For many years, Heidelberg has been actively working to minimize harmful emissions and reduce the environmental impact of its sites and production. The German group has had an accredited environmental management system since 1996, and in 2012 became the first press manufacturer to calculate its CO2 emissions. It also offers a carbon offset certification program to its customers.
The printing press manufacturer is now making a new commitment: that its production and distribution sites worldwide will operate on a climate-neutral basis by 2030.
To achieve this goal, a working group on environmental and social governance (ESG) has been set up, headed by Eva Boll. Heidelberg has already defined a number of measures and has begun to implement them.
Initially, efforts will focus on increasing the energy efficiency of all production and distribution sites and on supplying these sites with green energy.
This alone should significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The company will then use emission certificates to offset the unavoidable residual emissions.
And by 2040, Heidelberg expects to no longer need to use these emission certificates.
"In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to work step by step on the criteria and planned measures. By the end of the current fiscal year, we will establish a roadmap with interim goals for the coming years." says Heidelberg's ESG manager Eva Boll.
A strategy beyond the issue of climate neutrality
However, Heidelberg's sustainability strategy goes beyond the issue of climate neutrality. The group sees sustainability as a long-term balance between the environment, business operations and social responsibility.
"Heidelberg is committed to sustainable HR management focused on issues such as new jobs, demographic management, inclusion and diversity, health management and employer branding." says Marcus A. Wassenberg, Heidelberg's CFO and HR Director.
Sustainability means new opportunities for Heidelberg
This global trend toward climate and environmental protection and sustainability also opens up new growth opportunities for Heidelberg.
"The holistic approach Heidelberg takes in its sustainability management activities is not only an expression of our sense of responsibility. Through the decarbonization solutions that are an integral part of this approach, it also opens up new growth opportunities for the company in a range of sectors, even outside our core business." says Rainer Hundsdörfer, CEO of Heidelberg.
One example is the Group's activities in the field of electromobility. Heidelberg is already the market leader in Germany for Wallboxes, charging stations for electric vehicles. It plans to roll them out internationally. It also plans to gradually expand its portfolio in the areas of charging infrastructure and the smart home, and to transfer its expertise in automation solutions for carbon-free production outside the graphic arts industry.
