The Koehler Group, a leading provider of high-quality specialty papers and a pioneer in the planning, project study, and production of renewable energy, has published its third sustainability report. Through this report, the family-owned company provides insights into further details of its sustainability strategy, how it is being implemented, and the progress already achieved. Moreover, the paper manufacturer, with a tradition spanning over 215 years, has set 38 ambitious goals across different areas of action, which are being communicated for the first time.
The Koehler Group’s Corporate Strategy is Based on the Fundamental Principle of Sustainability
Sustainability is a fundamental principle of the Koehler Group, forming the foundation of the company’s strategy and being an integral part of the organization. As a family-owned business, the Koehler Group believes it is responsible for contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through its business activities. With its 2030 sustainability strategy published in 2022, the Koehler Group unveiled its roadmap for achieving sustainable growth as a company. In this sustainability report, the Koehler Group has, for the first time, set concrete goals in six areas of action within the sustainability strategy. The family-owned company will transparently communicate, at regular intervals, the degree to which the 38 goals are being achieved by 2030.
The Koehler Group is actively implementing numerous projects to achieve the ambitious goals it has set. Kai Furler, CEO of the Koehler Group, emphasizes: “The concept of sustainability has always been with us and will continue to be. A comprehensive approach allows us to continuously improve our ecological and economic impact, as well as our social contribution.”
A Pioneer in the Energy Transition – Koehler’s Ambitious Promise for 2030
As part of its climate strategy, the Koehler Group has committed to reducing its Scope 1 fossil-based greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2030. This will only be possible with energy produced without the use of fossil fuels. In 2023, approximately 60% of the thermal energy needs and around 70% of the electricity needs in Koehler Group’s paper production were already met by renewable energy sources. This means that the major goals set by the company are within reach. By 2030, the family-owned company aims to generate more renewable energy from its own facilities than is required for paper production. Thekla Walker, Minister for the Environment, Climate, and Energy Management of the state of Baden-Württemberg, summarized during a visit to Koehler Group’s headquarters in early 2024 that while other companies are still planning their transformation, the Koehler Group is already deep into implementation.
In this context, Kai Furler states: “We are proud to have already significantly converted our steam and electricity supply to renewable sources. Even today, many industrial companies are still almost entirely dependent on natural gas. We started transforming our energy supply over 12 years ago, and this is now paying off.” Currently, the Koehler Group is investing more than 70 million euros at its headquarters in the decarbonization of its coal-fired power plant – a colossal project that will only bear fruit in a few years but will save 150,000 tons of direct fossil CO2 emissions annually in the future.
Paper Instead of Plastic – A Focus on Sustainable and Innovative Products
The Koehler Group is a family-owned company committed to contributing to the sustainable development of society and the environment through its business activities. The development of innovative and sustainable products, with a focus on customer benefits, is at the heart of this approach. This includes, for example, papers that help customers achieve their own sustainability goals. Flexible plastic packaging has proven its worth for decades. It has undergone multiple revisions and optimizations. However, in terms of recycling rates, it has been disappointing, as in practice, its materials are hardly recycled. Koehler Paper sees great potential in flexible packaging papers to replace plastic film packaging. The advantages of paper packaging are significant here. Paper is a product made from renewable raw materials that are actually recycled in practice. Unlike plastic, paper can be recycled many times. At Koehler, additional barrier functions have been developed that make the paper resistant to grease, for example. These high-tech papers sometimes have properties superior to those of plastic.
The numerous projects in the six areas of action – “Thriving and Viable Products,” “Renewable Raw Materials and Responsible Sourcing,” “Resource Efficiency,” “A Visionary Approach to Climate Protection,” “Human Success Factor,” and “Corporate Value Growth” – aim to achieve the 38 goals by 2030.
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