Customer case Spruyt hillen

♻️ De Budelse and sustainability: a successful one-two punch

Sustainability is high on the social agenda. A growing number of companies are introducing more nuance to this important theme. De Budelse also aims to take into account the environment and future generations. Sustainability is therefore not only firmly embedded in our business processes. We also have an eye for people and the environment when choosing raw materials and suppliers.

The question is: how sustainable is De Budelse? High time to take a closer look at sustainability from 3 perspectives. 

Innovative response to trends

The pharmacy wholesaler Spruyt hillen supports pharmaceutical and medical professionals and organisations with a unique combination of products, services and concepts. This innovative company enjoys tapping into the latest developments and trends. Spruyt hillen also likes leading the way in environmentally friendly choices for packaging and printing. De Budelse has been playing an important role in this leading position for over 10 years. 

Strip folding boxes made of PaperWise cardboard

In 2021, Spruyt hillen will continue on its environmentally friendly path. The sustainable packaging line is getting a new addition with strip folding boxes made of PaperWise cardboard. By choosing PaperWise, Spruyt hillen compensates even more for its CO² emissions. Naturally, De Budelse has been commissioned to print these strip folding boxes.

Innovative choice

The decision to use environmentally friendly strip folding boxes made of PaperWise cardboard is truly innovative. Human Healthcare packaging is traditionally made of white cardboard. This choice is mainly dictated by the clinically white colour of the cardboard. Spruyt hillen is now offering customers an environmentally friendly alternative. The new packaging is not gleaming white, but it does meet all existing conditions. And most importantly, it contributes to a better environment. Pharmacists can order these boxes in various sizes and use them as secondary packaging for medicines.  

Strip folding boxes made of PaperWise cardboard

More sustainability

PaperWise; cardboard from agricultural waste

♻️ De Budelse and sustainability: a successful one-two punch

Sustainability is high on the social agenda. A growing number of companies are introducing more nuance to this important theme. De Budelse also aims to take into account the environment and future generations. Sustainability is therefore not only firmly embedded in our business processes. We also have an eye for people and the environment when choosing raw materials and suppliers.

The question is: how sustainable is De Budelse? High time to take a closer look at sustainability from 3 perspectives. 

Wise with waste 

In terms of packaging, De Budelse uses various environmentally friendly types of cardboard. A good example of such a sustainable choice is PaperWise. The motto of this cardboard is ‘wise with waste’. In the eyes of the producer, nature has no waste. Certainly not in the agricultural cycle. After harvesting, stalks and leaves remain. PaperWise breathes second life into this agricultural waste. This is how the company manages to make printing and packaging more sustainable. After all, the production of this wood-free paper prevents unnecessary CO² emissions. 

Low environmental impact

With this approach, PaperWise actively contributes to greater social awareness in companies. De Budelse is drawn to the PaperWise mission and vision. Using these environmentally friendly types of paper and cardboard means we can substantiate our environmental objectives and contribute to a positive corporate image. The environmental impact of Paperwise is much lower than traditional paper from trees (47%) and recycled paper (29%). In short, we contribute to a more pleasant, cleaner world together with PaperWise.  

More sustainability

Sustainable entrepreneurship

♻️ De Budelse and sustainability: a successful one-two punch

Sustainability is high on the social agenda. A growing number of companies are introducing more nuance to this important theme. De Budelse also aims to take into account the environment and future generations. Sustainability is therefore not only firmly embedded in our business processes. We also have an eye for people and the environment when choosing raw materials and suppliers.

The question is: how sustainable is De Budelse? High time to take a closer look at sustainability from 3 perspectives.. 

Waste minimisation

How does De Budelse shape and define its commitment to sustainable business processes. In the past, waste was just a necessary evil in the printing industry. However, we are much more conscious of this these days. Our production capacity is set to ‘high volume, short runs’. This means we do not produce more than is strictly necessary. In combination with the smallest possible intervals, we succeed in keeping waste to a minimum.

FSC®-certified cardboard

The packaging cardboard that De Budelse uses is FSC® certified. The FSC® certificate guarantees that paper and cardboard come from responsibly managed forests. So, we can print and offer this cardboard to our customers in good conscience. We also consider the environment when recycling cardboard. For instance, we separate printed cardboard from non-printed cardboard.

Water-based ink

Ink is indispensable for printing. In the past, these inks contained harmful chemicals, alcohol and solvents. De Budelse has banned these hazardous raw materials from the production process. Instead, we have consciously chosen water-based ink. Furthermore, the raw materials and ancillary products (including lubricants and adhesives) that we use are food-grade. This means they contain a special certification for the food industry.  

Energy use

Finally, sustainability also plays a prominent role in energy use. First of all, the lighting of the work and manufacturing areas is based on the most economical LED technology. We use the heat released by the running machines to heat the production areas.

More sustainability

Basic Pharma

What customers say – Basic Pharma

In 2020, pharmaceutical company Basic Pharma from Geleen issued a tender for the packaging of nasal sprays. After several tender rounds, De Budelse came out on top and was awarded the contract to print a certain amount of packaging for each order. ‘As companies of a similar size, we fit well together’, says purchasing manager Jan-Joris Mertens enthusiastically. ‘We want to be of value to each other, and that works very well.’    

As a pharmaceutical company, Basic Pharma mainly focuses on the development, production and sale of generic medicines. The company is located on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. From this hotspot for innovative companies, over one hundred employees provide a full range of services for various pharmaceutical products and services. ‘Each product group is composed of a number of specialists’, continues Jan-Joris Mertens. ‘My colleagues take care of development, printing and operational matters. For the past year and a half, I’ve been responsible within the team for the purchasing of packaging materials and raw materials.’    

Knowledge of packaging 

Based on the experiences of a colleague’s previous development projects, Jan-Joris Mertens has come to know De Budelse fairly well. Basic Pharma launched a tender for the packaging of nasal sprays. 11 companies received invitations to submit tenders. This also included a number of international companies because logistics is likely to play an important role. ‘Price plays a decisive role in such tenders’, explains the experienced procurement manager. ‘However, it is also very important to us that a supplier knows what is involved in pharmaceutical product packaging.’  

‘De Budelse is a perfect extension of our own supply chain’

Quality check

After the first round, 3 suppliers remained. De Budelse was one of the lucky companies to receive a visit from Basic Pharma for a quality check on location. ‘A company visit is important to get a good feel for the supplier’, explains Jan-Joris Mertens. If you look at everything covered in a tender, De Budelse has a clear edge. But of course we also like to see the business processes up close and get answers to crucial questions about order management, good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and delivery. After all, the transition from an existing to a new supplier should be as smooth as possible.’ 

Transitioning quickly 

Basic Pharma made a conscious choice for De Budelse as its supplier of nasal spray packaging. Ultimately, the international nature of the supplier does not play a major role. ‘De Budelse speaks our language, knows the Dutch culture of entrepreneurship and is situated locally’, Jan-Joris Mertens emphasises. This is much more important when it comes to transitioning quickly. De Budelse guaranteed that our machines could process the boxes well. And they could meet the agreed delivery times and ordered quantities. Basic Pharma works based on the make-to-orderprinciple. So it is crucial that we meet the agreements we have with our customers. This is one of Basic Pharma’s greatest strengths.’ 

Clear agreements

Our collaboration with De Budelse is excellent! Jan-Joris Mertens jokingly says that he has little contact with account manager Ben Vossen. In his estimation, that’s a good sign. Of course, clear agreements were made in the beginning about the loading of pallets and the delivery of samples for quality control. ‘In practice, De Budelse is a perfect extension of our supply chain’, concludes Jan-Joris Mertens. ‘We will certainly continue our cooperation into the future. De Budelse is also an excellent partner for small print runs. They have everything. They also print leaflets, and insert them in the packaging. Basic Pharma needs a partner like that.’  

Strategic collaboration for film pack packaging

Like a phoenix, Polaroid rises from its own ashes

The famous Polaroid brand has begun its second life. From its beating heart in Enschede, the ambitious company is once again attracting much attention. There are 300 employees involved in this comeback worldwide.

A factory in the Far East produces the cameras and the film packs roll off the assembly line in Enschede. It goes without saying that these light-sensitive film packs require professional packaging. Purchaser Alfons Mulder of Polaroid asked De Budelse to share their thoughts regarding a suitable solution. ‘We clicked so well that we have entered into a strategic partnership.’   

The history of Polaroid

The brand name Polaroid evokes positive associations for many people. In the 1970s and 1980s, the brand experienced its heyday. The instant cameras were very popular with a large section of the public. After all, once you took a photograph the camera immediately presented you with a print.

‘The digital age heralded the demise of Polaroid’, states Alfons Mulder. ‘When the company was as good as bankrupt, a number of former employees took over the rights. Putting Polaroid back on the map seemed like a mission impossible. The rescue attempt, however, was successful: Like a phoenix, Polaroid rose from its ashes.’    

Analogue embraces digital

Polaroid’s iconic cameras have been given a modern look and the analogue technology is still the same as forty years ago. ‘Strangely enough, young people are discovering the added value of the analogue camera en masse’, continues Alfons Mulder. ‘By linking analogue and digital, we added a nice gimmick. A special app allows you to link a photo you have taken to a video and bring it to life. All you have to do to play the video is point your smartphone at the photo. Thanks to this link, it’s again cool to use Polaroid. At parties, for instance, or during events, concerts or weddings.’


The packaging is quite tricky and requires a special way of folding and gluing

Tricky packaging 

In the interests of quality and continuity, Polaroid does not want to be dependent on just one supplier for packaging. In the search for a second packaging specialist, the Enschede-based company ended up in Southeast Brabant. ‘We were familiar with De Budelse because of its tailor-made solutions for pharmaceutical companies’, Alfons Mulder states while explaining his choice. ‘Packaging of medicines and film packs have much common ground. The packaging is quite tricky and requires a special way of folding and gluing.’

Buyer Alfons Mulder    

Thinking of solutions

Initially, Polaroid opted for standard packaging. In practice, however, it didn’t work. In consultation with the Product Development department of De Budelse, the focus changed to a new type of packaging. ‘The factory in Enschede is first and foremost a production company,’ Alfons Mulder explains. ‘With over 4 million film packs a year we can’t afford a hitch. There were, of course, the usual start-up problems but we managed to solve those together.’

Expanding the collaboration

Alfons Mulder is very pleased with the collaboration. ‘The Budelse has its organisational affairs well in order, is equipped with up-to-date machinery and has the necessary environmental certificates’, he says enthusiastically. ‘Polaroid and De Budelse are well matched.

We don’t want a supplier who only erupts into action when we ask for it. We need a partner like De Budelse who is flexible and contributes to solutions actively. So, in the years to come, Polaroid will consciously opt for De Budelse.’

Vial packaging

Tailor-made packaging and inserts for vials 

The use of vials is increasing significantly. Vials are small glass or plastic containers that could contain biological medicines. These vials are particularly vulnerable during internal or external transport.

This is why they require solid packaging and practical inserts to protect them and make the production process even more efficient. 

Product development

As a company, De Budelse has built up an excellent reputation as a packaging specialist for the pharmaceutical and medical industries. We have been producing packaging and leaflets in our print shop for both sectors for many years. Our “Product Development” department continuously focuses on tailor-made solutions for the packaging and protection of vials. In this creative process we collaborate closely with our customers.

Providing protection

This fruitful collaboration has led to a basic range of cardboard packaging to provide optimal protection for the vials. The size of the packaging is obviously determined by the number of vials it must contain. With regards to the inserts, customers can choose between 2 variants; a loose insert or a machine-glued insert that automatically opens when unfolded.

The “Product Development” department is constantly thinking about tailor-made solutions

All disciplines under one roof

Thanks to its packaging and inserts for vials, De Budelse again demonstrates its strength as a specialist for the pharmaceutical and medical industries. In Budel, all the required disciplines are gathered under one roof; developing, printing, punching and gluing. The production process complies with strict GMP guidelines that are firmly embedded in the fully comprehensive quality system.   

Personalised customisation

The technical draughtsman of De Budelse would like to join forces and work on tailoring the cardboard basic box and insert to your personal wishes. In doing so, we will definitely take corporate branding and your company’s production process into account.