With its ambitious climate protection strategy, the KHS Group is steadily driving the reduction in its carbon emissions. One key milestone here is its recent validation by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). On this basis, the company is now implementing specific measures to cut emissions.
Following confirmation by the SBTi of the climate goals it shares with parent company Salzgitter AG, the Dortmund systems supplier has set itself a number of ambitious targets. For example, it has now pledged to reduce its direct and indirect Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 36 % in the near future – by 2028. Moreover, the emissions generated throughout its entire value chain (Scope 3) are to drop by 20 %. “Our responsibility goes beyond our own production plants. We supply our customers with holistic solutions that measurably improve their climate footprint,” says Kai Acker, CEO of KHS GmbH.
The key: efficient and renewable energies
KHS has already fully converted to green electricity at all of its German production sites and is continuously optimising its infrastructure. Measures such as efficient heating and lighting systems, use of waste heat, heat-efficient factory doors and intelligent building automation have in part already been implemented. At the company headquarters in Dortmund, Germany, for instance, modern, sensor-controlled LED technology is cutting electricity consumption. Parallel to this, the vehicle fleet is being switched over to electric models. KHS is also replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy: for the plants in Dortmund and Worms, the engineering company is even planning to introduce its own heating networks in order to do away completely with gas and oil. In addition, photovoltaic systems at various German facilities are helping to reduce the amount of energy and CO2 consumed. Further PV setups are also in the pipeline at KHS’ international locations.
Innovations for more climate-friendly production
Besides cutting its own carbon emissions, KHS is also helping its customers to cut theirs. One good example of this is the new generation of InnoPET Blomax stretch blow molders. With its optimised Double Gate heating system, it lowers energy consumption by up to 40 % compared to single-lane stretch blow molders of the same capacity. The Innopas SX pasteuriser considerably reduces water consumption by making use of optimised heat recovery systems. Furthermore, KHS’ Bottles & Shapes™ service enables extremely light PET bottles to be designed that use less material. This means that customers save on precious resources.
Net zero by 2050 at the latest
Above and beyond its short-term targets, together with Salzgitter AG KHS pledges to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest, with this date even brought forward to 2045 as regards its Scope 1 and 2 emissions. “The next few years are key to us firmly staying the course we’ve embarked on and becoming climate-neutral in production in the long term,” says Acker. “I’m absolutely convinced that we’ll meet our ambitious climate goals.”
At the third annual Women in Packaging (WIP) event, held at Pack Expo Chicago 2024, the event brought together a record number of women from across various fields within the packaging industry. From sales, operations, and technical specialists the diversity was inspiring, strengthening, and empowering. This diversity was highlighted by the speakers at the event.
Valentina Aureli and Tyng-Wu (Photo: AETNA GROUP Spa)
The event commenced with a keynote speech by Valentina Aureli, CEO of Aetna Group. She provided her outlook of the company’s achievements, her vision of the female role within the company, and the future she envisions for women within the industry. Highlighting the importance of key themes for the modern industry, such as flexibility of thought, openness to dialogue, and the principle of collaboration, Valentina Aureli concluded by stating, “Approaching success with value and knowing how to recognize priorities are key elements for staying dynamic and growing together, both as women and as a Group.”
The event also highlighted three very diverse guest speakers. These speakers were selected among their peers not only due to their achievements, but also because they exemplify strong women within the packaging industry. Each woman is an example of how she was inspired, how she was strengthened, and how she was empowered to become the success she is today.
Carla D, Regional Territory Manager at Paragon Films, shared her infectious energetic perspective on how knowledge is power. She emphasized the importance of becoming an expert in a specific field, passionately choosing the right product to focus on, and making the most of one’s abilities. Carla also encouraged the women to push outside of their comfort zone and to be more hands on.
Kelly Beerman, Equipment & Packaging Specialist at Midland Packaging, shared her remarkable success as the “Robot Queen,” having reached the milestone of 600 robots sold in the past years. Her keys to success are based on deeply understanding the customers’ needs, improving efficiencies through understanding workflow processes, and ensuring that the solutions provided were the most impactful. By expanding on her technical knowledge, she has been able to offer more value to her customers as well as set herself apart.
Flor Del Rio, Packaging Sales Partner at Associated Packaging, was the final speaker at the event. Flor shared how her father inspired her to become the strong woman she is today. Flor shared how she is not only a woman that sells the machine, but she shared how she is also the woman that puts the machine together. She accents the importance of not being afraid to ask questions and how collaboration amongst colleagues and suppliers is critical to success.
Tyng Wu (Robopac USA Regional Sales Manager) who inspired the WIP initiative from the beginning affirms “The conceptualisation and initiation of the WIP program is based on three key components: networking, where we inspire; mentorship, where we strengthen; and education, where we empower. The combination of these three key components makes the Robopac USA WIP program unique within the industry. This uniqueness sets us apart from other machinery manufacturers.”
The annual event not only highlighted diversity among the group, but it also brought together the three key components of the WIP program. “Our commitment is to support those who strive for excellence, fostering an environment where synergy among people is encouraged,” concluded Valentina Aureli.
WIP events and initiatives such as the WIP sales training program reaffirms, Aetna Group’s commitment to pushing women to the forefront. It’s not only a commitment to being the leader in innovation, but it’s also to being the leader in helping women make an impact within the industry. The time is now, the moment is here.
The large photovoltaic system built by Sidel at their Parma plant has become fully operational, enabling the site to satisfy 40 % of its electricity needs and cut its CO2 emissions by 871 tons/year, equal to the amount absorbed by 43,500 trees. It is one of the largest corporate photovoltaic systems in Emilia-Romagna, which, thanks to its 5,000 solar panels, is able to produce 2,900 MWh of electricity, equal to the yearly consumption of more than 1,000 Parma households.
Sidel plans to invest about 5 million euros in Parma for the energy transition, accompanying the construction of the photovoltaic system with other important initiatives to help achieve the sustainability goals set for the three-year period 2022-2024 by the company, the world’s leading provider of packaging solutions for beverages, food, and personal and household care products in PET, cans, glass, and other materials.
“Our environmental commitment is at the heart of all our activities. Indeed, we make our contribution to environmental protection by innovating and developing sustainable solutions to reduce CO2 emissions,” commented Francesca Bellucci, Sustainability Director of the Sidel Group. “Our decarbonization strategy aims for a 50 % reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions – those resulting from our operations and energy consumption – by 2030. This goal has already been achieved: we reduced our emissions by 75 % in 2023 compared to 2019. The full implementation of the photovoltaic system in Parma allows us to take another important step towards achieving the goal of zero net emissions across our entire value chain by 2050.”
All Sidel’s production sites worldwide, including the Parma site, are certified according to the ISO 14001 environmental management system. With this certification, Sidel has adopted a system that enables it to achieve a continuous reduction in its global environmental footprint. By integrating sustainability principles into its operations, the company aims not only to reduce its carbon footprint, but also to improve its operational efficiency, innovation and competitiveness.
“We are particularly proud to have put the entire system into operation, providing the plant with self-generated clean energy,” commented Riccardo Rosselli, VP Global Sites & Facility Management at Sidel Group and Site Leader of the Parma site. “This is a very important step towards achieving our environmental sustainability goals for the headquarters and the plant, which are also in line with the sustainability targets that the city of Parma aims to accomplish by 2030. I would like to thank all Sidel employees who have worked hard over the past year to turn an ambitious project into reality.”
Elopak rounded off a highly successful 2023 with yet another strong quarter, delivering on the mid-term targets set by the company during its IPO in 2021.
2023 was a year of significant progress and achievements for Elopak, extending the many successes of previous years in implementing the company’s sustainability driven growth strategy. The Board proposes a dividend of NOK 1.46 per share for the year 2023, in line with dividend policy.
Fourth quarter 2023 highlights
Revenues increased by 7.5 %, to EUR 287.2 million
Organic growth was 8.4 %, or EUR 22.4 million, adjusted for currency translation effects
Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 40.0 million, an improvement of EUR 4.1 million, reflecting a 13.9 % margin
Strong cash flow generation and down-payment of debt. Leverage ratio reduced to 1.9x
Commenting on Elopak’s performance, CEO Thomas Körmendi said: “I am happy to report yet another quarter of strong performance and I am pleased to confirm that the Elopak team has delivered on all the 3-5 year targets set in the IPO in 2021.”
“I would like to say a big thank you to all our colleagues, customers, suppliers and partners for their fantastic contributions and collaboration throughout the year. We are entering 2024 from a strong position and I look forward to further strengthening our contribution to a more sustainable society while continuing to create shareholder value in the years to come,” Körmendi added.
Full Year 2023 highlights
Revenues increased by 10.6 %, to EUR 1,132.0 million
Organic growth was 9.4 %, adjusted for currency translation and acquisition effects of EUR 11.9 million
Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 170.9 million, an improvement of EUR 51.5 million, reflecting a 15.1 % margin
Adjusted profit attributable to Elopak shareholders was EUR 68.3 million, up 55 % compared to 2022
Proposed dividend of NOK 1.46 per share for the year 2023, in line with the dividend policy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest USD 178 million in seven international development projects on four continents to support U.S. government priorities including promoting climate-smart agriculture, facilitating trade and addressing the root causes of migration in Central America, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today.
The funds are being awarded under the Food for Progress Program, through which USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service partners with non-governmental organisations and foreign governments on projects that help developing countries strengthen their agricultural systems and boost their trade capacity. This year’s awards are part of the USD 2 billion investment to strengthen global food security, announced by President Joe Biden at the United Nations General Assembly.
“Food for Progress is a cornerstone of USDA’s international capacity-building efforts. This year, as we emerge from a global pandemic and face the challenges of rising hunger and poverty, changing climate and the worldwide fallout of Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine, this work is more important than ever,” Vilsack said. “By partnering with private-sector organisations, local governments, and local producers and businesses, we are helping to build more equitable and resilient food systems, sustainably boost production capacity to combat food insecurity, and increase farmers’ incomes while enhancing their ability to mitigate and adapt to climate change.”
Through Food for Progress, USDA donates U.S. agricultural commodities to eligible entities such as private voluntary organisations and foreign governments, which then sell the commodities on the local market and use the proceeds to support agricultural, economic or infrastructure development programs. This year, USDA will donate 240,000 metric tons of commodities, valued at USD 129.6 million, for projects to:
Support the Biden-Harris Administration’s strategy to address the root causes of migration in the Northern Triangle region of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras by focusing on sustainable and climate-smart agricultural production, trade facilitation and supply-chain integration;
Improve the livelihoods of 60,000 coffee-producing households in areas of Burundi that have been threatened by ecological change and limited economic growth;
Increase Jamaica’s spice yields by 50 percent, while also boosting processing and export capacity, through a systems-based approach and a focus on climate-smart production;
Address food insecurity in Malawi through a project that will boost production and profitability for 35,000 farms through implementation of sustainable and scalable climate-smart agricultural practices;
Assist cacao producers in Nigeria with increasing production capacity and decreasing their climate footprint while also implementing a traceability process across the cacao value chain;
Boost yields and profits for 12,000 spice farmers in Peru by supporting their resilience though climate-smart production practices; and
Promote adoption of climate-smart production practices by 30,000 farmers in Thailand through creation of a regional knowledge hub.
The seven new Food for Progress projects funded by USDA in 2022 are in addition to 41 projects currently underway in 38 countries. To learn more, view the complete list of 2022 Food for Progress awards.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.
