PRINZHORN HOLDING GmbH
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:794,012 metric tonnes CO2 eq. (Scope 1); 388,702 metric tonnes CO2 eq. (Scope 2, market-based); 1,122,776 metric tonnes CO2 eq. (Scope 3)
Scope 1 Emissions:794,012 metric tonnes CO2 eq.
Scope 2 Emissions:388,702 metric tonnes CO2 eq.
Scope 3 Emissions:1,122,776 metric tonnes CO2 eq.
Renewable Energy Share:31.9%
Total Energy Consumption:4,239,917 MWh
Water Consumption:18,327,513 m3
Waste Generated:669,792 tons
Carbon Intensity:Not disclosed
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate protection
- Environmental protection and resource efficiency
- Empowering every employee to reach their full potential
- Customer centricity and governance
Environmental Achievements
- Investment of EUR 250 million in CO2 reduction measures, including construction of an RDF power plant and renewal of energy production from lignite to a gas turbine.
- Significant upgrades at two paper machines resulting in a 60–80% reduction in reject rates and fibre loss.
- Net waste reduction of 0.6 percentage points at Dunapack Packaging.
Social Achievements
- Launched LearnPlus, a voluntary e-learning platform offering employees the opportunity to expand their knowledge on various topics, including sustainability issues.
- Launched a Group-wide project to improve working conditions for production employees based on employee surveys, fluctuation trends and exit interviews.
- Implemented a division-wide occupational health and safety directive at Hamburger Recycling.
Governance Achievements
- Joined the United Nations Global Compact.
- Established a quarterly ESG Board, a comprehensive ESG Ambassador Programme and the Group-wide ESG Academy.
- Implemented a whistleblower system.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
- Install and utilize photovoltaic panels across all depots by 2026 where technically and economically possible.
- Increase the biogenic content of refuse-derived fuels; Invest in renewable energy sources.
Short-term Goals:
- Finalizing Corporate Carbon Footprint calculation; Assessing levers for decarbonization; Submitting Science Based Targets to SBTi for validation.
Environmental Challenges
- Increased operational expenses caused by rising energy prices.
- Reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels.
- Contribution to global warming through CO2 emissions.
- Fragile supply chains susceptible to disruptions as a result of the impacts of climate change.
- Lack of attractiveness as an employer.
- Reputational damage and the risk of business interruption in the event of non-compliance with business-related legislation.
Mitigation Strategies
- Increasing energy efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
- Implementing energy management systems.
- Developing a comprehensive decarbonization roadmap.
- Commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
- Improving working conditions for production employees.
- Implementing a Group-wide Code of Conduct, a Group tax guideline and a whistleblower system.
- Conducting regular educational updates on local tax matters at Dunapack Packaging.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- FSC® certifications; EN 643 compliance; Supplier checks, including assessments related to international trade sanctions.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Diminishing availability of water resulting from periods of drought; Heightened cooling demands stemming from the effects of global warming
Transition Risks
- Increased operational expenses caused by rising energy prices; Reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels; Contribution to global warming through CO2 emissions; Fragile supply chains susceptible to disruptions as a result of the impacts of climate change.
Opportunities
- Further increasing energy efficiency; Embracing energy self-sufficiency through the incineration of biogenic waste; Enhancing the use of renewable energy sources to reduce environmental impact; Optimizing heat production efficiency; Possible future hydrogen (H2) usage; Capture and utilization of CO2 emissions (CCS / CCU).
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, ESRS draft requirements
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, EMAS, FSC®
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 3 – Good health and well-being
- 4 – Quality education
- 7 – Affordable and clean energy
- 8 – Decent work and economic growth
- 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- 12 – Responsible consumption and production
- 13 – Climate action
- 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions
Prinzhorn’s material topics across the value chain are aligned with these SDGs.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- SpreeGips Plasterboard Liner with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Awards & Recognition
- EcoVadis Bronze Medal (Hamburger Containerboard)