For sustainable growth, businesses must balance economic growth with social, environmental and government objectives. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) represents this commitment, embedding sustainability into its culture and operations. From sourcing eco-friendly materials to optimising energy use and reducing waste, the company takes a holistic approach to minimising its environmental footprint while driving innovation in industries like automotive and renewable energy.

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies aligns its sustainability initiatives with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles:

• Environmental: Reducing its footprint, achieving carbon neutrality, and implementing sustainable processes. Initiatives include adopting renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and minimising waste.

• Social: Prioritising people through fair treatment, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion, and education. The company extends its social commitment beyond the value creation chain, supporting diverse social projects that positively impact communities.

• Governance: Ensuring human rights, preventing corruption and bribery, safeguarding fair competition, and upholding ethics, codes of conduct, and corporate values. Strong governance practices ensure that sustainability efforts are transparent, accountable, and aligned with global standards.

Freudenberg Sealing Technology employs a dual approach to sustainability:

• Own Footprint: Reducing its environmental impact through internal measures such as energy optimisation, process improvements, and waste reduction. This includes adopting cleaner technologies and continuously evaluating operations for efficiency.
• Customer Efficiency: Assisting customers in enhancing their efficiency by providing innovative, sustainable solutions. By developing advanced materials and systems, Freudenberg Sealing Technology enables its customers to reduce their environmental footprint and operate more sustainably.

Carbon Emission Targets 

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has set ambitious sustainability goals to underline its commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development:

• 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025 (per million euros in sales from 2020 levels)
• Carbon neutrality by 2045 for its operations.

Initiatives and the GROWTTH Strategy

The GROWTTH (Get Rid Of Waste Through Team Harmony) strategy underpins FST’s sustainability efforts. This approach encompasses various aspects:

Processes

• Transitioning to green electricity and ensuring renewable energy sources power operations.
• Eliminating waste from processes through lean practices and advanced technologies.
• Integrating sustainability parameters into business decisions to prioritise long-term environmental benefits.

Operations

• Reducing energy and water consumption across facilities.
• Electrifying core processes to decrease dependency on fossil fuels and expanding renewable energy use.
• Upgrading heating and cooling systems with double-heat recovery systems, heat pumps, and other energy-efficient solutions.
• Making use of recycled boxes and shipping materials.
• Ship less air and reduce overall size of shipments.
• Exchange lighting to LED where possible.
• Switch to green energy.

Product

• Developing advanced, bio-based materials to reduce the carbon footprint of products without compromising performance or quality.
• Replacing fossil fuel-derived components in elastomers like EPDM, NBR, and FKM, which are widely used in demanding applications such as batteries and fuel cells.

Hydrogen

• Pioneering advanced sealing solutions for hydrogen electrolysers and fuel cells. These solutions address the unique demands of hydrogen systems, promoting the transition to cleaner energy.
• Exploring broader hydrogen applications, including distribution, conversion, and storage, to support a sustainable energy future.

Examples of Site Initiatives

• Emmerich, Germany: Eliminated fossil fuels, installed photovoltaic panels generating 410 MWh annually, avoiding 240 tons of CO2 emissions. This site exemplifies the integration of clean energy systems into daily operations.
• Process Innovations: Reduced degreasing temperatures for metal rings from 65°C to 40-45°C, cutting energy consumption by nearly 50%. This innovation demonstrates how incremental changes can lead to substantial environmental benefits.

Our Progress

By 2023, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies achieved significant milestones in its sustainability journey:

• 85% of manufacturing sites are fully electrified, showcasing the company's commitment to reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
• 50% of sites have achieved zero CO2 emissions through the use of green electricity.
• Enhanced operational efficiency and teamwork through site consolidation efforts, streamlining processes while maintaining environmental integrity.

Carbon Neutrality by 2045

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies roadmap to carbon neutrality by 2045 is clear and ambitious. Key strategies include:

• Expanding renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic and geothermal installations, to power operations sustainably.
• Electrifying processes to reduce carbon emissions from traditional manufacturing activities.
• Innovating advanced materials to lower the environmental impact of products and meet growing demand for sustainable alternatives.
• Strengthening partnerships with stakeholders and governments to overcome regional energy challenges and promote global sustainability standards.

By fostering innovation, empowering employees, and pursuing ambitious carbon reduction targets, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is not only meeting today’s challenges but also shaping a more sustainable tomorrow. Its journey is a testament to the power of vision, strategy, and collective effort in driving meaningful environmental change.