Our way to more sustainability
GEBHARDT attaches great importance to a sustainable future. That is why we see it as our duty as a globally active company to make our contribution to greater sustainability.
Our climate goals
Working together for a sustainable future in logistics
At GEBHARDT, sustainability is not just on paper, but is firmly anchored in our corporate culture and a fundamental part of our company philosophy. Our aim is not only to invest in alternative technologies, but also to involve our employees, partners and customers in this process and work together towards a sustainable future. Our commitment to the environment and ongoing investments to conserve resources are proof that we take our corporate responsibility for a sustainable future in logistics seriously.
Our commitment to the environment is also reflected in our core business: the production of reusable load carriers. By focussing on reusable systems, we actively contribute to reducing waste and conserving natural resources. Our products are designed to extend the life cycle of transport packaging and thus eliminate the need for disposable solutions.
Our biggest climate project to date
A biomass cogeneration plant for the Cham site
A milestone in our commitment to the environment is the construction of our own new biomass power plant at the Cham site. After more than 60 years, the previous biomass power plant, a milestone in technology at the time, will be replaced by a modern, highly efficient 1 MW power plant in 2024. With an impressive output of approx. 1 MW and an investment volume of around 4 million euros, we are sending a strong signal in favour of renewable energies. Our biomass power plant is the centrepiece of our efforts to operate completely fossil-free. Thanks to the use of modern conveyor technology, wood residues are made available for thermal combustion via a shredder in the form of wood chips. The highly efficient system with an efficiency of over 98% creates a perfect cycle. We thus utilise 100% of our wood, which comes exclusively from PEFC-certified (renewable) forests. This step not only enables us to drastically reduce our CO2 footprint, but also to actively contribute to the conservation of valuable resources.
An overview of our biggest climate measures in recent years
The biggest climate measures of recent years:
Construction of a new biomass power plant at the Cham site, sized to meet demand
Needs-based conversion of the company vehicle fleet to electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and economical diesel vehicles
Energy-optimised infrastructure and building control technology at the Cham site
Site-related provision of solar energy via PV systems with a current total output of 400 Kwp
Our climate milestones
Step by step to more sustainability.
2020
Installation of a PV system with approx. 60 Kwp on the administration building.
2021
Replacement of all windows as part of energy-efficient refurbishment measures.
2022
Installation of a PV system with 99 Kwp on the hall roofs at the plant in Cham.
2023
Replacement of the entire power distribution system and conversion of the entire factory and administrative lighting at the Cham plant to 100% LED lighting. This resulted in a significant 60% reduction in primary energy.
2023
Construction of a medium-voltage transformer station to the latest energy standard for the power supply at the Cham site.
2023
Installation of a PV system with 240 Kwp on the factory building in Altenmarkt.
2023
Infrastructural measures: Replacement of water and compressed air pipes, connection to district heating, investment in three new, more energy- and performance-efficient compressors.
2023
Commissioning of mobile heating containers with an output of 450 kW at the Cham site in order to make the wood treatment and drying process 100% fossil-free.
2023
Successful initial certification in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14001:2015 (environmental management system)
2024
Commissioning of our own biomass power plant with a biomass output of around 1 MW
The new wood chip plant guarantees a 100% closed, fossil-free cycle with regard to the utilisation of wood offcuts from production, packaging wood and old pallets. No further purchase of wood chips is necessary thanks to this recycling cycle. During operation, the entire Cham site is 100% fossil-free.
2024
Commissioning of mobile heating containers at the Altenmarkt site.
2024
100% LED at the Altenmarkt site
Our next milestone
Mobile heating containers for the Altenmarkt site
At GEBHARDT, we see sustainability as an ongoing journey on which we are constantly taking new measures for greater sustainability in order to reduce our ecological footprint step by step. As the next milestone, we will also be investing more heavily in sustainable measures at our site in Altenmarkt and installing mobile heating containers there too. This marks another important step towards reducing our CO2 emissions and brings us a decisive step closer to our goal of producing largely without fossil fuels. Similar to our existing power plant in Cham, the heating containers will be fuelled with residual materials from our production, creating a closed, environmentally friendly cycle.
The planning of further mobile heating containers in Altenmarkt is a key part of our strategy to realise fossil-free production facilities. By using renewable energy sources and minimising our dependence on fossil fuels, we are setting new standards for sustainability in the industry. This step not only reinforces our own commitment to a greener future, but also serves as a role model for other companies to consider sustainable alternatives.