Nothing beats Ambition
Greiner is a long-standing family business and a global player with growth ambitions. We stick to our (sustainability) goals even when times are tough. Our drive and team spirit are what open up new opportunities and help us grow together. One thing is certain: Nothing beats strategy, innovation, the circular economy, climate protection or our employees.
NOTHING BEATS AMBITION
NOTHING BEATS STRATEGY
NOTHING BEATS EMPOWERING PEOPLE
NOTHING BEATS INNOVATION
NOTHING BEATS CIRCULARITY
NOTHING BEATS CLIMATE ACTION
Sustainability Report 2023
As a company in the plastics and foam sector, we realize that sustainability must be the guiding principle of our business. To turn these words into action, we take our responsibilities seriously and are already addressing the challenges of the future.
The Blue Plan has been Greiner’s overarching Group-wide sustainability strategy since 2020. It provides the strategic framework for our activities and is centered around three material pillars: climate, circular economy, and people.
Highlights from the areas of environment, social affairs & governance
Achieving our environmental, social and governance goals requires all Greiner employees and business partners along the entire value chain. Here we present our highlights for 2023. You can find all the details in the full annual and sustainability report.
We need to systematically address the climate crisis and take effective measures to support climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Our goal is to evolve from a linear economic system into a sustainable circular economy. We pursue multi-level approaches to closing material loops. In addition to increasing our share of secondary materials, we are focusing on improving resource efficiency and extending the product life cycle by developing reusable packaging.
Nothing beats protecting the climate and lowering emissions.
Our highlights of 2023:
- We introduced absolute science-based climate targets for Scopes 1, 2 and 3
- We provided transparency by participating in CDP’s climate change program and achieving an A- rating
- We calculated product carbon footprints and develope CO2 reduction solutions
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
Nothing beats the sustainable use of energy.
Our highlights of 2023:
- We increased the share of self-produced renewable electricity
- We developed a Group-wide energy sourcing strategy to drive the gradual expansion of renewable electricity as a share of total power consumption
- We established division-specific energy targets to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
Nothing beats designing products sustainably, measuring our impact and continuously working on innovations that enable circularity.
Our highlights of 2023:
- We started using self-produced r-PET in Greiner products
- We developed tools to calculate product carbon footprints and life cycle assessments
- NEVEON started producing high-quality foam blocks with a recycled content of 80 percent in the polyol component and transforming them into high-quality mattresses
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
Nothing beats switching from a linear to a circular economic system. This requires a radically different approach to how we use our resources.
Our highlights of 2023:
- We reduced waste landfilled worldwide from 3,339 tons to 2,324 tons
- We improved data quality in the collection of waste information by developing Group-wide, standardized definitions of waste streams
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
Water was no longer considered material in our most recent materiality analysis. However, we are voluntarily reporting on water this year to provide transparency into the steps that we have taken and show how seriously we take the careful use of resources. Nothing beats transparency.
Our highlights of 2023:
- Development and definition of a Group-wide approach to regulate the procedure for water risk or water stress classification of production sites
- Procedures will be incorporated into the water policy applicable to all Greiner sites in 2024
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
The people behind Greiner make us what we are – unique. They inspire us every day and constantly drive us forward as a company.
This is why we focus specifically on the demands at tomorrow’s workplace and are committed to continuing to create excellent conditions for our employees, thereby laying the foundation for Greiner’s successful and sustainable development. As a family business with a company tradition dating back more than 150 years, we have always remained true to our values and our culture of appreciation, trust, and reliability toward our employees.
Nothing beats our employees. We can only continue to attract and retain highly skilled people if we continually strive to provide the best working conditions in a fair and inclusive environment.
Our highlights of 2023:
- We developed a Group-wide “People & Culture” strategy that sets out the framework for action until 2028
- We implemented the Greiner SuccessFactors HR management system to standardize and improve HR processes
- We increased the share of employees with annual performance reviews from 58 percent to 69 percent
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
Nothing beats a safe and healthy working environment. Creating and continuously improving this environment is one of our top priorities.
Our highlights of 2023:
- We reduced the number of major occupational accidents by 41 percent (base year 2018)
- We increased the number of ISO 45001 certified sites
- We harmonized reporting and established a cross-divisional safety working group
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
To enable our employees to reach their full potential, we offer them a wide range of attractive training and education opportunities. Nothing beats future-ready employees.
Our highlights of 2023:
- Every employee completed an average of 15 training hours
- Over 700 people attended the in-house Greiner Academy
- We successfully continued the Greiner Climate Ambassadors project and the Greiner Sustainability Conference and continued building awareness through our Greiner Talks podcast
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
As a responsible family business, one thing is clear to us: nothing beats diversity, equity & inclusion.
Our highlights of 2023:
- We increased the share of women in management positions (with personnel responsibility) from 26.3 percent to 27.5 percent
- We introduced a Group-wide policy on diversity, equity, & inclusion and continued awareness-raising efforts
- We implemented numerous activities to raise awareness and make the focus on diversity, fairness and inclusion visible
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
Nothing beats social commitment for us – not even in economically challenging times.
Our highlights of 2023:
- We supported 356 projects worldwide
- We successfully continued our long-term partnerships with the MINTality Foundation, the Jane Goodall Institute Austria, Teach For Austria, Geben für Leben, Plastic Bank and Viva con Agua
- Our sites continued to serve as role models through local involvement, for example, by donating mattresses after the severe earthquake in Syria and Turkey
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
We base our actions on clear ethical principles and guidelines so that we meet our stakeholders’ demands and maintain their trust.
These ground rules inform our daily work and decisions. We expect our employees and business partners to act in accordance with our Group-wide codes of conduct, which meet and exceed the minimum legal requirements. The sustainable alignment of our supply chains is part of our duty of care and an ongoing management responsibility.
For us, acting ethically means developing clear policies and standards, communicating openly, making business decisions transparently, and standing by them. Nothing beats transparency.
Our highlights of 2023:
- Implementation of compliance training
- Measures to prevent corruption & bribery
- Introduction of a Group-wide ESG risk process
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
In a sustainable supply chain, nothing beats environmental stewardship and full recognition of our corporate social responsibility.
Our highlights of 2023:
- Greiner Group is certified by EcoVadis (Gold status)
- > 36 percent of the suppliers (purchasing volume > 500 thousand euros) checked had a valid EcoVadis scorecard
- We conducted training to build employees’ knowledge and awareness
Read about our goals, measures and performance in the report
