Our commitment to a greener future
As an energy-intensive company, we acknowledge the imperative to contribute to a sustainable future. In light of this commitment, we actively engage in promoting environmentally conscious solutions and consistently strive to enhance the sustainability of our business practices.
Actions, not words: Our measures for responsible and sustainable corporate development
Our company is dedicated to establishing benchmarks for sustainable business practices within our industry. We believe that sustainability presents an opportunity to develop innovative solutions, enhance our competitiveness, and foster a world where prosperity and the preservation of our natural resources coexist harmoniously. To achieve this, we have set clear sustainability targets and are taking decisive action to reach them, with a particular focus on minimizing our environmental impact. We are investing in resource-efficient production processes to reduce water and energy consumption as well as waste generation. By leveraging new technologies, we aim to reduce our ecological footprint and cut down on CO2 emissions. Our long-term strategies prioritize sustainable and environmentally friendly production.
A significant milestone in Heraeus Group's commitment is the ambitious goal of aligning our business activities with the 1.5-degree targets of the Paris Agreement. We have set a target of achieving a 42 % absolute decarbonization (for Scope 1 & 2 emissions) from 2021 to 2030, reflecting our deep commitment to this cause.
These efforts align perfectly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Our contribution to a greener tomorrow:
For us as a company, sustainability has become one of the most important issues of our time. We are increasingly committed to promoting sustainable business practices and proudly showcase impressive examples of how we reduce environmental impact, take social responsibility and achieve economic success in the process. These examples show how we have made sustainability an integral part of our business strategy. From energy-saving solutions to social initiatives – we have a lot of work to do.
Heraeus Precious Metals, another member of the Heraeus Group, has signed a solar PPA (power purchase agreement) with Next Energy, the largest provider and operator of solar parks in the Main-Kinzig district. The agreement will result in several large ground-mounted photovoltaic plants in the Rhine-Main region, which will be planned and constructed by Next Energy. The plants have a maximum total output of 40 MWp and are expected to enable the Heraeus Group to produce around 40 GWh of electricity per year. This represents a significant contribution to covering the company's electricity needs in Germany. Heraeus Comvance has taken a share in this PPA with a currenty allocation of around 30 % of the electricity output.
Heraeus group consumes over 60 % green electricity worldwide, and was covering about 10 % of the annual electricity demand at its locations with solar systems by the end of 2023.
We are planning to install solar panels at our sites in Germany and the USA on roofs and free ground space, and are exploring other innovative renewable energy solutions, amongst them green hydrogen.
"Our vision is to not only produce world-class quartz glass products, but also to pave a way for these products to be produced in accordance with the principles of sustainability. We are passionate about environmental and social responsibility and strive to promote sustainable manufacturing that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the opportunities of future generations. Our work should not only drive innovation, but also protect and preserve the world in which we live."
Marc Kirchner, Global Head of Strategy PMO, Sustainability & HR
