KHS GmbH has restructured its voluntary reporting process. The systems provider for the filling and packaging industry has now brought its sustainability report further into line with the EU reporting standard and is disclosing additional non-financial KPIs. Protection of the climate remains a key element of the company’s strategic core measures.
“We’ve come a good step further in 2024. This is mainly thanks to the successful validation of our goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)”, says Nicole Pohl, senior ESG manager and human rights officer at KHS. KHS has drawn up an extensive catalog of measures based on its SBTi validation. “The sustainability report presents our ambitious targets defined together with the Group in a transparent and comprehensible manner.”
Moreover, KHS has considerably increased the number of non-financial KPIs published within the context of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and together with the Salzgitter Group’s obligation to report. In taking these key figures into consideration, KHS also wishes to gradually harmonise its procedure with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
SBTi confirms effectiveness of climate protection measures
One central topic is the protection of climate. The shared climate goals of Salzgitter AG and KHS were successfully validated by the SBTi in 2024: here, by 2028 the KHS Group is intent on reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 36 % and those for Scope 3 by 20 %. Its net zero target is to be reached by 2045 for Scopes 1 and 2 and by 2050 for Scope 3. On this basis, KHS has devised an ambitious decarbonisation path and already begun implementing this.
In addition, with respect to its products the Dortmund systems supplier illustrates how intelligent further developments of proven machinery can help to save significantly on energy and thus resources. KHS already provides its customers with plenty of modernisation options that generate added value.
Furthermore, the company aims to offer important upgrades with a specific carbon footprint by the middle of 2025.
Additional non-financial KPIs
One major element enabling actions to be measured in the current and in future reports is the disclosure of non-financial performance indicators. The status thereof has completely changed since publication of the first report for 2013/2014. “The aim is to depict the accounting framework of the KHS Group in as much detail as possible. The full set of data collected based on the materiality analysis carried out within the Group provides a reliable summary of our sustainability activities and progress,” says Pohl. KHS has therefore greatly extended its non-financial KPIs to cover its more than 40 facilities worldwide.
From 2026, KHS is aiming for conformity of its non-financial figures across the last three reporting years and to have its sustainability report independently reviewed.
This consistent aim for transparency and measurable progress reflects how the company sees itself, as KHS CEO Kai Acker emphasises. “For us, sustainability isn’t just an individual project but an integral component of our corporate responsibility and strategy for the future. We specifically invest in sustainable technology and set ourselves ambitious, verifiable targets – for only by doing so can we generate genuine added value for the environment, society and our customers.”
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.”
- Validation at overall Salzgitter AG Group level
- Net zero by 2050 at the latest
- Ambitious plan with decarbonization measures adopted
Binding targets for and holistic commitment to climate protection: together with Group parent Salzgitter AG the KHS Group pledges to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The results of the now completed validation by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) confirm that the Dortmund systems supplier is on the right course.
The independent climate protection organization SBTi develops standards, tools and guidelines which enable companies to set concrete greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. These are transparently validated in a recognized audit procedure. At the end of last year, together with all other Salzgitter AG companies and through the overall Group KHS submitted binding short-term and long-term targets for science-based CO2 reduction. The results that are also based on the Paris Climate Agreement and are in accordance with the 1.5 °C target have now been validated by the SBTi. Compared to base year 2021, in the short term the KHS Group will cut its greenhouse gas emissions generated directly by combustion (scope 1) and indirectly by the use of purchased electricity (scope 2) by around 36 % at all of its sites by 2028. Furthermore, in the same period the greenhouse gas emissions from the company’s upstream and downstream value chain (scope 3) will be lowered by 20 %. “Alongside the long-term and science-based Group target of net zero by 2050 at the latest, our short-term goals for 2028, approved by the SBTi, are just as ambitious, as important measures such as the switch to green electricity at our German plants were already fully implemented before base year 2021. We’re now concentrating on further energy efficiency measures and our international facilities. These act within very different energy markets,” explains Kai Acker, CEO of KHS GmbH.
KHS adopts ambitious plan
“We only have a few years in which to achieve our intermediate goal,” Acker continues. “We thus put the time up until validation to good use and have adopted a number of specific decarbonization measures. The first steps will now be initiated in the near future. Our ambitious plan is both an incentive and an obligation. We’re also showing our customers that we act responsibly and with transparency when it comes to protecting our climate,”Acker concludes.
Commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
SIG received approval for its group-wide Net-Zero science-based target from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company has committed to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by 2050 – the most ambitious commitment available through the SBTi process. Of the 2,000+ companies globally with a public net-zero pledge, SIG is among the first 325 companies to have its target validated by the SBTi.
SIG has set a new series of near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the SBTi, committing to reach net-zero – the point at which a balance is achieved between emissions produced and emissions taken from the atmosphere – by 2050. These targets are significantly more ambitious than the company’s previous GHG reduction targets, approved by the SBTi in 2018 and 2020. The move sees SIG look beyond its own operations and commit to the decarbonization of its full value chain in line with climate science.
SIG’s new near-term 2030 commitments (using 2020 as the baseline year) include:
- 42 % absolute reduction of scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions
- 100 % renewable electricity through 2030
- 51.6 % reduction of scope 3 GHG emissions per liter packed
SIG’s new long-term 2050 targets include:
- 90 % absolute reduction of scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions
- 97 % reduction of scope 3 GHG emissions per liter packed
Samuel Sigrist, CEO at SIG: “The approval of our Net-Zero pathway by the SBTi is a milestone achievement that showcases our dedication to decarbonizing our operations and value chain. Our new targets are considerably bolder than our previous GHG reduction targets and have been well received by our stakeholders. Decarbonizing our business will not be an easy task, but we’re excited to speed up our journey to net-zero as one of the first 325 companies that have received SBTi approval.”
Meeting the Paris Agreement goals and limiting global warming to 1.5 °C requires net-zero carbon emissions globally by 2050. The SBTi’s rigid approval process helps ensure that SIG is using a robust, clear, and scientific framework to contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change impacts.
The main ways SIG is reducing its operational emissions (scope 1 and 2) are its 100 % renewable electricity commitment and outstanding on-site solar installation program, as well as exploring low carbon energy sources to lower direct emissions.
SIG’s products play a major role in reducing emissions across the value chain (scope 3), due to the amount and types of raw materials used. Going forward, the company’s priorities are to use less aluminum foil in its aseptic carton packs, work with suppliers to reduce emissions across the supply chain, further improve energy efficiency with new filling lines, and increase collection and recycling of used packaging.
Tate & Lyle PLC, a leading global provider of food and beverage solutions and ingredients, is delighted to announce that its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2030 have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as consistent with levels required to meet the climate action goals of the Paris Agreement.
Announced in May 2020, Tate & Lyle’s commitment to a 30 % absolute reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is in line with the Paris Agreement’s central aim to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2°C. The company’s commitment to reduce emissions from the value chain (Scope 3) by 15 % over the same period meets the SBTi’s criteria for ambitious value chain goals.
Tate & Lyle is one of only around 65 food and beverage operators globally to have its environmental commitments approved by SBTi, a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund for Nature.
