Ecological sustainability
Berger goes Green
Our environment is close to our hearts. The Berger Group takes an active part in protecting our planet, and we do so with a number of projects.
On the way to a sustainable future
Environmental and climate protection at Berger
At Berger, we work to keep our carbon footprint as low as possible. We have implemented innovative technologies throughout our plants to increase our energy efficiencies. We invest in continuous training and informative company-wide events that help increase all our staff's knowledge and awareness in how we can all make a difference.
We have implemented tree planting on the Berger Group's company-owned and family-owned land, and we have also worked to establish active bee colonies, led by our trainees, We do all this in the hopes of creating a successful path to a more ecologically sustainable future.
Environmental protection is firmly anchored at Berger
Certifications according to ISO 14001 and ISO 50001
The principles of environmental and climate protection, which have been firmly anchored in our guiding principles for many years, are put into practice in the Berger Group:
- Continuous monitoring and improvement of our energy efficiency
- Ecological responsibility towards society and future generations through environmentally conscious use of resources
- Minimizing the impact of waste and emissions on our environment
- Continuous improvement of business processes
- Reduction of waste
Since 1998, the Berger Group has been committed to environmental protection in accordance with written guidelines, such as the annual life cycle assessment and certification in accordance with ISO 14001 and ISO 50001.
Initial successes
CO₂ reduction
With our CO₂ reduction program, we have set ourselves the goal of reducing our direct CO₂ emissions by at least 50% by 2030.
Since 2015, Berger has been able to reduce CO₂ emissions at German plants by 45%. The adjacent diagram shows the CO₂ emissions of Berger Holding according to Scope 1 and Scope 2 (GHG protocol).
Current energy projects
Berger ‘Job - Bike'
We also want to help our employees make their lives more sustainable. One of our current incentives is to reduce emissions through the 'Job-Bike' program.
By supporting the leasing of a traditional or e-bike from local bicycle dealers, we offer our employees the incentive to come to work by bike instead of car. This also encourages our employees to make greener choices in their everyday lives.
Renewable energies
Solar energy as a source of electricity
In order to produce our components with low GHG emissions and in a carbon neutral manner, our machines and equipment are powered, amongst other things, by our own electricity, generated by photovoltaic systems. Wherever possible, company rooftops are equipped with an expansive photovoltaic system.
In 2022 alone, our Ottobeuren and Ummendorf Plants will be investing around 1 million euros to further expand their current photovoltaic systems. Once the Ottobeuren photovoltaic system has been expanded, it will be able to provide more than 40% of the energy used at the Ottobeuren plant. (graphic opposite).
Annually, the solar power generated by this new Ottobeuren system will be similar to the annual energy consumption of 147 average sized family homes. At the Ummendorf site, we anticipate the annual solar power generation to be equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 94 average sized family homes. In total, the expansion of the photovoltaic systems at both Plants will result in a savings of 725,276 kg of CO₂ every year.
