Environment

Environmental protection is an important priority for STILL. The company is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its operations through its HSE management system and places a particular emphasis on the responsible of use of resources and protection of local environments. Its indicator-based approach to environmental management focuses on the areas of energy and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as water and waste.

Under the company’s integrated HSE management system—which covers health and safety in the workplace, the environment, and energy—the Management Board and all managers are required wherever possible to: introduce environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient processes and production procedures; reduce waste; use natural resources such as water, land, and raw materials sparingly and responsibly; avoid and reduce contamination of the air, water network, and soil; and make active efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

All STILL sites in the EMEA region have committed to uphold the Group-wide HSE Standard. Some sites have also developed their own additional strategies in line with local requirements. To support these efforts, a designated HSE officer has been appointed for each national subsidiary.

A key sustainability target set out in KION’s corporate strategy is to achieve ISO 14001 (environmental management) certification for all sites by 2024. All production locations and almost all sales organizations are currently certified in line with the latest environmental standards (ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and/or DIN EN 16247). Regular audits provide transparency around the actions taken and the foundation for further improving sustainability efforts. All relevant energy and environmental management data are also recorded as part of the established HSE management system, thereby supporting effective sustainability management across STILL EMEA.

STILL has set itself the target of increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption per truck. To this end, the company is focusing on renewables and electric vehicles, as well options to optimize the lighting technology in use across its sites. Work has already begun to switch the company’s lighting systems over LED technology and install motion sensors at workstations.

In addition, STILL has completely revamped the energy systems at its administrative building in Hamburg and taken advantage of the increased efficiency of the city’s district heating network to significantly improve its energy footprint and cut its greenhouse gas emissions. Staff are also reminded to use energy responsibly and reduce their energy consumption as part of their mandatory HSE training each year.

Shorter transport distances are also helping to reduce the company’s energy consumption. For instance, customers in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Austria are now supplied directly from the warehouse at the new regional service center in Brno in the Czech Republic. The new center has enabled STILL to optimize its transport routes and delivery times and, in doing so, has brought the company closer to its customers as well as further reducing its response times and increasing the availability of its products.

Finally, STILL’s energy-intensive production locations are now all certified to ISO 50001 (energy management) and undergo regular audits as part of the certification cycle.

STILL ensures that all machinery in use at its premises meets the criteria set out in the German ordinance on industrial health and safety (BetrSichV) and the ordinance on installations for handling water-polluting substances (AwSV). It also carries out regular inspections and monitoring of this machinery.

The company’s plants around the world have measures in place to reduce water consumption, e.g. issuing instructions to staff and only washing company vehicles when strictly necessary. In addition, the powder-coating system used in STILL plants is a state-of-the-art model that generates less wastewater. Automated water treatment processes and technologies help to reduce environmental pollution by reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds. The paint used for the powder-coating is also generally a dry granular powder, which reduces the volume of contaminated wastewater. Plus, this technique uses significantly less water overall than other coating methods.

STILL’s operations have very little impact on water quality, to the extent that—other than the use of oil water separators—the wastewater needs no additional treatment prior to disposal. Regardless of this fact, STILL takes regular monthly samples of the wastewater from its Hamburg production site. These samples are analyzed internally and externally and the results (volumes and treatment methods) are monitored through an internal reporting system.

The key performance indicators for water withdrawal and wastewater are shown in the table.

As part of international efforts to limit global warning and address the many challenges associated with climate change, STILL and its partners must also take proactive and forward-thinking action to protect the world’s climate. The company works closely with its customers, suppliers, and business partners in many different areas—including energy consumption, efficient use of resources, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation initiatives—to ensure that it is making a difference within its own operations and beyond.

Climate and energy management policy within the KION Group is based on the Paris Agreement adopted at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. The Group has committed to achieving the science-based target of reducing its energy-related greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) by 30% by 2027 in comparison to 2017 levels. In 2021, the Group also began a major project to overhaul its existing climate strategy.

A key interim outcome from this project is a new set of strategic targets that are fully aligned with the current criteria defined by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In addition to expanding the scope of the Group’s climate targets to include additional Scope 3 emissions, the Group has also adopted the SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard as the basis for its target-setting, in order to limit global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels in line with the Paris Agreement. A final resolution on these targets will be made by the boards of the KION Group in the near future.

Under the new targets, the KION Group plans to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2030 (near-term) and continue on the path to achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest (long-term, Scopes 1, 2, and 3). Its strategy includes both carbon dioxide (CO₂)—by far its biggest contributor—and other greenhouse gas emissions such as methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride, wherever applicable and viable. The new targets also bring the Group in line with new regulations such as the European Green Deal and the EU Taxonomy.

To facilitate the effective and efficient management of its greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage, the Group has introduced a comprehensive climate management system which covers both its own operations and other parts of its wider value chain—from production to the use phase and even re-use at the end of the current product life span. Data on greenhouse gas emissions is collected and presented within the system in accordance with the internationally recognized Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

With respect to Scopes 1 and 2, the KION Group is working to further reduce emissions and energy consumption within its own operations by improving processes and introducing energy-efficient technologies. This includes a combination of ongoing initiatives introduced as part of local energy or environmental management systems (for example, switching to energy-efficient motors and waste heat recovery in production, optimizing heating systems and building infrastructure, introducing LED lighting technology, and optimizing transport routes for sales and service) and centralized initiatives, such as efforts to convert the company’s own vehicle fleet to low-carbon drive technologies, source more energy from renewables, and explore additional self generation options for renewable energy.

Efforts to reduce Scope 3 emissions are based on the categories identified as part of a materiality analysis. By far the biggest of these categories—and therefore the priority for action—are the emissions generated by the company’s products during the use phase. In addition to improving the product design, the company also educates customers about sustainability factors to consider when choosing a product, ways they can use their products more energy-efficiently, and their options for switching to renewables. The second biggest category—and another key focus alongside Scope 1 and 2 emissions—are emissions from purchased goods and services, i.e. those emissions associated with suppliers and materials. To enable it to address its top Scope 3 emissions categories, the KION Group is gradually introducing findings from life cycle analyses; data on materials, suppliers, and customers; and engagement initiatives involving partners across the value chain (for more information, see KION Sustainability Report 2022).

[1] Indirect (upstream) fuel and energy-based greenhouse gas emissions

Measures to Cut CO₂ Emissions

In addition to reducing its own greenhouse emissions, STILL also offsets its emissions through climate protection certificates (or carbon credits). The company purchases these certificates and supports associated climate protection projects in partnership with the sustainability consultancy Swiss Climate.

With one certificate alone, STILL offset 26,475 metric tons of CO₂ emissions and supported a project that generates renewable energy from sawdust—a waste product from the production of raw material for the paper industry. The sawdust is used as biomass for generating steam, which in turn generates the power needed for the production of more raw material – thus creating a circular system with the potential to gradually replace fossil fuels as an energy source. This biomass project is also one of only a few climate protection projects in Europe to be awarded the ‘Gold Standard’.

Another offsetting project supported by STILL is ‘PLANT-MY-TREE’. One of the areas to be regenerated as part of this project is a reforestation area in Hohenaspe, near Itzehoe in northern Germany, where the first of 1000 trees was planted in 2020. This tree and others will continue to grow and absorb harmful emissions for at least 100 years as part of ‘STILL’s woodland’. Moreover, customers at two of the company’s main branches in Hanover and Bielefeld can get involved. Each time these customers order a new electric forklift truck as a replacement for an internal combustion truck, they receive a personalized tree planting certificate as a token of thanks for their custom. They can then display this certificate at their premises as evidence that they are a company that takes its environmental responsibilities seriously.

In addition, all German companies within the KION Group offer their employees the opportunity to lease a bike as part of a pre-tax salary sacrifice scheme. These bikes can also be used outside of work. The bike scheme is a benefit requested by many staff and, at the same time, is an opportunity for STILL to promote sustainable transport more widely.

STILL is also taking action with respect to its fleet of company vehicles. In spring 2022, STILL Switzerland signed up to the DKV Climate Card from the DKV Mobility Group, meaning that 90% of the company’s vehicle refueling in Switzerland is now climate neutral. STILL Nordic Markets (Denmark, Sweden, and Norway) also introduced a new regulation in 2022, which stipulates that all company vehicles must be hybrid or electric.

Most of STILL’s premises are located in industrial areas where there are no local residents. Ongoing checks and measurements have confirmed that no external soundproofing is required; however STILL does have internal noise reduction measures in place. Noise levels are assessed across all workplaces and the health and safety and environmental protection department maintains and regularly updates a register of noise measurements taken. Risk analyses are conducted to identify the most effective measures to protect employees against noise-induced hearing loss, including warning signs displayed across all production sites and ear defenders supplied free of charge. Acoustic enclosures are also erected around loud machinery and soundproofing walls installed.

In addition, STILL’s iron foundry—Eisengießerei Dinklage GmbH—is subject to strict licensing conditions, including the installation of high-performance filter systems to minimize the amount of particulate matter entering the atmosphere and local surroundings.

Under the Group-wide HSE Standard, all local Group companies—including STILL—must have processes in place for recycling and re-using their waste. Refurbishing trucks for re-sale is a positive solution for many reasons, not least the fact that it saves valuable resources and reduces waste. Used trucks are therefore playing an increasingly important role in STILL’s sustainability strategy, since they significantly reduce the company’s CO₂ emissions and, in turn, its carbon footprint.

In the 2022 reporting year, STILL EMEA put around 12,000 used trucks back into circulation. If the trucks are not suitable for re-sale by STILL, another reputable KION Group company—BlackForxx—markets them to third party dealers worldwide.

STILL also offers its customers the opportunity to rent trucks in order to cover peak production periods, help with events, or replace trucks that are out of service. In fact, many companies are increasingly turning to rental options as a way of using resources more responsibly – modern fleet management without a fleet!

Another important focus for STILL in terms of using resources responsibly is to find ways to replace critical materials and hazardous substances with less critical and hazardous alternatives. This applies to both raw materials and the operating materials used in production that are not part of the end product itself. For instance, in recent years, the hazardous substance methylene chloride, which was typically used for cleaning out paint sprayers, has been replaced with a less hazardous alternative. Likewise, the company’s painting lines are now cleaned down using a less hazardous product.

In addition, STILL Hamburg has two ongoing projects aimed at reducing its material consumption, including its use of hazardous substances: The first is to substitute the lead used in the soldering processes for its mechatronics work and the second is to switch from single-use spray cans to reusable spray cans in its maintenance work.

Waste Disposal

STILL is consistently working to cut its waste volumes, notably by reducing the amount of packaging in use.

In line with the KION HSE Standard, different types of waste are separated into clearly labeled containers that can be easily accessed by large refuse collection vehicles. The waste disposal area is suitably equipped and has warning signs in place to prevent waste from being blown around the site in bad weather and mitigate against leaching and contamination of the soil in case of heavy rainfall.

The waste disposal company contracted by STILL Hamburg provides the following recycling and disposal services in accordance with the German Circular Economy Act (KrWG):

• Recycling and recovery of organic waste
• Reprocessing of sludge and residue from kitchen grease trap
• Recycling and recovery of inorganic waste—i.e. reprocessing of slurry and emulsion from operating processes
• Waste exchange, so that the waste can be processed, e.g. conditioned or dried, and inputted into another end recycling or recovery system

All employees are also encouraged take play their part in reducing waste. For instance, RECUP and REBOWL, Germany’s largest reusable packaging system for take-away food and drink, is now in use at the company catering facilities at STILL Hamburg.

The mandatory HSE training completed by staff each year covers a range of environmental, climate, and energy management topics that are relevant for the business, including energy consumption, water usage, waste separation, and the risks posed by climate change.

The increased awareness of environmental issues among staff can be seen in the large numbers of environmental initiatives organized across the business:

• The Recycling Bunny visits STILL Switzerland every Easter to give staff ideas, tips, and suggestions for promoting sustainability and improving their health. Often people think, ‘how can my small actions help combat climate change?’ But the answer is simple: ‘Together we are stronger. Every one of us can do their bit, for example by always recycling our waste properly.’ If we recycle more, we don’t need to produce as many new materials – and that reduces emissions and saves lots of valuable natural resources.
• In March 2023, STILL employees were asked to donate their old cellphones, tablets, and accessories as part of World Recycling Day. Around 80% of the components in mobile phones can now be recycled and the materials re-used instead of extracting more resources from the natural world. The donated devices were used to support the ‘Handys für Hummel, Biene & Co’ [Cellphones for Bumble Bees & Co] initiative run by the German Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), which has been working since 2006 to promote professional cellphone recycling and ensure that the materials from electronic devices are fed back into the material cycle. A total of over 500 devices (cellphones, tablets, headphones, and power packs) were collected in the NABU boxes across the KION Group sites in Germany – STILL alone collected just under 200 cellphones plus accessories. This particular campaign focused on employees’ private cellphones, but STILL also has measures in place to tackle work cellphones and devices. For many years, the on-site support team have been collecting old and broken work cellphones at the company’s sites in Germany, and sending boxes full of devices to an external service provider for recycling or refurbishing.
• In 2022, STILL Poland launched its ‘A tree for a forklift’ campaign, which saw it commit to planting one tree for every truck sold during the calendar year. Since planting is only possible at two points in the year (during spring and fall), the environmental stats for the scheme are based on the total number of trees pledged, rather than the number actually planted to date. In total, the campaign has pledged to plant 4829 m² of woodland with the potential to absorb 26,106 kg CO₂ and offset 252,358 kg of paper consumption.

Idea Management

Idea management—i.e. the process of collecting suggestions from all staff in order to continually improve the business—has been a central fixture in STILL’s company culture for many years. The aim is to improve quality standards, productivity, and employee satisfaction across the company based on the insights and experiences of the whole staffing body. By tapping into these potential areas for improvement and incorporating them into its continual improvement process, the company can take action to improve its product and service portfolio, production and work processes, and working conditions—including health and safety and environmental standards—for the benefit of both the business and its employees. Ideas for improvement are assessed by an expert in the relevant field against a defined set of criteria and given a summary score, with prizes awarded for the best-scoring ideas.

In 2022, STILL ran its first idea management initiative with a focus on environmental sustainability. Employees were given three weeks to submit their suggestions for how to make KION more sustainable. The questions posed included: How can we reduce our energy consumption? How can we save on raw materials and components, or better re-use them as part of a closed-loop cycle? How can we optimize our supply chains and transport routes to make them more environmentally friendly? And, how can we reduce waste and improve recycling? A panel then selected the ten best suggestions and awarded prizes to the three ideas with the biggest environmental impact. A total of 354 employees submitted suggestions and in 2022 STILL put three of its staff’s ideas into practice. For example, it reduced the volume of plastic waste associated with the delivery of cylinders to its production sites by working together with the supplier to have the cylinders delivered in bundles, thereby reducing the amount of plastic packaging.