Environmental Position
The document defines our basic strategy for environmental management processes.
Environment
Sartorius is a manufacturing company with more than 30 production sites at which we consume energy, release greenhouse gases. Moreover, we use water, particularly in the manufacture of membranes and final assembly of filters.
We are aware of our environmental responsibility and set high standards for protection as a matter of principle.
Climate Action
Until 2030: Reduce CO2eq Emission Intensity by ~10% p.a. compared to 2019
In 2019, GHG emissions measured in CO2 equivalents (CO2eq) amounted to ~50 billion tons, 4-5% of which were related to the healthcare sector. With attributable emissions of ~450,000 tons, Sartorius made up 0.025% - and thus only has a small impact.
Still we see it as our duty to contribute to achieve the climate targets and will make substantial efforts to do so: with our products, at our sites and along our value chain. As a high-growth company, we focus on reducing our CO2eq emission intensity which specifies the output of emissions in proportion to sales revenue.
We aim to reduce our CO2eq emission intensity by ~10% per year until 2030.
Compared to the base year 2019, this equals a total reduction of ~70%. To reach this goal, we plan to spend on average ~1% of revenue per year.
2030: Zero Avoidable Emissions in Scope 1 and 2
Scope 1
Emissions in Scope 1 are direct emissions. They result mostly from the use of fossil fuels to generate heat and power at our sites or process emissions.
Switching to renewable energy at our sites will have a major impact in reducing Scope 1 emissions. The process emissions generated during membrane production are currently deemed unavoidable based on the technology available at present.
We aim to eliminate all avoidable Scope 1 emissions by 2030.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions within Scope 2 occur during the generation of purchased energy, particularly electricity.
We are working to switch to zero-emission energy from renewable sources wherever possible. The success of this effort is subject to the availability of renewable energy at our global locations.
We plan to eliminate Scope 2 emissions by 2030.
Scope 3
Scope 3 emissions occur along the value chain.
~70% of emissions attributable to Sartorius are generated upstream, e.g. mainly in connection with purchased goods or services; ~20% occur downstream, e.g. during the transport of our products or disposal at the end of the product life cycle.
Currently, our activities focus on the upstream value chain and include an adapted supplier strategy and the optimization of logistics processes.
Further Focus Fields
Sartorius sources a wide range of raw materials, consumables, and supplies in order to manufacture its products and product packaging. This includes, in particular, plastic, metal, and electronic components as well as packaging materials.
The aim of a circular economy is to decouple economic growth from environmental pollution by recycling materials, i.e., not only reducing the consumption of resources but also simultaneously reducing the generation of waste, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
For this reason, Sartorius aims to continuously optimize the selection and use of materials along the value chain, thereby improving its products’ environmental footprint.
This applies to the materials the company uses in terms of type and quantity at the beginning of a product’s life, the material intensity on the part of the customer, and how materials are handled at the end of a product’s life. To underscore its commitment, Sartorius has also been a signatory of the European Plastics Pact since 2019.
Learn more about our approach and performance in our Non-Financial Statement.
European WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment; implemented by the German Act on Placement on the Market, Return and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment – Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act “Elektrogesetz”
In Europe, the Sartorius Group is registered according to the WEEE Directive as a product distributor of electrical and electronic equipment. For this purpose and for return of its equipment by customers, Sartorius has joined the European Advanced Recycling Network by contract.
At Sartorius, water is primarily used for membrane production and modification. These manufacturing processes are optimized to minimize the use of rinsing water. Organic solvents are processed and for the most part, recycled.
The goal is to ensure compliance with applicable regulations during the use and handling of hazardous materials and to avoid the use of critical substances when developing new products.
So far, distillation plants have been installed at the relevant consumption sites, such as Göttingen and Yauco, and are intended to ensure an almost closed solvent cycle. In addition, the Yauco and Bangalore sites have a cistern system that harnesses collected rainwater for various applications.
Learn more about our approach and performance in our Non-Financial Statement
With roughly 8,000 suppliers from more than 40 countries and a purchasing volume equivalent to more than 40% of turnover, Sartorius’ supply chain plays a significant role in the company’s sustainability transformation. For this reason, the Group expects suppliers and their suppliers to comply with sustainability standards and to promote sustainability.
Our fundamental sustainability requirements were laid out in our Code of Conduct for Business Partners, which was updated in 2022 and has been binding for new suppliers since 2019.
As of December 31, 2022, 441 suppliers had signed the updated 2022 Code of Conduct for Business Partners, accounting for 12% of Sartorius’ total purchasing volume. In addition, the company has received a total of 654 valid sustainability-related supplier self-assessments, accounting for 49% of Sartorius’ total purchasing volume. Furthermore, the company carried out 125 of its own quality-related supplier audits that included sustainability aspects.
Learn more about our approach and performance in our Non-Financial Statement and in the publication Sustainability in the Supply Chain.
Stories on local and global initiatives
