SCHAEFFLER IBERIA TOWARDS 100% SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT

The Schaeffler Iberia plant in Elgoibar launched a plan in 2016 to achieve carbon-neutral production by 2020. Today, Schaeffler Iberia can confirm that the production target with 0 emissions has been achieved considering direct greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1) and the emissions of the electricity purchased (scope 2). This success of the company has been possible thanks to a series of actions that directly affect production processes and others, as a result of the involvement of employees and collaborators.

From 3,606 T / CO2 in 2015 to 0 in 2020

As a production plant, the Schaeffler plant in Elgoibar consumes a large amount of energy in the production process. When the project started in 2015, the volume of CO₂ emissions was 3,606 tons/year (scopes 1 and 2).

In August 2016, the plant started to use electricity only from renewable sources, thus achieving a significant reduction in emissions.

In the current phase of offsets, the objective is to offset emissions that cannot be avoided due to the production process by purchasing certified emission reductions. In the supply of natural gas, Schaeffler Iberia has reached an agreement with the marketer to compensate 100% of the emissions derived from its gas consumption.

Additionally, until the end of 2020, 2,000 native trees will be planted in different areas of the region. This measure will contribute to conserving the biodiversity of the region in which the plant is located and will help offset part of the emissions derived from freight transport, waste management and employee transport.

Reduction of water use during production

The reduction of CO₂ emissions has been the main milestone, but other actions are also carried out to achieve sustainable production, especially in the reduction of water consumption in its production process. By adapting the production process and the water treatment facilities, the aim has been to reduce volume on the one hand and increase recycling on the other. Following the actions undertaken in 2016, it has been possible to reduce total water consumption by 75%, and the vision of a neutral company also in this consumption, with new technologies in production and in water treatment, will allow the recycling of 100% of the waters in the short term.

Employee involvement

Since Schaeffler Iberia started this project, several awareness campaigns have been launched for employees related to sustainable transport; promoting the use of the company bus, information on benefits and subsidies for the acquisition of electric vehicles, average pollution generated by each employee when traveling by car to their workplace, as well as installing an electric bicycle loan system to publicize this technology. Likewise, employees are encouraged to participate in the different energy saving and recycling campaigns. Other initiatives aimed at reducing the use of plastics are also being developed.

Schaeffler's commitment to sustainability

Sustainability is central to Schaeffler's values ​​and activities. Since 2017, the company publishes a Sustainability Report annually. The report also presents information on the company's contributions to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Among others, the Schaeffler Group's commitment to sustainability also translates into new financing approaches. For example, it has established a 'Green Finance Framework' to finance investments that support environmental objectives.