Leading bathroom manufacturer Ideal Standard International has released its latest Sustainability Report for 2023, highlighting significant milestones and advancements made by the company towards a more sustainable future.
The comprehensive report, ‘Together for a Better Future’, updates progress on a raft of promises outlined in its first sustainability report, which covered the business operations in 2022.
Among the key achievements during 2023 were the reduction of company-wide CO2 emissions by 5,514 tonnes, equalling 5%, the removal of 41.5 tonnes of single-use plastic from product packaging, and the publication of 5,000 Environmental Product Declarations to ensure greater transparency for customers.
One milestone within these achievements was the fittings plant in Wittlich, Germany, hitting zero scope 2 emissions in 2023, with 100% of electricity produced from renewable sources, including an on-site solar campus made up of more than 3,000 photovoltaic panels.
The achievements were also supported by the launch of the EcoLogic development framework, which requires the use of sustainable supply chains and durable materials to create products that improve hygiene, water, and energy efficiency. This has led to the development of products such as the Alu+ showering range, which is free from more harmful materials like nickel, manufactured from 84% recycled aluminium and is water efficient while offering a superior showering experience.
During the year, the company also improved female recruitment in Europe by 7.5%, launched and completed a comprehensive supply chain due diligence program covering 80% of current direct group spend and secured health and safety certification to ISO 45001 for operations in the UK and the Czech Republic, meaning all plants across five countries have achieved the accreditation.
Ideal Standard International CEO Jan Peter Tewes said: “We’ve made a real impact against our goals set in 2022. I’m especially proud that we have continued to invest in improvements to manufacturing processes and the development of leading-edge products against the backdrop of an economic downturn.”
Ideal Standard rounded off 2023 by being awarded a silver medal by EcoVadis – the world’s largest provider of sustainability ratings – placing it in the top 25% of more than 85,000 companies evaluated globally. EcoVadis rated the company’s environmental performance as ‘advanced’.
Fatima Mimouni, head of ESG at Ideal Standard, added: “While we are proud of our achievements, we know there’s more to do, and we’re already working on a number of improvements. Our goals remain ambitious, yet we are confident that by fostering close collaboration with our partners and suppliers, we can face challenges head-on and truly make a meaningful impact.”
Ideal Standard’s overarching commitment – “Together for a better future” – is supported by three pillars: for better lives, for a better planet and for better business. These are further underscored by the company’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in areas including clean water and sanitation, gender equality and climate action.
View the report here.