Planet Protector Sustainability Profile

What do our labels mean?

We are on a mission to eliminate Expanded Polystyrene and become the market leader in sustainable insulation.

Founded in 2016 by Female Founder, Joanne Howarth, an award-winning entrepreneur, Planet Protector is on a mission to rid the world of expanded polystyrene (EPS) that has been wreaking havoc on our oceans and waterways for over 70 years. 

Planet Protector’s disruptive innovation, WOOLPACK has won global acclaim. Made of 100% sheep’s wool, wool from Australian crossbred sheep raised for their meat rather than their fleece, this wool is unsuitable for textiles and destined for landfill. Planet Protector has diverted this wool from landfill and monetised a waste stream to support Australian farmers. WOOLPACK is used across Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical sectors to protect temperature sensitive goods. 

Our newly established $15 million state-of-the-art facility in Victoria is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Equipped with the latest automation technology from Europe, it can process up to 150 tonnes of fibre per week, including wool, cotton, and even recycled textiles. It has enabled us to enter new markets like building insulation, acoustics, and contract manufacturing for geotextiles, bedding and furnishing industry.

About Planet Protector

Status

Website
Visit Website

Employees
25 - 100

Industry
Packaging and Containers

Country
Australia

Founded
2016

Planet Protector Sustainability Actions

Women Owned Business

We are a proudly certified as a WEConnect International ‘Women Owned’ Enterprise. As a female-founded and led business, committed to empowering women in industries where innovation and leadership are crucial. At the heart of our company, we prioritise diversity and inclusion, ensuring that women can excel in pioneering roles. With 60% of our employees being women, we are not only creating a supportive and dynamic workplace but also setting an example for future generations of women leaders.

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Return to Sovereign Manufacturing

Our supply chain was initially established offshore, as there was no local alternative. The bitter truth is that 90% of Australia’s wool clip is sent offshore for processing. This meant our wool was grown in Australia, processed offshore and the final products manufactured in Australia and New Zealand. This is changing in 2024. We are proud to be bringing back manufacturing onto Australian soil. Our new ‘state-of-the-art’ fibre processing facility in Melbourne is located much closer to home, enabling us to reduce our carbon footprint by approximately 55 kg of CO2e per tonne of wool! Backed by a $4.8 million Federal Government Grant, this facility is the first and only of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. With the capability to process up to 150 tonnes of fibre each week, this facility is a game changer for Planet Protector and other Australian businesses looking to onshore their manufacturing.

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Created a New Sustainable Building Insulation Product

We’re immensely excited about the development of Planet Protector Insulation, our 100% sheep wool building insulation. At Planet Protector, the capabilities of our state-of-the-art fibre processing facility, enable us to push the boundaries of research and development and bring our 100% sheep wool insulation to new markets. This groundbreaking product not only offers superior thermal performance but also aligns with our commitment to sustainability. We’re excited to lead the way in offering a natural and renewable alternative to traditional insulation materials.

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Planet Protector Sustainability Commitments

2021

ANZPAC Targets

Since 2021 all our packaging products have been guided by ANZPAC targets. We are committed to ensuring WOOLPACK and our company remain at the forefront of the ANZPAC targets..

2021

APCO

APCO (Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation) certification is a key milestone for our business as we strive to meet the highest sustainability standards in packaging. Since 2021 we have been committed to annual APCO reporting and performance transparency. We are 2024 APCO certified to Beyond Best Practice Standard.

2024