Success Stories

Case Study: PortionPac®

Since its creation forty-two years ago, Chicago-based PortionPac Chemical Corporation has been dedicated to a cleaner environment. Its founder, Syd Weisberg, was an avid environmentalist and a brilliant chemist who understood the risks involved with using chemicals and devoted his career to making the cleaning process safer and more efficient.

PortionPac was initially cautious about becoming involved with Green Seal. But, when consumers made Green Seal the consensus Industry Leader in certifying cleaning Chemicals, PortionPac became committed. "We reviewed every product we manufacture in light of Green Seal's requirements and have made those changes necessary to certify an extensive list of products, with more on the way", states President, Marvin Klein. "Green Seal Certification fits perfectly with our company's history of sustainability. It is gratifying to have independent third party verification to our commitment." His recommendation: "The sooner our industry can focus on one standard like Green Seal, the better it will be for every company and all our customers."

Just how important has Green Seal been to PortionPac's business? Mark Samios, National Education Director for PortionPac, cites three ways Green Seal has helped. First, it has encouraged even greater quality control— PortionPac now researches and documents every aspect of its chemical component's composition. Second, it has brought about small and large changes in formulation to create greener products along with enhanced performance. And third, it has opened doors with customers who are more attuned to environmental issues and consumerism.

According to Mr. Klein, Green Seal has actually improved PortionPac's product performance. "People ask if our products are Green Seal-certified. Many won't accept less". Mr. Samios agrees: "The Green Seal program has forced us to change our formulations to comply with the standard. Even the smallest changes have produced better products, and this is thanks to a rigorous and thorough review by Green Seal."

CASE STUDY: Wausau Paper™

Wausau Paper is a successful company by anyone’s standards, exceeding $1 billion in sales in 2004. One of the reasons for its success is that the company is always looking for ways to be innovative.

According to Wausau Paper, although the 1990s had seen a lot of interest in green products, this interest had died down after purchasers became confused and less confident about the ecolabeling process. But beginning around 2000, the trend in that direction was emerging again, with industry-oriented organizations supporting environmentally responsible products, and backing it up with visibility, funding, and credible purchaser information. Wausau Paper was already aware of Green Seal because their customers used Green Seal-certified chemicals. The company felt that if there were a growing demand for green chemicals, then there would be a market for green paper as well.

In 2003, Wausau Paper initiated certification review and testing for a complete line of green towel and tissue paper products. Mark Stanland, Director of Marketing at Wausau Paper’s Towel & Tissue segment, has high praise for Green Seal’s strict and thorough certification process. “What I especially like about Green Seal is that the standards are what they are. There is no bending of the rules. The Green Seal® really means something.” Wausau Paper started out with 28 certified products, but now has more than 40 products that have been certified through Green Seal. And they keep adding more.

What has been the impact on Wausau Paper’s business? In last year’s annual report the company recorded a 16% increase in shipments of environmentally preferable EcoSoftTM Green Seal® products. In a market that is growing 2% annually, that’s a significant market gain. Thomas J. Howatt, President and CEO of Wausau Paper, notes: “Innovative product offerings, such as our recently introduced EcoSoft and Green Seal certified paper towel and tissue products, have driven growth in our target markets and improved profitability.”