Dürr AG

05/06/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/06/2021 05:14

Dürr Group publishes sustainability report in accordance with GRI standards for the first time

Bietigheim-Bissingen, May 6, 2021-The Dürr Group is becoming even more transparent on the topic of sustainability and published a sustainability report in accordance with the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for the first time today. The 72-page report provides detailed information on the mechanical and plant engineering firm's five fields of action in the area of sustainability. In addition, it contains specific sustainability goals for the coming years.

Sustainability is a central component of the Dürr Group strategy. Customers are increasingly paying attention to criteria such as energy efficiency, emissions and material consumption when purchasing machinery and equipment. 'The trend towards sustainability opens up new business opportunities for us, since our technologies help customers reduce their ecological footprint. At the same time, we want to actively assume our responsibility towards environment, society and employees,' says Dr. Jochen Weyrauch, Deputy CEO of Dürr AG and responsible for sustainability.

The new sustainability report stands for an extended and more in-depth reporting. For example, it provides information on the CO2 intensity of the Dürr Group in the 'Value Creation & Supply Chain' field of action. From 2018 to 2020, CO2 emissions per EUR 1 million of sales were reduced by over 13%, while electricity consumption fell by 7%. The report also contains specific information on the four other fields of action in the area of sustainability, which are Management & Governance, Products & Services, Employees & Qualification, and Engagement & Society.

Among the specific sustainability goals mentioned for the first time in the new report is the definition of a climate strategy. It is to be published in the course of this year and will contain reduction targets for the Dürr Group's CO2 emissions. Other goals relate to areas such as occupational safety, customer satisfaction and the evaluation of suppliers on the basis of social and environmental criteria. In addition, the Dürr Group is working on a sponsoring concept to promote social entrepreneurial initiatives. At the same time, the listed company intends to quickly meet the requirements of the EU's new sustainable finance taxonomy. It is a sort of sustainability certificate for business enterprises, which is intended to promote investment in 'green' technologies, thus accelerating the achievement of environmental policy goals.

The new → Dürr sustainability report is available in German and English. It meets the requirements of the 'Core' option of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), whose standards are used worldwide and, particularly in Europe, represent the predominant set of rules for sustainability reporting.

The Dürr Group is one of the world's leading mechanical and plant engineering firms with extensive expertise in automation and digitalization/Industry 4.0. Its products, systems and services enable highly efficient and resource-saving manufacturing processes in different industries. The Dürr Group supplies sectors like the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, chemical, pharmaceutical, medical technology and woodworking industries. It generated sales of € 3.32 billion in 2020. The company has more than 17,000 employees and 120 business locations in 33 countries. Since February 2021, the majority-owned automation specialist Teamtechnik has also been part of the Group. The Group operates in the market with the brands Dürr, Schenck and HOMAG and with five divisions:

  • Paint and Final Assembly Systems: paint shops as well as final assembly, testing and filling technology for the automotive industry, assembly and test systems for medical devices
  • Application Technology: robot technologies for the automated application of paint, sealants and adhesives
  • Clean Technology Systems: air pollution control, noise abatement systems and coating systems for battery electrodes
  • Measuring and Process Systems: balancing equipment and diagnostic technology
  • Woodworking Machinery and Systems: machinery and equipment for the woodworking industry

This publication has been prepared independently by Dürr AG/Dürr group. It may contain statements which address such key issues as strategy, future financial results, events, competitive positions and product developments. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to those described in disclosures of Dürr AG, in particular in the chapter 'Risks' in the annual report of Dürr AG. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties and other factors materialize, or should underlying expectations not occur or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performances or achievements of the Dürr group may vary materially from those described in the relevant forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by words such as 'expect,' 'want,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'believe,' 'seek,' 'estimate,' 'will,' 'project' or words of similar meaning. Dürr AG neither intends, nor assumes any obligation, to update or revise its forward-looking statements regularly in light of developments which differ from those anticipated. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies.

Our financial reports, presentations, press releases and ad-hoc releases may include alternative financial metrics. These metrics are not defined in the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards). Net assets, financial position and results of operations of the Dürr group should not be assessed solely on the basis of these alternative financial metrics. Under no circumstances do they replace the performance indicators presented in the consolidated financial statements and calculated in accordance with the IFRS. The calculation of alternative financial metrics may vary from company to company despite the use of the same terminology. Further information regarding the alternative financial metrics used at Dürr AG can be found in our → financial glossary on the web page.