Imagine a sea of red Hilti tool cases. Each one stands for quality, reliability and today more than ever: Sustainability. With its circular tool case initiative, Hilti demonstrates how a closed-loop system can work in real industrial applications.
The idea is simple but powerful: Instead of discarding old tool cases, Hilti collects them through its Fleet Management program at the end of their lifecycle. After a professional assessment, reusable cases are returned to service. If reuse is no longer possible, the material enters a structured recycling process.
The tool cases are shredded, ground, cleaned and precisely sorted. The recycled plastic is then used to manufacture new Hilti tool cases. Most of the components are already made from recycled material, while more than 10% of the red parts come directly from old Hilti tool cases.
Quality without compromise
Circularity does not mean lowering standards. Hilti tool cases, including those made with recycled material, meet strict quality and safety requirements, such as UN drop tests under extreme conditions. Even at temperatures down to -18 °C, the cases must withstand drops from 1.2 meters without breaking.
“Quality is key. We test our products extensively while maintaining the iconic red color”, says Bernhard Strack, Global Head of Circularity at Hilti.
A lighthouse project for sustainability
The circular Hilti tool case is the company’s first closed-loop recycling project, but clearly not the last. It required strong partnerships, innovative sorting technologies and deep material expertise, all essential elements for a functioning circular economy.
As a partner for manufacturing and sustainability, PLASTON is proud to support projects like this, where innovation, responsibility and industrial performance go hand in hand. Because the future of plastics isn’t about using less, it’s about using the material smarter.