Wieland Group, a German supplier that specializes in copper and brass products, including tubes for transcritical CO2 (R744) refrigeration applications, has released its 2020/21 sustainability report – “Creating Value Over Generations.”
The report details the progress made towards the family-owned company’s 2030 sustainability strategy.
In the reporting year, Wieland reduced the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its production (scope 1) and energy consumption (scope 2) by 10% compared to its 2018/19 baseline. This was achieved via “the expansion of green power purchase agreements, combined with the systematic electrification of the company’s production facilities,” according to a recent statement from the company.
In addition to its emissions reductions, Wieland has also achieved a product recycling rate of 74% and boosted the diversity and inclusivity of its workforce, with 14% of management positions being filled by women.
According to the report, the 200-year-old company is focused on reducing the carbon footprint of its products and processes, strengthening the circular economy, and promoting transparency and responsibility at all stages in the supply chain.
“The basis of our sustainability management involves establishing sustainability both in our core business and in Wieland’s corporate culture,” said Wieland’s CEO, Dr. Erwin Mayr. “We see sustainability as neither a label nor a secondary activity, but as part of our business model and, as a result, as a key competitive factor,” he added. “As an industry pioneer, we aim to set the standards for eco-friendly products in our line of business.”
Wieland uses the report, which complies with the international standards set out by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), to map out its long-term transformation outlook and combines commercial success with sustainable action.
By 2030, the company aims to reduce its scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 42% and increase the share of recycled content to 90%. These emissions targets are currently being validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
In addition to boosting sustainability, Wieland is focused on expanding its offerings, having recently acquired an Italian manufacturer of heat exchangers, a U.S. distributor of a wide range of copper-based alloy strips and a U.S. recycling specialist. The group is also making strategic investments in innovative GreenTech start-ups through its venture capital subsidiary, Wieland Ventures, focusing on sustainable business models.
“We see sustainability as neither a label nor a secondary activity, but as part of our business model and, as a result, as a key competitive factor,
Dr. Erwin Mayr, Wieland
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