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 administrative lighting at Cham 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. Similar to our existing power plant in Cham, the heating containers are operated using residual materials from our production processes, enabling us to create a closed and environmentally friendly cycle.
2026
Modernization of the power distribution system and complete conversion of the lighting system at the Cham plant to 100% LED lighting.
2026
GEBHARDT has been awarded the EcoVadis Bronze Medal, placing the company among the top 35% of businesses assessed worldwide in the EcoVadis sustainability rating.
Our next milestone
A medium-voltage transformer substation based on the latest energy standards for the power supply at the Altenmarkt site
At GEBHARDT, we understand sustainability as an ongoing journey in which we continuously implement new measures to promote sustainability and reduce our ecological footprint step by step. As the next milestone, we are investing in further sustainable measures at our Altenmarkt site to make our energy supply more future-proof and efficient.
The construction of a medium-voltage transformer substation based on current energy standards ensures a reliable, high-performance, and future-oriented power supply at the Altenmarkt site. By using modern and energy-efficient technology, grid losses are reduced, supply reliability is increased, and additional capacity is created to meet future requirements. At the same time, the project supports sustainable energy supply, enables the integration of renewable energies, and contributes to the reduction of CO₂ emissions.