WIESELBURG, Austria, Aug. 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- All ZKW products to be designed according
to Net Zero principles by 2038 – focus on environmentally friendly
and resource-conserving production and employees. In its
current Sustainability Report for the 2023 financial year, the ZKW
Group highlights its most important sustainability topics. The
Group, which develops and produces high-quality lighting and
electronic systems for the global automotive industry at twelve
locations in eight countries, was able to achieve record sales of
around 1.5 billion euros in 2023 despite difficult conditions.
Sustainable management is an important concern for the ZKW Group
and its customers. The aim is to decarbonize the entire production
process by 2025 and to promote environmentally friendly production
by saving energy, avoiding waste and switching to green
electricity. By 2038, net-zero targets are to be implemented for
all ZKW products along the entire value chain and thus
climate-friendly production. "Sustainably profitable growth
requires responsible action. With our sustainability strategy, we
are taking a consistent approach and assuming responsibility for
people and the environment," says Dr. Steger.
The current sustainability report shows the goals and results in
the most important areas of action. In terms of climate
protection, ZKW focuses on energy-efficient production
processes and the use of renewable energies at its locations and in
the upstream value chain. In order to reduce the consumption of
resources in production, sustainable raw materials and the circular
economy are increasingly being used. The company offers its
employees a healthy and safe working environment. In addition, ZKW
promotes training and further education, advocates fair working
conditions and supports social and ecological projects. For its
commitment, the ZKW Group was recently awarded the ISO 14001:2015
environmental management system certificate by Quality Austria.
"Sustainable action has always been important to us. This is linked
to our goal of making mobility safer through our products and thus
ensuring greater safety on the roads," explains Dr. Wilhelm
Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
Fewer emissions through energy-efficient production
The aim is to develop and produce products more efficiently and
sustainably. ZKW uses energy-efficient production machines that
reduce CO2 emissions. Since 2022, production at the Wieselburg,
Wiener Neustadt and Dalian (CN)
sites has been powered exclusively by green electricity, and from
2023 in Mexico and Slovakia by 50 percent. By 2025, only green
electricity is to be used at all production sites. The plant in
Slovakia was built using
particularly energy-efficient and environmentally friendly
construction methods. ZKW also implemented high sustainability
standards for the plant expansion in Mexico in 2023. In summer 2023, the first
photovoltaic system went into operation at the Chinese plant in
Dalian. It is expected to cover
around eight percent of annual electricity consumption and thus
avoid potential CO2 emissions of up to 2,250 tons. In the area of
waste management, the volume of residual waste was reduced in
Wieselburg thanks to the commissioning of baling presses to
separate waste by type. In Dalian,
adhesive waste was reduced through improvement measures. At the
Silao plant, waste management was
optimized through on-site separation and the sale of metal
components. "Flexible and ultra-modern production sites enable a
customer-oriented product and technology offering at the highest
quality level, which also takes into account the relevant
environmental and occupational safety aspects," says Dr.
Steger.
Research and development for a sustainable future
A key part of the strategy is continuous research and further
development of the lighting systems in order to achieve sustainable
end products. These further developments are presented on an
ongoing basis at customer meetings, tech shows and trade fairs,
where feedback is obtained and further adapted. A major focus is on
research into plastics, which are among the most important
materials in production at ZKW. ZKW has been conducting intensive
research into alternative solutions in all product categories since
2022. Research projects such as "SustMat4carLight" are intended to
enable significant CO2 savings – for example through the increased
use of recyclates, biogenic and mixed raw materials. In another
research project, ZKW is investigating biodegradable substrates
that can be used as a basis for printed circuit boards. This should
enable CO2 reductions of up to 60 percent. "We are driving
innovation with initiatives for green electronics, the development
of efficient product modules and research into more sustainable
materials in the supply chain," says Dr. Steger.
Focus on employees
Around 10,000 employees work at the ZKW Group locations in
Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, India, China,
the USA and Mexico. Targeted occupational health and
safety measures (including ISO 45001:2018 certification,
instruction, protective equipment, safety newsletters, public
displays and the myZKW app) have reduced accidents at work by
around 71% since 2017. At ZKW, all employees are trained according
to their position and personality in our own Competence Training
Center – from apprentices to managers. The working-from-home policy
allows employees to work from home for up to eight days a month. In
addition, ZKW ensures the well-being of its employees with company
restaurants at almost all locations, fitness and prevention
programs and a crèche.
Diversity as a competitive advantage
Diversity is seen as an advantage and an investment in the future
at ZKW. As a global employer, the company unites 54 nationalities
under one corporate roof, including more than 14 at the
headquarters in Austria. At the
heart of the ZKW Diversity Strategy is a 5-point plan designed to
raise awareness of diversity inclusion, women in leadership, people
with disabilities, intercultural diversity and work-life balance.
"Appreciation for our employees and customers is at the heart of
everything we do. We are aware of our social responsibility and
take it seriously," says Dr. Steger.
Video: You can see an illustrative example of our
efforts in the area of sustainability in the video on
sustainability at ZKW on our YouTube channel.
ZKW at a glance
The ZKW Group is the specialist for innovative premium lighting
systems and electronics. ZKW has been part of the LG Group as a
subsidiary of LG Electronics Vehicle Solutions since 2018.
As a system supplier, ZKW is a global partner to the
automotive industry. In line with its motto "Bright Minds, Bright
Lights.", the Group develops and produces complex premium lighting
and electronic modules for international car manufacturers with
bright minds and state-of-the-art production technologies.
Its top products include powerful and cost-efficient complete LED
systems. The ZKW Group has a total of twelve locations
worldwide, with intelligently networked development and production.
In 2023, the Group employed around 10,000 workers and generated
total revenues of 1.54 billion
euros.
In accordance with the corporate vision "Ground-breaking premium
lighting and electronic systems from ZKW for all mobility concepts
of the global automotive industry", the company's primary goal is
to produce top-quality high-tech products and to promote the
development of innovative holistic lighting systems.
With our discoveries and inventions, the ZKW corporate group makes
vehicles more desirable, more unique, safer, and more energy
efficient. Our 360 degree product portfolio includes headlamps and
fog lamps, rear lamps, flashers, interior and license plate lamps
as well as electronic modules. Major automotive manufacturers trust
their brands to innovative products from ZKW. We are proud of our
customers like BMW (BMW, Rolls Royce), DAIMLER (MERCEDES-BENZ Cars
and Trucks), FORD (Lincoln, Ford), GEELY (Volvo, Polestar, Lynk Co,
Geely), GENERAL MOTORS (Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac), Hyundai/Kia,
JLR (Jaguar, Land Rover), Stellantis (Opel, Citroen),
RENAULT/NISSAN (Infiniti, Alpine), VGTT (Volvo Trucks, MACK) and VW
(Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Skoda, Seat/Cupra, VW, VW
Commercial Vehicles, MAN, Scania). With intelligent lighting
systems and innovative styling, ZKW is shaping the look and
character of vehicles worldwide.
Contact
ZKW Group GmbH
Sandra Simeonidis-Huber
Group Communication und Marketing
Rottenhauser Straße 8
3250 Wieselburg / AUSTRIA /
EUROPE
T +43 7416 505 2051
sandra.simeonidis-huber@zkw-group.com
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zkw-consistently-focuses-on-sustainability-302212838.html
SOURCE ZKW Group