Varex Imaging Corporation
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2017
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Inspiring Innovation
- Protecting the Environment
- Empowering People and Communities
- Acting with Integrity
Environmental Achievements
- LEED Gold Certification achieved for the expansion of global headquarters
- 8,002 X-ray tubes accepted for salvage/recycling
- 2,015 flat panel detectors returned for repair/upgrades
- 60 metric tons of metal recycled
- 43% waste diverted from landfill at manufacturing facilities (excluding Heerlen, Netherlands)
Social Achievements
- Launched Varex Code of Conduct
- Completed first materiality assessment
- Launched a new Sustainability Strategy
- Achieved a Net Promoter Score of 55
- 3,987 safety training sessions involving 1,813 employees
- 2,032 individuals received training (includes contractors and turnover)
- 122 employees participated in the U.S. Higher Education Tuition Reimbursement Program, $387,014 invested
- Women’s Interest Network launched
Governance Achievements
- Established Sustainability Strategy
- 1,960 individuals trained on Code of Conduct
- 100% of issues reported to Ethics Hotline assigned to investigators
- Updated Master Service Agreement and Contract terms to include provisions regarding human rights and conflict minerals
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve zero waste at manufacturing sites globally
- Achieve carbon neutrality by 2030
- Invest a percentage of profits in helping people develop their human potential, empowering youth, women, and minorities, and supporting health in communities where we operate
- 100% of new products to meet at least two Sustainable Innovation Criteria by 2018
- 100% of new products to meet three Sustainable Innovation Criteria by 2019
- Decrease energy intensity by revenue by 5% by 2018
- Reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 5% by 2018
- Improve customer response rate by Account Managers contacting 100% of active customers by 2018
- Address 100% of feedback received in 2018 and yearly going forward
- Unify global operations to a single quality management system by 2019
- Develop a Community Giving Strategy by 2017
- Roll out Community Giving Program in the U.S. by 2018 and globally by 2019
- Develop a scholarship program for underserved STEM students by 2017
- Award scholarships to underserved STEM students by 2018 and going forward
- Increase involvement through sponsorship and community events with STEM groups by 2018
- Sign onto the UN Global Compact (UNGC) and review policies and processes against the UNGC reporting requirements by 2018
- Incorporate sustainability and human rights measures into the Production Supplier Quality Program by 2018
- Train the Strategic Sourcing Team on human rights, environmental impact, and conflict minerals by 2018
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain risks related to human rights, conflict minerals, and environmental compliance
- Data gaps for non-U.S. manufacturing sites
- Need to improve data reliability and quality
- Need to further institutionalize sustainability processes
Mitigation Strategies
- Formalizing supply chain management processes and priorities
- Developing a strategic supplier audit program
- Developing a conflict minerals policy and report
- Planning to establish a formal governance structure in 2018, overseen by a Sustainability Committee
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier quality program based on UN Global Compact principles
- Updated Master Service Agreement incorporating human rights and conflict minerals issues
- New Purchase Order Terms and Conditions including ethical conduct, anti-corruption, and other material issues
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option
Certifications: LEED Gold
Third-party Assurance: DNV GL
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17
The strategy has been informed by – and shapes our contribution to – the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- New products meeting Sustainable Innovation Criteria
Awards & Recognition
- ChamberWest Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business of the Year
- 2017 Utah Manufacturer of the Year Award
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Inspiring Innovation
- Protecting the Environment
- Empowering People and Communities
- Acting with Integrity
Environmental Achievements
- 7.6 metric tons of GHG emissions reductions from 2017 to 2019
- 1,144 short tons of waste diverted from landfill
- 9,437 tubes returned for recycling
- 15% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions vs. 2018
- Installed high-efficiency windows in our Liverpool, NY, office
Social Achievements
- No work-related fatalities in 2019
- 74 employees enrolled in the Education Stipend program in 2019
- $3,000 invested in scholarships with local high schools
- Over 100 participants in the 2019 mentoring program
- 29 interns accepted across global operations in 2019
Governance Achievements
- 100% of reports to the Ethics Hotline investigated
- 99% of employees trained on the Code of Conduct
- 3 of our largest and key suppliers involved in the Supplier Engagement program
- Globally, Varex’s facilities are MDSAP certified
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Achieve carbon neutrality
- Reduce the need for raw materials by designing our products for recycling and reuse
- Invest a percentage of profits in helping people develop their human potential, empowering youth, women, and minorities, and supporting health in communities where we operate
- Zero waste; work toward the circular economy
- Continue to improve and reduce our water use across our global manufacturing operations
- Develop a closed-loop water process
- Innovate our products in collaboration with our customers to become more environmentally sustainable, guided by our Sustainable Innovation Criteria
- Conduct life-cycle assessments (LCA) of our products to better understand their environmental impact
Environmental Challenges
- Reducing GHG emissions across the supply chain, manufacturing, and distribution.
- Managing the environmental impact of raw materials and waste.
- Ensuring ethical sourcing and responsible supply chain practices.
- Maintaining high product quality and safety standards.
- Meeting evolving customer needs and expectations.
Mitigation Strategies
- Developing product-transportation processes to favor shipping over air freight to reduce GHG emissions.
- Transitioning toward a closed-loop manufacturing process to reduce resource waste.
- Working with suppliers to identify ways to eliminate unnecessary packaging and use more recyclable alternatives.
- Regularly auditing key suppliers to ensure compliance with ethical and environmental standards.
- Implementing a Solutions in Sight™ program to optimize customer interactions and gather feedback for product development.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 3 key suppliers audited in 2019
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct, ESG considerations in supplier selection and contracts, conflict mineral reporting
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Developing more energy-efficient products and processes
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option
Certifications: MDSAP
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
The report mentions alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals but doesn't specify which goals.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Energy-efficient detectors, products designed for recyclability and reuse
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Inspiring Innovation
- Protecting the Environment
- Empowering People and Communities
- Acting with Integrity
Environmental Achievements
- 24% reduction in GHG emissions from 2019 to 2020
- 5,442 X-ray tubes accepted for recycling in 2020
- 1,150 tons of waste recycled in 2020
- 263,892 m3 of water used in 2020 (2019: 3,898,232 m3)
Social Achievements
- Implemented COVID-19 pay policy for employees with the virus or in quarantine
- Launched or expanded several wellbeing services for employees
- Introduced an internal global Employee Net Promoter Score (ENPS)
- Supported several local organizations through philanthropy
- Supported a local orphanage in the Philippines
Governance Achievements
- 100% of reports to the ethics hotline investigated
- 96% of employees trained on the Code of Conduct
- Developed a new ethical compliance training program
Climate Goals & Targets
- Zero manufacturing waste and carbon neutrality by 2030
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic impacted environmental efforts and required rapid adaptations to remote work
- Supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic
Mitigation Strategies
- Shifted to remote work where possible
- Implemented enhanced health and safety measures
- Accelerated production to meet increased demand for CT technologies
- Implemented a “milk run” delivery process to optimize transport efficiency
- Transitioned several products for the energy sector from analogue X-ray films to digital imaging processes
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct, ESG performance vetting of suppliers
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: DNV GL
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Strategy is informed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- X-ray tubes with Liquid Metal Bearing (LMB) technology
- Generation 5 flat panel detectors (4343W)
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Business ethics and Code of Conduct
- Product quality and safety
- Environmental impact of products and services
- Employee recruitment, development, and training
- Employee engagement, wellbeing, and retention
- Supply chain management
- Ethical marketing
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Risk management
Environmental Achievements
- Over 70% of waste diverted from landfill
- Expanded program to recapture sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
- Expanded nitrogen generation plant to reduce liquid nitrogen deliveries
- Identified opportunity to reuse methanol for groundwater decontamination
Social Achievements
- Implemented new health and safety software for incident reporting
- Supported more than 50 employees with over $190,000 in tuition reimbursement
- Developed a new onboarding program
- Enhanced ethical compliance training for managers
- Announced expansion of paid time off (PTO) to 15 days per employee
- 95%+ of employees completed training during 2022
Governance Achievements
- Enhanced ethical compliance training for managers
- Began gathering data on second and third-tier suppliers
- Maintained Board diversity with 50% women or ethnically diverse members
Climate Goals & Targets
- Zero manufacturing waste
- Carbon neutrality
- Not disclosed
- Reduce direct energy use
- Improve indirect energy use
- Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions
- Decrease emissions across global operations
Environmental Challenges
- Inflationary pressures
- Ongoing supply chain disruptions
- Climate change impacts (physical and transition risks)
- Potential restrictions on raw materials
- Rising energy costs
- Acute and chronic physical risks at various sites (flooding, hurricanes, water scarcity)
Mitigation Strategies
- Supply chain localization strategy
- Business continuity plans at all sites
- SF6 recapture process
- Increased use of ocean freight
- Expanded nitrogen generation plant
- Exploring alternative energy sources
- Innovating to find more efficient production methods
- Exploring opportunities to shift away from air freight
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Regular on-site audits of Tier 1 suppliers
Responsible Procurement
- Third-party Responsible Business Code of Conduct Policy
- Annual supplier training
- Conflict Minerals Policy
- Data collection on second and third-tier suppliers
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
- Flooding
- Hurricanes
- Rising sea levels
- Water scarcity
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Restrictions on raw materials
- Higher energy costs
Opportunities
- Increased demand for products supporting EV battery technology
- New markets in waste management
- Expansion of industrial applications
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, TCFD, SASB
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 27000
Third-party Assurance: Deloitte & Touche LLP (GHG emissions)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- X-ray detector for EV battery inspections
- Photon counting detectors
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Economic
- Environmental
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- 5,617 end-of-life X-ray tubes returned with approximately 95% of the material recycled or reused
- 59% waste diversion rate (775 tons recycled out of 1315 tons of waste)
Social Achievements
- Implemented paternity leave in 2018 in addition to maternity leave; 100% of employees maintained their current role at an equivalent grade when they returned from leave
- 48 employees participated in tuition reimbursement program, reimbursing $197K in tuition
Governance Achievements
- Annual self-assessment of the board of directors
- No incidents of non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic areas
Climate Goals & Targets
Environmental Challenges
- Data limitations due to Works Council restrictions (data only available for about 2,000 employees)
- Difficulty in measuring mass and volume of materials due to a large and complicated supply chain
- Lack of data on foreign government financial assistance
- Ongoing development of methods to better monitor other Scope 3 emissions
- Early phase of developing a more robust system to assess social impacts in the supply chain
Mitigation Strategies
- Working to collect more comprehensive employee data in coming years
- Working on developing full disclosure on all materials incorporated in products
- Will look to disclose data on foreign government financial assistance next year
- Continuing to develop methods to better monitor other Scope 3 emissions
- Adding human rights criteria (including prevention of child labor and forced labor) into Supplier Quality program
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 100% of new suppliers screened using environmental criteria (REACH, WEEE, etc.)
Responsible Procurement
- Master Services Agreements and purchase order terms and conditions include environmental criteria
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI
Third-party Assurance: ERM