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Reducing greenhouse gases as a top priority

We see ourselves as part of a complex supply chain and are committed to pursuing multiple strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We have therefore set three key goals that we are actively working towards:

  1. Maximising the reduction of directly controllable GHG emissions by 2025 (Scope 1 and 2)
    Directly controllable emissions are those we can reduce by our own efforts, as they arise either on-site (e.g. from our vehicle fleet) or from the energy we consume (e.g. electricity). Over recent years, we have implemented a range of measures to reduce our electricity and gas consumption and transition to renewable energy sources. Following an energy audit conducted in early 2023 in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1, we are now implementing further steps to reduce these emissions.
  2. Maximising the reduction of indirectly controllable GHG emissions across the supply chain by 2030 (Scope 3)
    To make a significant impact on our GHG emissions, we need to focus on the materials we use, which are still almost exclusively petroleum-based. As we do not produce foam materials ourselves, we rely on our suppliers. Together with them, we are exploring different approaches to producing sustainable foam materials, such as those made from renewable resources or using various recycling methods. Achieving this requires strong and responsible business partners who will work with us to develop sustainable foam materials and bring them to market.
  3. Annual contribution to global climate protection
    Starting from our 2020 baseline, we have been producing annual GHG reports to accurately track our emissions. Our main objective is to actively reduce these emissions. From 2024 onwards, we plan to introduce a dedicated climate budget. This budget will both support our internal climate protection initiatives and contribute to high-quality climate protection projects certified to the highest standards—not in the form of conventional offsetting but as an additional, non-offsettable contribution that extends beyond our company’s immediate boundaries.

The three scopes

Our own emissions are just the tip of the iceberg.

Companies’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are typically grouped into different categories, known as scopes, depending on the type of emissions and where they occur within the supply chain:

Scope 1: direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the company that occur on-site (e.g. operating an in-house boiler or vehicle fleet)

Scope 2: indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased energy (e.g. electricity from the public grid)

Scope 3: indirect emissions from activities throughout the upstream and downstream supply chain (e.g. purchased raw materials, waste disposal, goods transport, employee commuting)

Our initial GHG inventory for the base year 2020 revealed that Scope 1 and 2 emissions represent just a small fraction of our total impact. Over 98% of our business-related greenhouse gases are generated in the upstream and downstream supply chain. Many companies claiming to be “carbon neutral” focus solely on Scope 1 and 2 emissions. By contrast, we measure all three scopes and are working hard to reduce our Scope 3 emissions as well.

However, this requires the active collaboration of numerous partners, including raw material suppliers, transport companies, customers, and employees. We cannot reduce supply chain emissions directly, but we can influence them through our behaviour and demand. This is a significant challenge for a medium-sized business, especially when many of our partners are considerably larger. 

Measures to achieve goals

Greenhouse gas accounting

Adopting the philosophy “We can only manage what we monitor,” we implemented a corporate-level greenhouse gas accounting process (Corporate Carbon Footprint according to ISO 14064-1) in 2022. Since then, we’ve been regularly calculating our carbon footprint and having this externally verified.

 

Energy audit

In the first half of 2023, we voluntarily completed an energy audit in line with DIN EN 16247-1. This audit included a systematic inspection and analysis of the entire company’s energy consumption, aimed at tracking energy flows and identifying and prioritising savings potential.

Environmental certification

In 2024, Pahlke will undergo the EMAS certification process for the first time. This environmental management certification helps companies systematically improve their energy and material efficiency, reduce negative environmental impacts and risks, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Renewable electricity

We have transitioned our entire electricity supply to renewable energy. Our supplier, Naturstrom, delivers 100% genuine green electricity from renewable sources, and has multiple certifications from TÜV and the Grüner Strom eco-label.

Photovoltaic system

Since May 2019, we’ve been operating our own photovoltaic system on the roof of our production facility. Comprising 891 panels, it generates an average annual output of 216,000 kWh, making Pahlke theoretically energy self-sufficient.

Investment in buildings

In recent years, all of our production and storage facilities have been thoroughly insulated, and new windows have been installed to minimise heat loss. What’s more, we’ve upgraded the lighting in our buildings to modern, energy-efficient LED bulbs.

Investment in machines

When replacing old machinery or investing in new items, we prioritise environmental and energy aspects. We continuously monitor our machines, optimising their operation wherever possible to reduce energy consumption.

 

Investment in vehicles

Our vehicle fleet does not include any vehicles that emit more than 120 grams of CO2 per kilometre. This limit is being progressively lowered, and we’ve already introduced two fully electric and two hybrid vehicles into our fleet of six.

Sustainable materials

Alongside our standard PUR and PE foam materials, we’re committed to offering sustainable alternatives. These alternatives are already available in the PE sector, and we’re actively developing different approaches in the PUR sector, always seeking partnerships with innovators for collaborative projects.

 

Find out more!

Reducing material usage

In our production processes, we focus on optimising material use from the outset, starting with product design. Throughout production, our team continuously works to minimise material usage and seize opportunities for further optimisation.

Recycling concept for waste

The waste we cannot eliminate is carefully collected, sorted, and, where feasible, integrated into a recycling process. We are also continually exploring additional recycling options to minimise the amount of waste sent for thermal processing.

Optimised product delivery

Foam is a lightweight yet bulky material that takes up significant space during transport. To reduce both environmental impact and costs, we optimise certain foam products for transport by ordering compressed foam blocks. This approach decreases both the transport volume and the associated emissions.

Product design

In sectors like cleaning and construction, foam materials are often used in disposable products. We provide solutions to extend product life or incorporate replaceable components. For example, tile installer sponge pads with hook-and-loop backing allow the plastic base to be reused, with only the pad needing replacement.

Climate budget

Beginning in 2024, we will allocate a fixed percentage of our annual profits as a dedicated climate budget. This budget will be used to invest in reducing our GHG emissions and funding other internal climate protection initiatives, as well as supporting certified climate protection projects globally.