Syntegon receives silver in EcoVadis sustainability rating

Syntegon gehört zu den nachhaltigsten 16 Prozent der von EcoVadis bewerteten Maschinenbauunternehmen weltweit. / Syntegon is among the most sustainable 16 percent of companies in the machinery industry worldwide assessed by EcoVadis.

EcoVadis hat die Nachhaltigkeitserfolge von Syntegon mit der Silbermedaille ausgezeichnet. / EcoVadis recently awarded Syntegon a silver rating for its sustainability achievements.

– Rating agency for corporate sustainability assesses Syntegon for the second time
– Syntegon among the top 25 percent of companies rated
– Result improved by 22 percentage points compared to the previous year

EcoVadis awarded silver status to Syntegon in their sustainability rating, honoring the processing and packaging technology specialist’s sustainability efforts. For the assessment, EcoVadis evaluated 21 criteria in four areas: environment, labor and human rights, business ethics and sustainable procurement. Compared to the previous year, in which Syntegon received bronze status, the company improved by more than 20 percentage points in all areas. This puts Syntegon among the top 25 percent of companies with over 1,000 employees assessed by EcoVadis, and in the top 16 percent among companies in the machinery industry. “Making our processes and technologies more sustainable – that is what we work for every day. The EcoVadis rating shows that we’re on the right track,” says Sebastian Oestreicher, Head of Health, Safety and Environment at Syntegon.

EcoVadis is the world’s largest provider of sustainability ratings for companies, with a network of more than 90,000 assessed companies. As part of its evaluation, EcoVadis examines the extent to which the principles of sustainability are integrated into the respective business and management systems. The methodology is based on leading standards such as GRI, UNGC and ISO 26000 and is monitored by an international scientific committee. For its assessments, EcoVadis considers the company's applicable directives, measures, and business results, as well as input from external experts and stakeholders.

Strategic approach to ESG

Syntegon upholds high standards in the areas of business ethics and social responsibility. The environmental and social dimensions of its business processes are regularly evaluated – with the supply chain also playing a central role. Syntegon is committed to the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, pursues specific goals as part of its ESG strategy (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) and collects comprehensive data to help maintain its own high standards. EcoVadis has been assessing Syntegon since last year: “Having our sustainability activities reviewed by external experts helps us identify areas for potential improvements,” says Oestreicher.

Keeping an eye on emissions, energy consumption and waste

Syntegon is pursuing targets to consistently reduce its emissions and energy consumption. The company is well on its way to reducing its CO2 emissions by as much as 25 percent by 2025 compared to 2019. The packaging specialist already sources 100 percent green electricity at all its European sites and adheres to the 1.5-degree target set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. Syntegon is also working on circular economy concepts and has e.g. achieved a waste recycling rate of over 90 percent at its German plants.

In addition, Syntegon aims for all its food packaging machines to be able to process fully recyclable mono-materials or paper by the end of 2022. In this way, the company is driving the transition to environmentally friendlier packaging together with its customers. Syntegon also has a focus on further reducing the energy consumption of its products: to this end, the company evaluates its machines comprehensively in terms of material and energy consumption and continuously optimizes its machine portfolio.

Committed to a better life

In addition to environmental aspects, Syntegon scored well in the area of working conditions and human rights. An employee survey from 2021 showed that staff commitment is above average and that the employees feel they are treated fairly. Furthermore, measures for the effective prevention of statutory violations were part of the assessment of business ethics. Through its global compliance management system, a Code of Conduct that is binding for all employees, and a whistleblower system for reporting suspected violations, Syntegon has implemented a host of effective measures.

EcoVadis also evaluated various aspects related to sustainable supply chains such as human rights compliance and environmentally friendly supply conditions. Syntegon has committed itself and its business partners throughout the supply chain to sustainable business practices and respecting human rights. In this regard, the company requires its suppliers to comply with a Code of Conduct, supports them in improving their ESG performance and regularly reviews said performance in audits.

“For us, the silver status is a confirmation of our commitment to sustainability and at the same time an incentive to consistently continue on this path. Our mission is to deliver processing and packaging technology for a better life. This means not only supporting our customers in supplying people with food products and pharmaceuticals, but also doing it in a sustainable and ethical way,” explains Dr. Michael Grosse, CEO of Syntegon.