In order to reach ASSA ABLOY’s overall goal of reducing its environmental impact, implementing water reuse and recycling systems, with a more efficient use and management of water is a critical step.
Operations
Sustainability is a journey of continuous improvement
Sustainability is embedded in our day-to-day operations.
By committing to science-based targets (SBTi), we have set long-term goals aligned to the Paris Agreement. To reach our ambitious goals, we review our operational sustainability from a holistic perspective and are constantly looking for ways to improve.
Modern and sustainable ABLOY factory
Abloy's factory, located in Joensuu, Finland, was established already back in 1968. Today, we deliver 3,4 million products annually and utilise smart processes, automation and collaboration between labor and robotics.
To us, striving for efficiency in our production goes hand in hand with sustainability. In fact, our factory is completely landfill-free and also electrified with renewable energy.
Reducing our energy consumption
Producing compressed air currently accounts for 10 % of the electricity we use. By repairing leaks in compressed air equipments a more systematic manner, we are significantly reducing our electricity consumption.
We have isntalled new lighting technology and paying attention to heating and reducing the idle running of the machines. The energy efficiency of our equipment purchases is guided by the ISO 50001 energy management system.
Favouring low carbon energy sources
The electricity we buy has come from 100% renewable sources since 2013 and we have used carbon-neutral district heating since the beginning of 2018. In 2020, we installed 604 solar panels on the factory roof with a rated capacity of 200 kW. Our local deliveries in Joensuu around factory area are handled with electric car.
Saving water
At the Abloy Joensuu factory, surface treatment is a major factor in water consumption. The process is modern, and it is built to use the best available technology. To enable close monitor of water consumption we have installed separate water meters.
We have a total of about 100 water points in our factory. To save water, we have limited the water flow of taps and showers and added automatic touch-free taps. By limiting our water flow to 6 litres per minute we were able to save up to 300m³ of water per year which equals to the average yearly water consumption of 5 people.
Zero waste to landfill
Joensuu factory is landfill-free. Our waste management is guided by The Carbon Trust Standard for Zero Waste to Landfill. These requirements also apply to our waste operators. The amounts of hazardous waste we produce are being reduced through training and anticipatory maintenance of machines. Production waste is sorted and recycled wherever possible – for example brass chips from production are recycled to brass bars and they will get a new life as a valuable raw material.
High product quality is a priority at Abloy
ABLOY products are used to protect personal safety, property, business and assets. Therefore, we have a responsibility to provide high quality products for our customers’ needs and security.
In the product quality process, less is more: less waste, less poor quality in production processes, less returned products and less customer complaints. Watch the video to find out more!
UN Sustainable Development Goals
As a part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, we are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
We are committed to adopt sustainable practices into our operations with a strong focus on resource efficiency and waste reduction through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
We promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth by integrating sustainability into the sourcing processes. Labour rights, decent work with equal pay, health and safety and gender balance are key priorities at all levels throughout the ASSA ABLOY Group and the supply chain.
Continuous efficiency improvements in production processes reduces our climate impact and is linked to SDG 13 on urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by considering lifecycle environmental impacts of a product through more efficient resource use, and by applying the reduce reuse recycle principle.
