Participant in UN Global Compact
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations are recognised as the most important global objectives for sustainable growth. The 17 SDGs were published in September 2015 in conjunction with the UN’s Agenda 2030. They formulate the central challenges and resolutions for a global sustainability policy and thereby define a framework for sustainable social, cultural and economic development. As part of the global value chain, the Koenig & Bauer Group also has an impact on economic, ecological and social developments – in some cases directly and substantially, in others only indirectly and marginally. Koenig & Bauer joined the UN Global Compact initiative in 2021. We affirm our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, work actively to observe the defined standards in all business processes, and also call on our suppliers to make a similar commitment. Koenig & Bauer has identified seven of these SDGs as key targets for its own strategic sustainability initiatives:
#3 Good health and well-being
#4 Quality education
#5 Gender equality
#8 Decent work and economic growth
#12 Responsible consumption and production
#13 Climate action
#17 Partnerships for the goals.
These are the areas where we see the greatest potential for leverage within our sphere of influence and activity.
Partner of the Blue Competence sustainability initiative (VDMA)
We are a partner of the Blue Competence sustainability initiative. Blue Competence is an initiative of the VDMA aimed at promoting sustainability in the mechanical and plant engineering sector, while at the same time informing the industry about relevant sustainable solutions. As a partner company, we undertake to comply with twelve sustainability guidelines defined for the mechanical and plant engineering industry.
Preamble
Our understanding of forward-looking sustainability is based on the principles of economic success, fairness, and respect & responsibility, and encompasses the dimensions of society, ecology & economy. We understand sustainable action holistically in the sense of the definition of the Brundtland Report (1) and the definition of the Council for Sustainable Development (2) in Germany.
Strategic:
1. Sustainability is an essential part of our corporate strategy.
2. We create stable values and secure entrepreneurial success with sustainable business models.
3. Our technologies and solutions promote worldwide sustainable developments.
Operative:
4. Sustainable thinking and action are represented in our processes and products.
5. We act with consideration for resources and stand up for climate protection.
6. Our employees are our most valuable asset. We promote a sense of commitment and opportunities for participation.
7. We are committed to respecting human rights.
Cultural:
8. Our company is a living space.
9. We assume social responsibility in our regions.
10. We do what we promise to do.
Communicative:
11. We maintain an active exchange with all stakeholders.
12. We communicate our sustainable actions transparently.
1 “Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (Brundtland Report, 1987)
2 “Sustainable development means taking environmental considerations into account on an equal footing with social and economic considerations. So doing business in a sustainable way means leaving an intact ecological and economic fabric for our children and grandchildren.” (Council for Sustainable Development, 2001)
Member of Healthy Printing Initiative
In July 2021, Koenig & Bauer became the first printing press manufacturer to join the Healthy Printing Initiative. The pivotal idea of the initiative is to advance the implementation of the cradle-to-cradle design concept (C2C) in the print industry. The goal is, accordingly, to promote the use of eco-friendly substrates, inks, coatings and process consumables for the printing of paper, carton, corrugated board, plastics and other products, and ultimately to make recycling systems that are more efficient possible.
Member of the 4evergreen alliance
The aim of the 4evergreen alliance is to promote a circular economy for fibre-based packaging through cooperation along the entire value chain. The alliance seeks to perfect its communication of the benefits of fibre-based packaging materials as alternative solutions, and campaigns for harmonised, EU-wide product design guidelines to promote recyclability and provide support with optimising collection systems, and recycling infrastructures and technologies. To this end, 4evergreen maintains a networking platform for paper and board manufacturers, folding carton producers, brand owners and retailers, technology and material suppliers, and the collection, sorting and recycling branch.
Member of the Holy Grail 2.0 project
Under the auspices of the European brand association AIM, more than 120 companies and organisations from across the packaging value chain are pooling their expertise to achieve an ambitious goal: they are examining whether digital technology can contribute to better sorting and higher-quality recycling for packaging in the EU, as a step towards a truly efficient circular economy. Digital watermarks the size of a postage stamp, printed on the surface of packaging, are seen as a highly promising approach. Apart from their function as a “digital recycling passport”, they could also be useful in other areas, such as customer retention, supply chain visibility and retail operations. As a member of this sustainability initiative, we are contributing to the efforts to find a joint solution for smart packaging recycling.
BnEI membership
Koenig & Bauer is also involved in efforts to combat corruption. As a founding member of the Banknote Ethics Initiative (BnEI), Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions undertakes to uphold strict conduct and transparency standards. Since being founded in 2013, the BnEI has established a strict Code of Ethical Business Practice with a focus on the prevention of corruption and on compliance with anti-trust law in relation to banknote printing and trading. The principles developed are not only honoured by the members of the BnEI, but also shared by a majority of the world’s central banks and banknote printers, for whom they are an integral element of purchasing processes. Further information can be found at https://banknote-solutions.koenig-bauer.com/en/about-us/compliance/ & http://www.bnei.com/
Integrity Fund
In the security and banknote printing industry in particular, the promotion of ethical conduct, transparency and compliance is an important focus of our activities. Through the KBA-NotaSys Integrity Fund, established in 2017, Koenig & Bauer sponsors international projects relating to the ongoing development of compliance processes and practices. The fund can award grants of up to €1 million per year. More than 30 projects being implemented by universities, associations and institutes have received such support to date. Further information can be found at
https://www.integrityfund.ch/