Mass balance
The raw materials we make LEGO® bricks from are changing. In the first half of 2024, 30% of all resin we purchased was certified according to mass balance principles, which translates into an estimated average of 22% renewable sources attributed to our products. And we plan to significantly increase this percentage in the rest of 2024 and beyond!
The mass balance approach involves producing materials that are a mix of both virgin fossil and renewable raw materials, such as used cooking or plant oils. Our suppliers mix these raw materials together to produce a material we buy to make LEGO products. In doing so, we reduce the use of virgin fossil fuel sources whilst creating the same LEGO products you know and love!
Mass balance is a little technical, so stay with us whilst we explain…
Our supplier mixes virgin fossil and renewable raw materials to create the material we purchase. This process is done on a large scale and the material created is supplied to lots of different companies, for many different products. At the LEGO Group, we use the material to make the long-lasting LEGO bricks you know and love, without compromising on quality or safety.
While it is not possible to guarantee how much renewable content is in an individual LEGO brick because of the mixing process, our suppliers provide certificates confirming the amount of renewable content that we’ve purchased.
Our longer-term ambition
The mass balance approach is a stepping stone that helps us continue our transition to using more and more renewable raw materials, but it’s not the end goal.
However, it is the best option we have today to increase the amount of renewable raw material we buy and decrease the amount of virgin fossil fuel we use.
We also believe that by adopting this approach, we’ll drive demand and encourage the market to produce more renewable raw material, so that in the long-term we have a reliable supply of renewable raw material suitable for making high quality, durable LEGO bricks.
Until then, we’ll continue to work with the industry and partners to encourage production of sustainable raw materials and a transition away from virgin fossil. For us, this means buying certified mass balance and supporting the development of an industry standard that requires chemical and physical traceability so the renewable raw material can be traced in the material produced by our supplier.
And in parallel, our team of curious, creative and committed colleagues will continue working hard on a range of materials solutions, whether investing in advanced recycling and exploring other, new technologies, so that we meet our ambition to make LEGO bricks more sustainable by 2032.
