Environmental management

Worldwide standardization of environmentally relevant processes

Bestandteil des GNFK StartTo manage its energy and environmental topics across the company, the Schaeffler Group maintains an EnEHS (Energy, Environment, Health & Safety) management system, e.g., based on the energy and environmental standards ISO 50001 for energy management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, and the EMAS eco-audit standard. Internal and external audits are conducted on a regular basis to continuously improve energy management and further optimize environmental performance.

A matrix organization manages environmental and energy topics in the Schaeffler Group. Local environmental protection and energy representatives, regional coordinators, and experts from the strategic departments work closely together. Key performance indicators are used to plan, assess, and manage environmental measures. The need for action and measures are regularly discussed and resolved with the Schaeffler AG Executive Board.

Local EHS and energy representatives conduct regular management reviews with site management at least once a year. Among other things, potential new targets and the status of current projects are discussed. The comprehensive EnEHS management manual defines what information in the local management reviews is important, including measures, changes to relevant issues, and the development of key figures.

In the reporting year, stakeholder analyses and a subsequent Group-wide opportunity and risk assessment were carried out, from company management to every location. The analyses are a component of the EnEHS management system and are conducted at all locations on a regular basis. The results are taken into account when defining location targets. Both the stakeholder analyses and the opportunity and risk assessments are relevant for location recertification.

To ensure a consistent focus on environmental and energy management, the company organizes EnEHS conferences with all EHS and energy representatives every three to five years. In addition, regional conferences are held at more frequent intervals, with the participation of regional coordinators and competence centers. The global online conference “Schaeffler Exchange on Climate Technologies” was held over a period of two days in March 2021. More than 250 participants – including members of the Schaeffler AG Executive Board, plant managers, and EnEHS representatives – took part in presentations, good-practice exchange, and workshops with a particular focus on energy-efficient technologies.

The Sustainable Sites initiative in practice

Bestandteil des GNFK StartThe Schaeffler Group pursues the Sustainable Sites initiative to systematically and continuously improve the sustainability performance of all production sites, beginning with a transparent assessment of their sustainability performance. There are six action fields: climate protection, environment and resource efficiency, occupational health and safety, sustainable supply chain, off-campus mobility, and certifications and life cycle assessments (LCAs). On a plant level, short-term development is identified annually based on over 20 criteria and documented in status reports. For long-term estimation, key indicators are examined for a period of six years and include electricity and natural gas consumption, accident rate, water withdrawal, and the quantity of waste generated, or the recycling rate achieved. In this way, locations are provided with information for comparing their strengths and potential.

This approach allows them to carry out an initial assessment of where they stand. Providing a comprehensive overview enables all locations to learn from each other. A toolbox with best-practice examples was also developed and summarizes projects and measures that have already been implemented at the Schaeffler Group.

In the year under review, all Schaeffler production sites completed an initial assessment. Annual assessments will reveal developments in sustainability performance and uncover necessary adjustments.

The first projects were initiated in 2021 based on location assessments and initially aim to significantly reduce the amount of waste generated and lower consumption of freshwater.Bestandteil des GNFK Ende

The Schaeffler Group established the sophisticated EMAS environmental management system worldwide more than 20 years ago to continuously improve environmental performance and conduct expert assessments. One of the key indicators is biodiversity, which was given higher priority in the most recent revision of the EMAS Regulation, leading to a greater effort at the Schaeffler locations on developing near-natural spaces.

Sustainable production in accordance with the latest standards

Bestandteil des GNFK StartThe production site in Szombathely, Hungary, is the Schaeffler Group’s first plant dedicated entirely to e-mobility worldwide and at the same time the new competence center for the production of components and systems for electric drives. The company plans to increase the location’s annual capacity to 800,000 products with multi-shift operation by 2023 and to achieve an annual target of 1.8 million products manufactured for premium partners in the automotive industry between 2026 and 2029. Measuring 15,000 m² in size, the new factory boasts a carbon-neutral production process. The plant’s environmental concept is extensive: It uses solar energy and thus makes a key contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions. The reuse of treated wastewater and a rainwater retention basin reduce water consumption. Heat recovery pumps, an intelligent heating and cooling management system, and energy-saving LED lighting with intelligent control increase energy efficiency. A near-natural pond and open spaces promote more biodiversity than average plant grounds.Bestandteil des GNFK Ende

1) Relating to employees on the production sites.