Hebo
Consulting Ltd is a leading expert in multi-layer polymer sustainability
consultancy. With a foundation rooted in engineering excellence and innovation,
Hebo Consulting has transformed the way industries approach recycling and waste
management. Our story began in 1998 when tackling thermal energy challenges during
the implementation of waste from nylon manufacturing, which piqued interest in the
sustainability of plastics and evolved into a focus on sustainable solutions
for complex materials like multi-layer polymers with metallic coatings.
At Hebo
Consulting, we craft bespoke solutions tailored to each client’s specific
needs. We prioritize waste reduction and minimizing carbon footprints by
implementing innovative recycling methods for even the most challenging
materials. For instance, we recently helped a major NYSE-listed client save
over 4000 tons of waste annually without increasing operational costs,
highlighting our ability to deliver impactful results.
Our
expertise in materials spans diverse industries, including food,
pharmaceuticals, decorative products, and packaging. We adeptly navigate global
recycling regulations, ensuring our solutions are effective and compliant with
regional standards. By staying ahead of market trends and continually
innovating, we provide clients with cutting-edge sustainability plans that turn
waste into valuable resources.
Collaboration
is at the heart of Hebo Consulting. We work with recyclers and manufacturers
worldwide, integrating sustainable practices seamlessly across all stages of
production and logistics. Our small team of experts fosters a culture of
innovation, continually pursuing professional development to remain at the
forefront of sustainable business strategies. Our proven track record, combined
with a global perspective and technical expertise, ensures you achieve your
sustainability goals with confidence.
Navigating
Sustainability Challenges with Bespoke Solutions
Suteesh
embarked on his professional journey as a process engineer in 1997, subsequent
to completing his studies in Chemistry, where he addressed variances in thermal
energy outputs using carcinogenic waste as a fuel source in high-temperature
combustion processes and the substitution of virgin sand in cement
manufacturing. Transitioning from this role in 2003, he devoted his efforts to
assisting numerous small enterprises across a wide range of industries in
navigating their operational, procedural, and expansion hurdles. In 2014, the
company underwent a rebranding initiative, emerging as Hebo Consulting Ltd,
with a specialized focus on sustainability endeavors, particularly concerning ‘difficult
materials’ such as naturally polymerized rubber and multi-layer polymers
featuring metallic coatings. Hebo Consulting extends its services for special
projects globally, aiding clients in evaluating their processes and waste
streams while implementing recycling solutions.
The impact
of European Union legislation on the UK and USA market and vice versa is
frequently observed, owing to the significant contribution of the European
economy to the UK market. The distinctive methodology employed by Hebo
Consulting includes the establishment of metrics for gauging project success,
often entailing the reduction of landfill waste, mitigation of carbon
emissions, reduction of product environmental footprinting, and furnishing
clients with data to showcase their sustainability initiatives. Additionally,
the company conducts intricate life cycle analysis studies to elucidate product
and material lifecycles, facilitating informed decision-making regarding
potential enhancements at the manufacturing level. With a global outlook, Hebo
Consulting aids both industries and manufacturers in comprehending and managing
broader challenges extending beyond the UK market, given that over 80% of newly
introduced regulations are intricately linked with global decarbonization and
sustainability efforts.
The core
services provided by Hebo Consulting encompass compliance with sustainability
legislation and recycling solutions tailored for complex materials.
Distinguishing itself from other consulting entities, the company prides itself
on delivering personalized solutions tailored to each client’s distinct
requirements, in anticipation that a generic one-size-fits-all approach is
rarely successful.
With a specialization in biopolymer LCAs, determining the
carbon footprint through the complex interactions from carbon sequestration to
the final product can be challenging for most businesses and consultancies.
Hebo Consulting specializes in helping businesses navigate this often confusing
subject by scoping and identifying the relevant standards for benchmarking.
They conduct the research and calculations with confidence, providing
businesses with an assured carbon footprint. This helps businesses identify
opportunities for making the most impactful changes to become more sustainable
and effectively communicate their progress to key stakeholders.
Hebo
Consulting’s proficiency in managing intricate and multi-layer composition polymers
and implementing best practices sets it apart, enabling the provision of
innovative and cost-effective solutions that yield significant environmental
and economic benefits for clients, ultimately fostering increased profitability
and business expansion.
Lasting
Impact
At Hebo
Consulting Ltd, principles are foundational to every project, with tailored
solutions crafted to align with each client’s objectives. The company does not
believe in a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, especially when dealing with the complexity
of intricate materials. As a core part of our approach, we conduct a
comprehensive material specification analysis and embed our strategies and
collaboration into higher management and board levels to ensure a complete
business ‘buy-in.’ As part of our process, we often dedicate committed time to fully
map out our clients’ process flow of the manufacturing plant to ensure an
accurate mass balance can be used to optimize circular solutions, for which we
have developed our own proprietary methods and tools.
Methodologies
employed encompass both immediate and forward-thinking solutions, guaranteeing
a favorable return on investment. In addition to material considerations, Hebo
Consulting offers implementation on fill circular solutions through counsel on
the integration of processes across manufacturing, logistics, and retail,
ensuring seamless connectivity throughout, as well as the key communications
that emanate from the board rooms to key stakeholders. To achieve true
circularity within a business, it is imperative the whole processes, from
product manufacturing to retail chains, are incorporated as much as practically
possible through the introduction of an ultimate ‘closed-loop’ recycling system.
To achieve this, the capability of our team stems from extensive hands-on
experience and technical acumen. Emphasis is placed on waste reduction, with
alternative proposals suggested as needed to support clients’ Environmental,
Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives.
Core principles at Hebo Consulting Ltd revolve around partnerships of transparency, innovation, and long-term impact. Transparency ensures clients maintain clear visibility into their sustainability journey. The drive for innovation propels the continuous exploration of novel methods and technologies to enhance solutions. Furthermore, a focus on long-term impact ensures the sustainability and enduring benefits of implemented strategies for both clients and the environment.
Driving Sustainable Solutions
In a recent notable success story, Hebo Consulting Ltd, under the leadership of Suteesh, achieved significant results with an NYSE-listed client. Between 2021 and 2022, the company implemented an interim waste diversion solution aimed at preventing landfill use, focusing particularly on a challenging barrier material. By evaluating both mechanical and chemical recycling options, Hebo Consulting successfully introduced a solution that did not escalate operational costs. This interim measure resulted in the annual diversion of over 4000 tons of waste equating to a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by over 2,000 tons from landfills. The project’s success was evaluated against benchmarks such as waste reduction and emission savings, demonstrating substantial positive impacts for the client and inherently difficult material to recycle.
To gauge the efficacy of their strategies, Hebo Consulting employs a blend of quantitative and qualitative metrics. Further metrics encompass the volume tailored to each project, such as reductions in carbon emissions, cost savings, energy generation, fossil fuel reductions, and enhancements in operational efficiency.
Another illustrative example involves Hebo Consulting’s work closely associated with natural rubber and its intersection with the environmental carbon sequestration functions facilitated by rubber plantations. This work examines how such functions impact natural polymers and biogenic carbon content contained within products manufactured from latex and rubber. The comprehensive micro-circular economy, spanning from the cycles of replanting rubber trees to manufacturing natural rubber products, presents a significant narrative contributing substantially to a decarbonizing economy within rubber plantations established before the 1980s.
Pioneering Sustainable Solutions
To remain at the vanguard of sustainable business strategies, Suteesh is currently pursuing a postgraduate doctorate in life cycle analysis and circularity of polymer materials. This endeavor entails staying abreast of the most recent trends, advancements, and research developments. Ongoing efforts include the evaluation of multi-layer materials for cost-efficient chemical recycling. Given the limited market for plastic recyclers handling complex polymers, there’s a necessity for innovation rather than reliance on existing solutions. Consequently, bespoke recycling solutions are often developed for chemically bonded multi-layer polymers, as the recycling market hasn’t yet advanced sufficiently to manage these materials effectively. Although the applications of the materials are very different, the scope of the challenge remains unchanged since most of the materials actually carry similar properties, such as barrier and gas membrane films. The primary role for Hebo Consulting then becomes ‘carving’ out a niche solution that could involve different actors in any part of the supply chain, from processors to extruders and molders.
Staying ahead of industry trends necessitates a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation. Regular participation in industry conferences, workshops, and seminars is integral to keeping abreast of the latest advancements. Collaboration with academic institutions and research organizations is also paramount, facilitating exploration into new recycling technologies and sustainable practices that can be commercialized. This proactive approach enables the integration of cutting-edge solutions into service offerings, thereby effectively addressing emerging sustainability challenges.
Fostering Collaborative Sustainability
At Hebo Consulting Ltd, partnerships and collaboration stand as a cornerstone of operations. The company engages with a diverse array of recyclers and manufacturers globally to facilitate the implementation of recycling solutions for complex waste polymers. Effective communication and continuous client engagement throughout the boardroom level on the consulting process are paramount to achieving success. This approach ensures alignment among all stakeholders and facilitates seamless implementation of solutions across various stages of production and logistics.
Hebo Consulting firmly believes that robust partnerships bolster capabilities and extend reach. By forging alliances with leading technology providers, environmental organizations, and industry experts, the company can offer comprehensive solutions addressing the multifaceted aspects of sustainability. This collaborative ethos fosters innovation and enables the leveraging of diverse expertise to deliver optimal outcomes for clients.
Navigating
Diverse Industry Challenges
The materials
expertise at Hebo Consulting Ltd encompasses a diverse spectrum of sectors,
spanning food, pharmaceuticals, decorative products, and packaging. Each
industry presents distinctive challenges, particularly concerning multi-layer
polymers and naturally occurring polymers with chemical bonding. For instance,
global companies engaged in manufacturing for international markets encounter
logistical hurdles arising from varying recycling regulations across regions
such as the EU and the USA on the material composition of packaging. Drawing
from extensive experience in these sectors, Hebo Consulting partners adeptly
navigate and address these complexities.
The food
industry, pharmaceutical, and decorative products industries all carry similar
challenges on multi-layer polymeric films. Hebo Consulting devises solutions to
manage waste stemming from intricate designs and coatings. Leveraging its
expertise, the company delivers tailored strategies tailored to meet the
specific needs and regulatory requirements of each industry.
Forging
Sustainable Futures
Looking
forward, Hebo Consulting Ltd, under Suteesh’s leadership, aims to broaden its
influence within the UK consulting landscape and beyond. The company firmly
believes in the significance of sustainable practices and endeavors to shape
future industry standards accordingly. Central to this mission is the
development of innovative solutions for recycling challenging materials and
advocating for sustainability across diverse industries. Armed with a global
perspective and robust technical expertise, Hebo Consulting is poised to make
substantial contributions to the evolution of sustainable business practices on
some of the most difficult materials in the market.
The company’s
future growth strategy entails the expansion of service offerings, bolstering
its presence in international markets, and forging strategic partnerships with
key industry stakeholders. Hebo Consulting remains steadfast in its commitment
to investing in research and development to remain at the forefront of
sustainability innovations. By continuously enhancing its capabilities, the
company aims to lead the consulting industry in catalyzing sustainable change
and assisting businesses in achieving their environmental and economic
objectives.
The
materials that are studied and worked on are all valuable commodities that can
be used to replace alternative virgin materials in new processes. The key to
recycling such materials can be considered as finding the correct piece of the
jigsaw puzzle for the material to fit into new processes, thereby avoiding or
benefitting a different process elsewhere.
Fostering
Talent for Sustainability
At Hebo
Consulting Ltd, investment in the growth of the small team is paramount,
facilitated through on-the-job training and ongoing professional development
opportunities. The company fosters an environment that encourages creativity
and collaboration, ensuring employees take pride in being part of an organization
that fosters a positive environmental impact. Flexible working arrangements and
a focus on work-life balance are instrumental in retaining top talent,
cultivating a culture of innovation and excellence, and ensuring we can span
different global time zones.
Recognizing
the importance of nurturing talent to maintain a competitive edge, Hebo
Consulting provides employees with avenues for further training, participation
in industry events, and involvement in innovative projects. The company cultivates
a culture where ideas are valued, and every team member has the opportunity to
contribute to its success. Through the creation of a supportive and stimulating
work environment, Hebo Consulting ensures its team remains motivated and
equipped to address the most complex sustainability challenges.
Community
Engagement and Social Responsibility
While busy
schedules may limit direct involvement in community activities, Hebo Consulting
Ltd, led by Suteesh, contributes in meaningful ways. For instance, the company
supports charities and food banks during festive seasons and aids homeless
individuals striving to improve their circumstances. A firm belief in giving
back to the community drives these initiatives aimed at assisting those in
need.
The corporate
social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Hebo Consulting extend beyond
charitable donations. Actively seeking opportunities to engage with local
communities and support environmental causes, the company participates in
standardization processes related to sustainability and collaborates with
industry organizations to promote environmental awareness and contribution of
surplus stocks to charitable organisations in agreement with our clients. This
commitment to CSR underscores the belief that businesses bear a responsibility
to contribute positively to society and the environment.
Continuous
Improvement through Client Feedback
Hebo
Consulting Ltd acknowledges the need for improvement in the regular collection
of client feedback. Given the nature of the company’s work, which often entails
long-term projects spanning from 2 to 10 years, strong relationships and trust
have been cultivated over time. However, there is a recognized importance in
systematically gathering feedback to pinpoint areas for enhancement and ensure
continual improvement of services.
The company
also ensures the verbal establishment of client feedback to foster open
dialogue and receive constructive input. Through active listening and making
necessary adjustments based on client input, Hebo Consulting upholds a high
level of satisfaction and perpetually enhances its service offerings.
