Schneider Electric unveiled the first home energy solutions made from ocean plastics. The market-leading Merten range of sockets and switches made from recycled ocean material delivered in sustainable packaging, eliminating non-recyclable material, and empowering customers to take one step closer to achieving net-zero goals. Debuting at CES 2022, Schneider Electric is the first company in the industry to offer Home Energy solutions made from upcycled ocean plastic that creates a vision of a truly functioning circular economy.

Giving ocean nets new home for life: Schneider Electric's Merten range, known for its timeless modern design, includes new models made from polyamide fishing nets collected from the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Customers in select markets are now able to contribute to the reduction of ocean pollution by choosing sustainable products – including switches, sockets and frames – without compromising on durability and style. The Merten Ocean Plastics offer has been recognized by CES as a 2022 Innovation Award honoree in the Sustainability Category.

The product range is also the first in the industry to receive the international Cradle to Cradle Silver certification for responsible product design and steps taken towards a continuous circular economy. The abandoned or lost fishing equipment makes up around 10% of the plastic waste in oceans. The new Merten ocean plastic models contribute to reducing the 640,000 tons of fishing nets left in the ocean each year and are the first step in making this range of products more sustainable.

Sustainable Partnership Schneider Electric partnered with DSM, to transform fishing net waste into high-grade technical plastic that can be used in electrical devices. DSM collaborates with several local communities in India to recover and collect discarded fishing nets, providing a significant benefit to the local economy and environment. The abandoned fishing nets are then cut up, cleaned, extruded, and inspected for quality before being sent to DSM for processing into Akulon Repurposed compound.

The carbon footprint of this new compound is 82% lower than the traditional Nylon 6 used in similar products, reducing the potential impact on global warming, air acidification, and photochemical Ozone formation in its manufacturing process. The final material also contains 15% glass fiber to make products more durable, resilient, and long-lasting to meet all necessary electrical safety requirements and standards. 100% recyclable packaging: Further enhancing its sustainability commitments, Schneider Electric has also revamped its product packaging, eliminating all single-use plastic and non-recyclable materials from the packaging process.

Technology can help to make more intelligent energy solutions to reduce carbon footprints. Still, company fall at the first hurdle if it's a single-use plastic device wrapped in non-degradable packaging. By addressing this at the start, the Merten System M range takes a great step toward future 100% recyclable packaging by Schneider Electric.

The design of the boxes also includes the recognizable Schneider Electric and Merten brand logos together with the ocean plastic symbol.