Sustainability is at the heart of IBU-tec Group's business activities. We are committed to our responsibility for the environment, society and employees. Whether with our products or with internal measures and processes – we want to contribute to maintaining a future worth living. The basis for this is our IBU2025 strategy, with which we have secured sustainability as one of the five strategic pillars for the long-term success of the IBU-tec Group.
This commitment to sustainable action has also been confirmed by external organizations. For example, we received the "EcoVadis Silver" award for sustainability management in the Group. EcoVadis is the world’s largest provider of sustainability ratings for companies. With an overall score of 67 points, the IBU-tec Group ranks among the top 10 percent of all companies worldwide in its industry that EcoVadis evaluated. The rating includes criteria from ethics, the environment, human and labor rights, and sustainable procurement.
Independent rating agency imug rating, which produces analyses for the financial markets, also rated the IBU-tec Group’s sustainability performance as “good”. The overall rating is made up of three subject areas: “ESG management”, “Products/Services” and “Controversies”. IBU-tec achieved 70 out of a possible 100 points across all areas, placing it in the upper midfield of the scale, which is divided into the gradations “weak”, “moderate”, “good”, “very good” and “excellent”.
Read the rating here.
Ecology
Environmentally friendly products
With its products and services, IBU-tec Group is a specialist for green technologies. Many of our innovations serve to increase efficiencies, conserve resources, develop more environmentally friendly alternatives or enable new properties in materials and products. Three of the four growth areas that we have defined in our IBU2025 strategy contribute directly or indirectly to a more sustainable way of life: battery materials, glass coatings and recycling. Together, these three key areas will account for around 75 percent or more of the IBU-tec Group's sales by 2025.
Active environmental protection
IBU-tec Group has voluntarily had its quality and environmental management system certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001 and 14001. With the help of strict policies and procedures, we ensure that risks of air, water and/or soil pollution by our production processes is reduced to the fullest extent possible.
In order to reduce our emissions footprint, we operate our own low emissions power system consisting of a photovoltaic system and combined heat and power plant which generates circa 10 percent of our total energy requirements and has thus far saved almost 600 t of CO2 emissions throughout the Group. We are also modernizing the vehicle fleet by incorporating alternative drive technologies.
Social Affairs
Working Conditions
Our employees are the greatest asset of the IBU-tec Group. Their safety and health is our top priority. For this reason, a comprehensive management system for occupational health and safety is employed throughout the Group, which is the direct responsibility of the Executive Board in terms of organization. For its efforts, the IBU-tec Group has received the "Safe with System" seal of approval from the Employers' Liability Insurance Association for raw materials and the chemical industry.
For us, there is an iron clad principle of non-discrimination against anyone on the basis of gender, cultural background or age. The following applies throughout the Group: equal remuneration with the same qualifications, activities and length of service. Employee voice and participation in workplace issues is also of great importance to us. At IBU-tec, for example, a designated staff member is available as a contact person for employees. At BNT, the interests of the employees are represented by a works council vis-à-vis the management.
Comprehensive operational services
A positive and appreciative working atmosphere will contribute significantly to the health and motivation of employees. The IBU-tec Group therefore supports its employees in furthering their education and in acquiring part-time degrees. We also attach particular importance to the compatibility of family and career. In this way, employees in those areas where it is possible can work flexitime and, if desired, completely or partially from the home office. Parents can also receive a subsidy for the costs of childcare and give their minor children a free holiday break in the summer. Depending on the location, other social benefits include shopping vouchers, free meals and drinks, a health fund that covers the costs of preventive examinations or glasses, as well as subsidies for company pension schemes.
Governance
Strict Code of Conduct
Good corporate governance is the be-all and end-all of sustainable entrepreneurial activity. This is why the IBU-tec Group has adopted a strict compliance policy as part of its management handbook. It sets out what we take for granted in our day-to-day business: we do not tolerate corruption, bribery, discrimination or violations of the law of any kind and do not permit child or forced labor. We guarantee our employees fair pay, reasonable working hours, safe working conditions and a non-discriminatory working environment, and we aim to act lawfully and professionally at all times in our business agreements and relationships. Employees of the IBU-tec Group are expressly encouraged to report any concerns regarding misconduct or suspected misconduct. The responsibility for compliance with the Code of Conduct lies with the company management, as does the cooperation with our suppliers, for whom we have defined strict compliance requirements. Suppliers are therefore obliged to comply with all legally binding regulations, in particular the applicable laws for the protection of fair and equitable competition, applicable export and import bans, customs and tax regulations and legal regulations for the protection of the environment.
Our Code of Conduct for our supply chains and business processes obliges us to comply with applicable law and international standards. In a separate document on our corporate ethics, we have also set out our commitment to respecting human rights and fair working conditions in the Group companies. These guidelines are intended for all employees, business partners and suppliers of the Group.
The Executive Board is also responsible for data protection. It works closely with an external data protection officer to ensure a careful and secure handling of the data of our customers, business partners and employees. IBU-tec Group is committed to the principles of data avoidance and data economy. It has also taken all necessary technical and organizational measures to protect highly sensitive data of customers and employees.
Social commitment
IBU-tec Group sees itself as a good corporate neighbor and is active in improving the community. We are actively involved in our neighborhood, for example by regularly working with local authorities at our Weimar headquarters. In addition, we contribute to the development of regional life by supporting regional initiatives.
