Ecover is a Belgian company that manufactures ecologically sound cleaning products (made from plant-based and mineral ingredients), owned by S. C. Johnson & Son since 2017.
History
The company was founded in 1979 by Frans Bogaerts to create phosphate-free cleaning products to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning agents. Following expansion to support sales through supermarkets, it ran into financial difficulties during the early 1990s. The business was sold to Bogaerts' son and rescued by Gunter Pauli, a member of the company's board since 1990. Pauli, in turn, enlisted in 1992 the financial clout of now-deceased Danish investor, Jørgen Philip-Sørensen, through the private investment company Skagen. The company's relaunch commenced with the construction of an "ecological factory", followed by investments into research projects for the purpose of developing appropriate plant-based and renewable raw materials for cleaning products.
Ecover is part of the Skagen Conscience Capital, a global organisation. Aquaver and the Change Initiatives are other companies of Skagen Conscience Capital.
In 2012 Ecover bought Method Products, a San Francisco, United States, headquartered manufacturer of biodegradable natural cleaning supplies with a focus on minimalist product design, to assist its entry of the North American market. The new group had annual revenues of $200 million at that time and were the world's largest green cleaning products company by sales. Method had been founded in 2001 by Eric Ryan, a designer and marketer, and Adam Lowry, a chemical engineer. Method opened a factory in the Pullman neighborhood of Chicago in 2015.
In 2017 S. C. Johnson & Son purchased the Ecover and Method brands on undisclosed terms.
Products
Ecover comprises the following brands: Ecover: domestic detergents, cleansing agents and personal care products. Held: domestic detergents and cleansing agents. Techno Green: professional detergents and cleansing agents. Ecover Professional: professional cleansing agents. Wellments: personal care products
A number of Ecover products - washing up detergent (domestic and professional), fabric conditioner, laundry detergent and multi-surface cleaner - are available from a container refill service (customers reuse the products original container) to reduce the overall environmental impact of distributing the product. Ecover refill locations have previously been limited to independent health food stores and small local cooperative schemes, with the company having stated that it will expand its reach in this regard.
Factories
Ecover built the world's first "ecological factory" in Malle, Belgium, with a green roof extending over more than 6000 sq m (square meters). The factory opened in 1992 and was featured on television news programs that allowed the company to feature the recycled and recyclable materials that make up most of the structure. In 2007, Ecover opened another factory based on the same "ecological" premise in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Northern France, and also secured ownership of a factory in Steffisburg, Switzerland, through the acquisition of the private Held AG company (manufacturer and distributor of ecological washing agents) in 2003.
Awards
In 1993, UNEP awarded the "Global 500 Roll of Honour" to Ecover for "outstanding achievements in the protection and improvement of the environment". In 2008, Time magazine honored Ecover CEO, Mick Bremans, with the title Hero of the Environment together with 29 other eco-pioneers working for a green future. In 2010, Ecover earned a finalist nomination from the European Business Awards for the Environment for a pioneering project in green innovation in the process category. In 2018, Method was recognized as one of "the 50 most sustainable companies in the world" at the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards. For the company's national and international experience in sustainable development, and eco-friendly products, the A.A. Environment Possibility Award conferred the "Award of Green-Trend Leader" to Ecover in 2020.