BENTELER Group promotes sustainable mobility

Salzburg / Paderborn, June 29, 2023. The BENTELER Group is systematically focusing on sustainability in production and products. For example, the international metal processing specialist significantly reduced its CO2 emissions (Scope 1-3) in 2022 compared to the pre-COVID-19 base year, 2019. The same applies to the company's water withdrawal in areas with water stress and to the general amount of waste.

In addition, BENTELER supports its customers in achieving their own climate targets – with innovative products such as battery cooling plates as well as lightweight components that make mobility more sustainable. The Steel/Tube Division’s Green Tubes initiative is another example of how BENTELER is systematically reducing the carbon footprint of production and products. The group already offers CO2-reduced tubes through its own green steel production at the electric steel mill in Lingen, Germany. This and other progress are presented in the company's Sustainability Report 2022 published today.

Ralf Göttel, CEO of the BENTELER Group, says: "With our products, we support our customers in achieving their ambitious CO2 targets. It is our aspiration to continue to shape the transformation of our industry in an ecologically, socially and economically responsible way. That is why we have significantly intensified our sustainability commitment in recent years. Our latest report proves that this focus is working! We have also become much more sustainable in our own production."

Science Based Target Initiative validates reduction target

The recent validation of the short-term emissions reduction target by the renowned Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) illustrates that the BENTELER Group is on the right track with its strategy: BENTELER is committed to reducing absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 50% by 2030 compared to the baseline of 2019. In addition, the BENTELER Group is pursuing the ambitious goal of reducing Scope 3 GHG emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2019. To this end, the group has launched various initiatives, including agreements on the purchase of green aluminum and green steel. Preparations have also been made, for example, for the long-term sourcing of green electricity, a stand-alone budget for energy efficiency projects has been implemented, and resources for fossil fuel substitution have been strengthened.

BENTELER is also pursuing ambitious long-term goals to further reduce emissions. For example, the company aims to be climate-neutral in its own production by 2040.

Optimized product portfolio for low-emission mobility

One focus of the BENTELER Group is on products for low-emission mobility. Here, the company benefits from its many years of experience with metal. Ralf Göttel continues: "We use our materials expertise to rethink things. Two current examples of this pioneering spirit are our newly named 'Thermal & Tubular' business unit, which is actively shaping the transformation from products for internal combustion engines to products for electric vehicles – for example improving battery durability and performance of batteries through special cooling plates. And our subsidiary HOLON, launched in 2022, which is setting a standard for sustainable mobility with its fully electric, autonomous and inclusive mover."

The BENTELER Group's successes in the area of sustainability have been rewarded: Last year, for example, BENTELER Steel/Tube received the silver medal from EcoVadis, one of the world's largest providers of sustainability ratings. This puts the division among the top 25% of companies in its sector. BENTELER Automotive also achieved the silver medal from EcoVadis for the first time this year. In the Carbon Disclosure Project rating, the division also achieved its best result to date with a "B" in 2022.

Social commitment always in view

In addition to ecological aspects, BENTELER is committed to the well-being of its employees and the communities in which the company operates. For example, the company continuously improves workplace safety and promotes inclusion and diversity – people from 99 nations work at more than 80 sites in 26 countries. The BENTELER Group also supports social projects. Last year, the company supported victims of the war in Ukraine through a groupwide donation initiative in cooperation with UN Refugee Aid. Employees from around the world also took part in World Clean-Up Day. As part of the "BENTELER's Volunteers" program, employees in North and South America volunteered to help people in need, for example by collecting blankets, clothing and toys.

Ralf Göttel: "I would like to thank all our employees and partners who give their best every day to achieve our common sustainability goals. We look with pride at our progress in the reporting year. And at the same time we are aware that these are only milestones. Our sustainability report is intended to give readers a comprehensive insight into BENTELER's sustainability efforts. Together we can bring about positive change."