.
Instead of promising the impossible, we promise the BLUE RING.
A small ring with a big impact
“Good morning, Ms Voss, how can I help you?” Michael Janocha greets me after I introduce myself as the Marketing Manager of the Energy Coast. I explain my enquiry and immediately ask my first question: “Your website states: ‘Where there is a blue ring, there is sustainability inside.’ Could you explain that in a little more detail? At the Energy Coast, we are particularly keen to learn about sustainable innovations.” Michael Janocha laughs. “With pleasure! The ‘blue ring’ refers to our BLUESEAL cam-turn closure, which is free from PVC and plasticisers and which we manufacture in Germany using 100 per cent renewable energy. Because it contains no PVC, we are able to produce it in a fully energy-efficient way.” “Why is that?” I ask. Michael Janocha begins to explain: “While PVC-containing closures have to be dried in gas-heated drying ovens, this thermal drying step is not required for PVC-free seals. That process involves high energy consumption and polluted exhaust air. Since introducing BLUESEAL, we have been using significantly less energy in the production of our closures and have reduced CO₂ emissions substantially.” I am already impressed, but my enthusiasm continues to grow as I hear about the further sustainability milestones PANO has achieved.
Everything we do on a daily basis is shaped by the aim of using as few resources as possible.
Climate protection pioneers full of drive
In addition to closures for jars, PANO also produces metal tins, which the company prints and lacquers according to customer specifications. At first glance, this may not sound particularly environmentally friendly, but Michael Janocha is quick to dispel my quiet doubts: “In this area, too, sustainable production is our top priority. We have replaced our former metal printing machine, which also relied on thermal drying, with a sheet-metal printing machine using UV drying.” I learn that this innovation significantly reduces energy consumption and is environmentally friendly. My interview partner continues: “We also focus on energy efficiency when lacquering the metal sheets: we dry the sheets using a state-of-the-art Hi-Eco system that enables gas savings of 40 per cent. In addition, since 2023 we have been the world’s first field-test users to trial the use of hydrogen in the drying process of the lacquer oven. The second field trial is scheduled for spring 2026.”
By now, I am fully convinced: I am dealing with a company that not only supports the energy transition and climate protection in words, but backs them up with action across the board – and does so holistically across all stages of production. “There is just one more thing you should do now,” I say. “And what would that be?” Michael Janocha asks with interest. “You should become a partner of the Energy Coast and, as an ambassador for our network, demonstrate how climate protection and sustainability are truly put into practice here in the North!” Michael Janocha smiles and replies: “Working together for the energy transition and the protection of our climate is undoubtedly extremely important and worthwhile. I would certainly be very pleased to stay in touch with you and the Energy Coast!”
