Decarbonisation

PLASTICS AND THE FUTURE:

TURNING SUSTAINABILITY INTO A STRENGTH AT POLYTEC

Reconciling plastics processing with the concept of sustainable business operations naturally poses a challenge. POLYTEC accepts this challenge and takes many concrete measures for more sustainability in the company. The overarching goal is to make production completely climate-neutral by 2035.

The “Go Neutral 2035” initiative is at the heart of these efforts, defining concrete milestones and targets on POLYTEC’s path to climate-neutral production. This is an ambitious goal for a plastics specialist, whose products are based on fossil raw materials and whose production is associated with high energy consumption. But it is also necessary because those who want to be successful in the future must act sustainably and responsibly.

POLYTEC has long shown that plastics do not necessarily have to stand in contrast to environmental protection. The material is light, durable and in many cases recyclable – properties that many industries are looking for. In the automotive industry, for example, lightweight components made by POLYTEC help to save energy in the operation of vehicles. The location in Ebensee provides a practical example of circular economy: here, used logistics boxes made of plastic are recycled and returned to the production process.

Sustainability as a competitive factor

In addition, ecological responsibility has long been a necessity from an economic perspective. POLYTEC’s customers expect “green” product solutions. Not least because of that, sustainability is not an add-on at POLYTEC, but an integral part of the company’s DNA. POLYTEC also expects this fundamental mindset from its partners, for example with its Code of Conduct, which requires suppliers to comply with social and ecological sustainability standards.

Three focus fields, one goal

Regarding internal measures, POLYTEC has defined three focus fields as part of its sustainability strategy, which are key factors on the path to climate neutrality: People, Energy and Production.

People make the difference

Highly qualified and motivated employees are the key to sustainable progress. Therefore, POLYTEC invests in training and education and improves internal HR processes, thus actively promoting employee satisfaction. The competition for skilled workers is fierce – and companies aiming to score in this area must create attractive working conditions and offer personal development opportunities.

Switching energy to green

POLYTEC intends to switch its European locations completely to green electricity by 2030, and by 2035 all energy purchases within the group are to be CO₂-neutral. Many sites of the POLYTEC GROUP are already purchasing green electricity today. In addition, the group invests in photovoltaic systems in order to gradually increase self-sufficiency.

Efficiency in production

POLYTEC also aims to save energy, emissions and resources in production, with a focus on more efficient processes, the substitution of natural gas by alternative energy sources and the use of alternative fuels. Faster progress is currently still in part restrained by technological and economic factors, but the range of environmentally and climate-friendly solutions offered is growing continuously.

Transformation with foresight

With “Go Neutral 2035”, POLYTEC makes a binding commitment to a path it already embarked on in the past: ecologically responsible, economically viable and strategically sound. The trinity of People, Energy and Production promises progress not only for the climate, but also for the company’s competitiveness. The direction is clear – now it is important to follow it consistently.

GO NEUTRAL 2035

THE POLYTEC GROUP'S PATH TO DECARBONISATION

As part of the “Go Neutral 2035” initiative, the POLYTEC GROUP pursues a decarbonisation path with concrete and measurable targets. The overarching goal is to fully neutralise all Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions across the group.

In the 2023 financial year, POLYTEC started to align its sustainability reporting to the requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) of the European Union. In doing so, a double materiality analysis was carried out as an essential step. This analysis was started in November 2023 and serves to identify significant impacts, risks and opportunities of the company. The findings of the analysis provide the basis for the revision and adaptation of POLYTEC’s sustainability strategy, which are currently in progress.

Measures in connection with climate-damaging emissions were considered to be particularly relevant, which is why POLYTEC continued to drive efficiency measures, energy savings and the conversion to carbon-neutral electricity. As a result, more than 4,200 megawatt hours of energy were saved in 2024 – above all by reducing natural gas consumption. CO₂ emissions were also reduced through the increasing utilisation of green electricity, which is now used in more than half of POLYTEC’s plants. Moreover, the expansion of the company’s own photovoltaic systems boosts its energy independence and contributes to lowering costs in the long term and to increasing security of supply.

Since the 2024 financial year, data collection at POLYTEC has distinguished Scope 2 emissions according to the criteria location-based and market-based. This CSRD-compliant calculation takes into account guarantees of origin of energy suppliers and enables a more realistic picture of Scope2 emissions – however, with the effect that the POLYTEC GROUP’s reported emissions have increased mathematically in comparison with previous years. As a result, a market-based Scope 2 value of 10,230 tonnes of CO₂ was reported for 2024, which exceeded the prior-year figure by more than 15 percent. However, this increase does not reflect a step backwards, but rather in increase in precision of the recording method.

By integrating the new CSRD standards, POLYTEC provides the basis for effective control of climate-related risks and opportunities – and underlines its clear path towards climate neutrality by 2035.