With concept and in action: Sustainable into the future

In the last decade, the concept of quality has changed considerably. It is not simply quality per se, but sustainable quality that should reconcile the demands of economy, ecology and society. Sustainability has thus taken on a central role in corporate activities. We are convinced that sustainability is not just a passing fad in management theory. Sustainability is also not a state of affairs, but an attitude, an approach with a view to the whole. Not just an advisable strategy, but a necessary one for the future.

In our SQS practice we notice: The philosophy has arrived. The term is increasingly being understood correctly. Sustainability is not simply 'an effect that lasts for a long time', but sustainability as defined by the UN Brundtland Commission in 1987 as 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and choose their own lifestyles'. SQS itself follows this line and attaches central importance to sustainability - in word and in deed.

Numerous organisations have been working successfully on implementation for some time. And they are doing so through voluntary self-regulation. This takes place in small steps here, in large projects there. SQS observes and checks this in auditing. Sustainability pioneers not only provide information about what they are doing, but also seek verifiable dialogue with the public about their attitude and the projects they have implemented. The following three practical cases are exemplary.

Implenia AG: Building with a sustainability strategy

Implenia's brand symbol - the meadow flower - has recently been given a deeper meaning. Implenia is consistently committed to sustainability - with a holistic strategy that can be seen in the "schorenstadt" project in Basel. Markus Koschenz, member of Implenia's Operational Sustainability Committee:

Motif

What the building industry does or does not do has a decisive influence on sustainable development. For example, buildings are responsible for 30 % of greenhouse gas emissions or 40 % of national energy consumption. Directly or indirectly, the sector has an impact on 1,700,000 buildings, 70,000 km of roads or 5,000 km of railways. But our industry also causes 54,000 accidents at work every year. These facts give rise to potential, be it in climate protection, for new concepts in dealing with demographic change, for the topic of safety, but also for the development of skilled workers.

Future viability as a strategy

According to Implenia, a sustainable company must have five key areas of focus: sustainable products and services, an attractive working environment, respect for the environment, social commitment and compliance, and financial excellence.

This concept enables Implenia to support a building throughout its entire life cycle.

Implementation in the core business

Implenia aims to create buildings that are marketable in the long term, generate an appropriate return, create a social environment both indoors and outdoors, have no negative impact on users and use natural resources sparingly. This is a challenge for architects, planners, builders and entrepreneurs alike. It requires the personal commitment of each individual. Resource efficiency on the construction sites, the efficient use of machinery, or, for example, the improvement of occupational safety are also pieces of the puzzle in everyday operations.

Sustainability strategy takes hold

The "schorenstadt" project in Basel is an example of implementation. We are generally on course. Every employee is aware that our actions have an impact on the environment, society and the economy. In recent years, we have succeeded in further developing our portfolio of sustainable products and services. We have become a more attractive employer for our employees. We have been able to make our organisation even more aware of the need to treat the environment with care. As a market leader, we have recognized our responsibility to expand our social commitment and position the topic of compliance accordingly. Finally, in terms of financial excellence, we achieved first-class results and created significant value. But we are not there yet! For example, in the important area of occupational safety. That's why Implenia has taken extensive measures in this area for the next two years. To achieve these, we need to mobilise both our organisation and all our stakeholders even more strongly for our sustainability strategy.

Sika: Innovation drives growth and sustainability

As world market leader in the area of chemical building materials, Sika continuously taps growth potential with innovations, quality and service. Customers are thus enabled to improve the efficiency, durability and aesthetics of buildings, infrastructures, plants and vehicles - sustainably and safely. Christian Fischer, Head of Production, Engineering and Quality; Dr. Matthias Hofmann- Kamensky, Head of Corporate EHS & Sustainability and Klaus Strixner, Manager Corporate Communications: "Sika feels particularly committed to sustainable development. The company lives up to its responsibility: with sustainable solutions for energy-efficient construction and fuel-efficient vehicles; and with numerous measures within the Group - in economic, social and ecological respects. This commitment is embedded in an SQS-certified management system that meets the requirements of ISO 9001 Quality Management; ISO 14001 Environmental Management; OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety; and ISO 50001 Energy Management".

With innovation and adaptation to sustainability

Under the motto "Increase benefits and reduce negative impacts" the company has defined six strategic goals in the areas of sustainable solutions, economic performance, communities/society, energy, waste/water and safety. With products, systems and solutions Sika seeks to create a benefit for stakeholders that far outweighs the disadvantages associated with production and resource requirements. With product innovations megatrends flow into medium-term development roadmaps. In addition to technical aspects, these roadmaps also track sustainability trends (e.g. energy, water, material efficiency) in relation to the life cycle of the products.

Customers reward commitment to sustainability

Product sustainability is closely linked to a premium claim. For this reason alone technology and sustainability are a unity for Sika from a strategic point of view. The technology of the products makes up the added value of the performance. Customers are aware of this added value and honor it. Some 17 000 employees in 91 countries worldwide connect customers directly with Sika.

Worldwide controlling network

Indicators define Sika's understanding of quality and sustainability. These are communicated to the individual companies throughout the world. Sika has also introduced the new management and reporting system in accordance with the G4 standard of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI G4). Controlling takes place at various levels. The starting point is the regular measurement of defined indicators (energy consumption, CO2, water consumption, materials, waste, etc.) by local companies. This measurement data is regularly communicated to Group headquarters and made transparent. Benchmarking and audits are also carried out. To monitor the achievement of targets, it is important to have external auditors (SQS) at the sites who audit with the same perspective and the same standards and provide feedback to the Group. This concept is implemented worldwide.

Steinauer AG: Recycling with vision

Visionaries, big and small, move us forward. Especially when they put what they think into practice. Edgar Steinauer, a family entrepreneur from Schwyz, is one of them. His new solar factory in Bennau is self-sufficient in energy. But Edgar Steinauer is not a green enthusiast. He has a sure instinct for tangible challenges. Recycling is his business, and he is considered a pioneer in this field. SQS-certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, the successful entrepreneur focuses on quality and future orientation. Steinauer even wants to close energy cycles wherever possible. His goal: a company that is as self-sufficient in energy as possible. A first project, the new Steinauer solar factory building, has been completed.

Thinking ahead

What motivates someone to set the bar so high? Edgar Steinauer puts it this way: "We are a family company. Thinking ahead is part of our 80-year family history. Even the two previous generations were quite innovative. My generation is also trying to do this - in environmental technology, in e-mobility, in the energy issue ". Steinauer comments: "I constantly have visions in mind, which I study. It is valuable that my wife, my brothers and my children have also internalized environmental thinking.

Solar workshop realised with the right partners

It is important to inspire the right people for such a project. At first, cooperation was sought with a Swiss manufacturer, but they did not want to get involved. Steinauer: "Finally, we found a company in Austria, PV Products. Together we took the risk. PVP managed to implement the project ". The planning work was in the hands of the company Ivolt, which Steinauer founded with two partners. Support was also provided by the two engineers Marius Bachofen from his own company Owipex and brother Patrick Steinauer.

New solar technology

The aim was to build a hall with a façade that fulfils three tasks. Firstly, it must insulate, secondly, it must bring light into the hall, and thirdly, of course, it must generate energy. The principle of generating solar energy through facades with screwed-on solar cells is well known. Edgar Steinauer went one step further: "We integrated the cells directly into the façade. This makes it possible to save part of the volume of the façade, while at the same time insulating it and making it translucent. What's also new is that we gain energy from all four sides of the façade, even in diffuse light conditions and mere light reflection ". The other cornerstone is the storage of the energy gained. Because of the peak loads at midday, there is often a problem with the grid. To overcome this, Bennau operates with a battery storage system that currently has an efficiency of over 90 %. The grid is not burdened in this way.

From pilot to large-scale project

"We are on target with our first hall. However, the 2 large halls with shed roofs that are currently under construction require an energy output that is twenty times higher. This calls for optimisation. The work is in progress. We are investing further in the future."