Resource efficiency and environmental protection
- The Schaeffler Group uses an Energy, Environment, Health & Safety (EnEHS) management system to manage its energy and environmental operations
- The company has set itself the goal of reducing its use of freshwater by 20% by 2030
Energy and environmental management
Part of NFBTo manage its energy and environmental operations across the company, the Schaeffler Group maintains an Energy, Environment, Health & Safety (EnEHS) management system based on the energy and environmental standards ISO 50001 for energy management and ISO 14001 for environmental management, among others. Internal and external audits are conducted on a regular basis to continuously improve energy management and further optimize environmental performance. This also includes measures designed to prevent waste, increase recycling, and protect biodiversity.
A matrix organization manages environmental and energy issues in the Schaeffler Group. Local environmental protection and energy representatives, regional coordinators, and experts from the strategic departments discuss these issues together on a regular basis. 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 management reviews with site management at least once a year, providing an opportunity to discuss and document issues such as potential new targets and the status of current projects. These are also accompanied by regular opportunity and risk assessments. 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.
|
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
2020 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coverage rate for EMAS certification in %1) |
|
99.2 |
|
98.5 |
|
98.6 |
||||
Coverage rate for ISO 14001 certification in%1) |
|
100 |
|
100 |
|
99.5 |
||||
Coverage rate for ISO 50001 certification in%1) |
|
100 |
|
100 |
|
99.3 |
||||
|
||||||||||
The Schaeffler Group also established the environmental management system EMAS worldwide more than 25 years ago to continuously improve environmental performance and conduct expert assessments. One of the key indicators is biodiversity. To determine a key figure in the management system, the company collects extensive areal data at the locations and describes concrete biodiversity requirements. In the reporting period, definitions and criteria were developed to enable assessment and measurement of biodiversity and were incorporated into the EnEHS manual, which applies to all Schaeffler locations and outlines the requirements of the underlying management systems (EMAS, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001).
Approval of the updated manual is planned for the first half of 2023. Locations need to complete implementation by the end of the second half of 2023.Part of NFB Ende
EMAS anniversary
Developed by the European Union in 1993, the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a community system of environmental management and environmental audits for organizations that are looking to improve their environmental performance. Four years later, in 1997, Herzogenaurach was the first Schaeffler Group location to pass the audit and be incorporated into the European Commission’s EMAS Register. In 2001, just about every Schaeffler Group location around the world were validated in accordance with EMAS. Even 25 years after introduction in Herzogenaurach, just about every Schaeffler production site has been successfully validated in accordance with EMAS and is therefore evaluated in accordance with globally comparable environmental standards. Three selected examples reveal how environmental protection measures are successfully implemented at Schaeffler locations worldwide.
Sorocaba (Brazil)
The Sorocaba location achieved the “Zero Waste to Landfill” target since 2019, which means that waste is no longer disposed of in landfills.
Schweinfurt (Germany)
Recycling roller bearings reduces CO2 by more than 80% compared to new bearings.
Taicang (China)
A special system treats up to 95% of industrial wastewater at the Taicang location, which reduces the use of freshwater by around 28,000 metric tons a year.
Water management
Part of NFBSchaeffler locations primarily use water for sanitation and hygiene, cooling, and industrial applications. The company has integrated water management into its risk management system – for example, to identify the consequences of climate change and respond accordingly. The risk-based approach takes into account availability, quality, reputation risks, and regulatory developments.
The Schaeffler Group has set a goal of reduce its use of freshwater by 20% by 2030 when compared to 2019. In addition, water dependence is systematically being reduced in an effort to minimize water-related production risks. The manufacturing sites that are located in areas with severe or extremely severe water shortages were identified based on the results of the World Research Institute (WRI). A variety of projects were planned for these sites to reduce water usage and recycle withdrawn water using suitable circulatory systems and treatment plants such as water evaporation systems.
|
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
2020 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Freshwater withdrawal, total1) |
|
5,560 |
|
5,618 |
|
5,034 |
||||||
Of which surface water2) |
|
165 |
|
159 |
|
- |
||||||
Of which groundwater1) 2) |
|
2,300 |
|
2,209 |
|
- |
||||||
Of which third-party water1) 2) |
|
3,095 |
|
3,250 |
|
- |
||||||
|
||||||||||||
A total of 5,560 thousand m3 (prior year: 5,618 thousand m3)1) of freshwater was used in the reporting year, which represents a drop of around 1.0%, due in part to the water saving measures implemented. No seawater or produced water is withdrawn. No water is lost in the manufacture of Schaeffler products, as withdrawn water is either reused internally or directed to third parties after treatment.
Since 2022, the Schaeffler Group has bundled all relevant resources in a single program dedicated to reducing the use of freshwater with a global interdisciplinary team. The aim is to identify and implement water saving measures between 2022 and 2030 in order to reduce the use of freshwater by 20% as of 2030 in comparison with 2019.
A total of 29 water saving measures implemented and externally verified in 2022 will lead to annual savings of at least 192.7 thousand m3 as of 2023. For example, evaporation systems were installed to reduce the amount of wastewater and reuse condensation for other processes. The implemented measures also included optimization of production systems and processes such as returning treated cooling tower water to the cycle.
All locations with industrial wastewater and large volumes of wastewater – which can occur as a result of electroplating or needle production – are equipped with a variety of systems, ranging from treatment to nearly 100% recycling. A variety of technologies are used for this purpose, including evaporation technology, membrane filtration, ion exchange systems, and chemical and physical treatment processes. Where this is not possible, wastewater is treated in accordance with applicable guidelines and discharged into the public sewer system.
Facilities that pose a risk to natural bodies of water must be operated in such a way that there is no fear of contamination of water or soil. However, if there is a leakage of fluids or unintended contamination, these are to be rectified immediately. Depending on the scope of damage, inspections are conducted on-site under expert supervision and in coordination with local authorities. Additional measures are defined based on the assessment results.Part of NFB Ende
1) The 2021 value has been adjusted.