Case - Wehlers & Elcon - Quantifying the Green Transition

From Linear Office Furniture to Circular Assets

ELCON is one of Denmark's leading electrical installation and engineering companies, deeply committed to integrating sustainability into its operational backbone. When facing an upcoming refurbishment, their procurement goal was clear: furniture assets must not only be durable and flexible but also deliver verifiable, measurable environmental impact to support their internal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ESG reporting.

They needed a partner that could move beyond traditional "green" claims and provide a fully documented, circular solution.

The Challenge: Eliminating Future Liability

ELCON’s primary hurdle was the future disposal of conventional furniture. Like many large corporations, they wanted to ensure that their investment did not simply become landfill waste after its lifespan. They sought a solution that offered:

  1. Extreme Durability: For high-traffic areas and long-term use.

  2. Guaranteed Circularity: A verifiable take-back program.

  3. Measurable ESG Data: Concrete figures on CO2 reduction and waste diversion.

The Wehlers Solution: Asset-Based Circularity

ELCON chose to implement the Wehlers R.U.M. Chair across several office and meeting locations. The decision was rooted in Wehlers' foundational commitment to 100% waste materials and the guaranteed Take-Back System and supports Elcons vision of a better future.

"We needed proof, not just promises. Wehlers delivered all the required environmental documentation and provided a clear roadmap for the material's next life. This is essential for us to confidently report our sustainability efforts internally and externally."

— Anita Wulff-Hansen, Division Secretary, ELCON

Quantifying the Environmental Win

By choosing the Wehlers R.U.M. chair, ELCON achieved immediate, documented reductions in their environmental footprint. This is the data that transforms a purchase into a success story for ESG reporting:

Metric

Result Achieved by ELCON (Per Chair)

Impact for Large-Scale Procurement

Waste Diversion

2.0 kg of recovered plastic waste (fishing nets, e-waste)

Eliminated tons of plastic waste from entering landfills or the ocean.

Material Virginity

100% of the chair shell is made from recycled materials. Steel is up to 70%

Ensures no depletion of new natural resources.

Take-Back Guarantee

0% future landfill liability.

Guaranteed asset value and material reuse managed by Wehlers.

CO2 Reduction

Significantly Lower compared to manufacturing with virgin polymers.

Contributes directly to ELCON's goal of achieving a lower Scope 3 (purchased goods) emission rate.

The furniture is now classified as a Circular Asset, providing ELCON with peace of mind that their investment remains sustainable through its entire lifespan—and beyond.

Why the Wehlers Partnership Works

For Division Secretary Anita Wulff-Hansen, the key was the simplicity of integrating a complex circular system:

  • Audit-Ready Documentation: Wehlers provided immediate, detailed documentation on material sourcing and certifications, streamlining ELCON’s auditing and reporting processes.

  • A Clear Story: The chairs themselves, made from highly visible waste streams, serve as a tangible example of ELCON’s commitment to resource responsibility for employees and visitors.

  • Long-Term Reliability: The contract-grade durability matches the expected lifespan, ensuring the chairs live up to their sustainable promise.

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