Sustainability is an indispensable topic for many companies today. The past few years have shown how important sustainability is, not only for the environment, but also for our company. Sustainability is no longer optional, but a necessity that presents us with challenges every day.
Rising energy prices, the shortage of skilled workers and the dramatic consequences of climate change show us the urgency of sustainable action. As a company, we don’t just want to react, we want to actively contribute to a positive future. Sustainability also serves our economic success by increasing our attractiveness as an employer and inspiring us to develop innovative energy concepts and use resources responsibly.
However, sustainability is not new territory for Lichtgitter. As an internationally oriented family business, we live by values such as loyalty, safety, cohesion and diversity. Our sustainable actions are a natural continuation and reinforcement of our long-standing traditions and values. Longevity and durability are not only part of our product promise, but also of our commitment to people and the environment.
Lichtgitter relies on PV systems, alternative energies and sustainable materials such as galvanized steel to minimize its carbon footprint
We promote diversity and inclusion, ensure safe working conditions and offer numerous health promotion and training programs.
As part of the transformation that our company has undergone in recent years, we have also taken into account the increased importance of sustainability: a principle that had previously been implicitly practiced has been given structure and strategic importance. In a double materiality analysis, we analyzed the sustainability issues relevant to Lichtgitter and their impact as well as the risk and opportunity perspectives. With the newly created position of Sustainability Manager in 2024 – based in our Quality Management department – we are ensuring that the topic is implemented and developed efficiently and in a structured manner throughout the company.
In addition to great opportunities, for example in terms of our attractiveness as an employer, sustainability also presents Lichtgitter with challenges. It is important to us not to reduce the topic to climate protection alone. Social sustainability in terms of occupational health and safety for our employees and diversity in the workforce are crucial issues at Lichtgitter. At the same time, reducing CO2 emissions presents us with an extremely challenging task. This is because only around ten percent of the emissions recorded for our carbon footprint are generated within the company itself and can be directly influenced by us, for example through thermal refurbishment or the use of renewable energies. As with all metal processing companies, the vast majority of emissions are caused by purchased materials. In order to achieve a reduction here and achieve zero emissions by 2045, we need to implement solutions together with the steel industry. The use of green or CO2-reduced steel is a promising option that we are currently expanding together with our partners.
State-of-the-art plant technology in our galvanizing plants and renovated production halls guarantee that our production processes only consume as much energy, as absolutely necessary.
We are actively following the development of CO₂-reduced recycled steel and "green" steel and have already implemented our first customer projects with it.
Photovoltaic systems with a total output of 2.24 MWp have been installed on the Lichtgitter Group's buildings in recent years
With powerful extraction technology and filter systems as well as the complete enclosure of the galvanizing processes, we keep the pollutant emissions of our systems as low as possible.
We continuously invest in a good working environment for our employees. In addition to training and further education, this also includes ergonomic design and occupational safety.
With our Code of Conduct and other guidelines on compliant behavior, we have clear standards for responsible conduct towards all our internal and external stakeholders.
Sustainability is not an abstract concept for us, but an everyday reality. In our sustainability stories, we show how we as a company take concrete responsibility – ecologically, socially and economically.
Whether it’s about supporting our employees, resource-conserving production processes or social commitment: our stories make visible what sustainability means at Lichtgitter – practical, credible and future-oriented.
With each story, we provide an insight into our measures, projects and initiatives – and show how we work together with our teams to create and preserve sustainability.
