Our responsibility

Our commitment to sustainability

We announced our commitment to the SBTi back in 2022. Our current emission reduction targets are based on 2021 as the reference year. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from our own production, while Scope 2 comprises indirect emissions caused by the electricity we purchase. Scope 3 emissions result from processes outside the company but related to our production and operations. Nicolas Lootens, our Group Sustainability Manager, highlights the urgency of taking action: “Climate change is already a reality, and it‘s our responsibility to play our part in overcoming the climate crisis. By defining our goals in line with the Science Based Targets initiative, we are taking an important step in this direction.”

Our emission reduction strategies

We are implementing a variety of measures to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. These include repairs to existing furnaces and construction of new ones so we can make more efficient use of natural gas, along with technical innovations such as hybrid furnaces. Other measures that give us major leverage include increasing the share of recycled glass in production to 70 percent by 2030, and switching over to 100 percent renewable energies by 2032. Our investments in photovoltaic systems in Austria, Croatia and Italy also underscore our commitment. To lower our Scope 3 emissions, we are focusing on reductions in several categories: purchased goods and services, capital goods, activities related to energy and fuel, and also upstream transportation and distribution. Innovative approaches such as the ʼNo Soda Trialsʼ and the use of recycled film for packaging are key factors here.

Forward-looking technologies

We are researching Carbon Capture and Storage technologies that will enable us to store or utilise the CO₂ emissions given off during the glass production process. Mineralisation of the CO₂ from the process gas could supply new raw materials for glass production and other industrial processes.

About the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

The SBTi enables companies to set ambitious emission reduction targets based on the latest climate science. The initiative aims for companies around the world to halve their emissions by 2030 and reach the SBTi‘s Net-Zero Standard by 2050. Johann Reiter, CEO of our Vetropack Group, emphasises how important this is: “By defining our goals, we are taking a major step in charting our future course. It is our responsibility to promote sustainable practices and innovative solutions.” With these ambitious targets and actions, Vetropack is showing that sustainability and business success can go hand in hand.