Grohe achieves carbon-neutral production

Grohe has announced that it has achieved carbon-neutral production – a pivotal milestone in its long-term commitment to sustainability.

“The initiative ties in seamlessly with the numerous measures in our plants that promote the reduction of our carbon footprint and conserve resources,” comments Thomas Fuhr, COO of Fittings Lixil International and CEO of Grohe AG.

“We are very proud to be a pioneer in our industry with ‘Grohe Goes Zero’, and we are already aiming for the next step. By the end of 2021, we want to make all of our sales offices worldwide climate-neutral.”

Grohe production plant in Klaeng Thailand

The initiative also contributes to a central goal of parent company Lixil’s sustainability strategy, of which Grohe has been a part since 2014, to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from housing lifestyle solutions as well as operations.

To achieve its goals of carbon-neutral production, Grohe has been using green electricity since July 2019 at the German logistics centres, and at all five Lixil Emena production sites, which produce exclusively for the global brand.

Grohe combined heat power plant

Additionally, the brand is investing in solar technology, combined heat and power plants, and innovative manufacturing processes, such as 3D metal-printing, that save materials to ensure they are creating a value chain that conserves resources.

Its dedicated testing laboratory in Hemer, coupled with increased recycling of materials, is also contributing to the steady reduction of its carbon footprint.

As a result, Grohe has been able to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by around 40% since the introduction of its 2014 sustainability programme, while at the same time increasing its energy efficiency by 24%.

This has meant its original targets of 20% respectively by 2021 have significantly exceeded ahead of schedule.

To offset any CO2 emissions it has not yet been able to reduce, Grohe provides significant investment into two global compensation projects. One project provides operational support of a hydroelectric power plant in India, which eliminates the need for coal-fired power plants.

Grohe supports compensation project in India as part of carbon strategy

Another project in Malawi involves the repair and maintenance of boreholes used for drinking water abstraction.

Grohe supports compensation project in Malawi as part of carbon strategy

The sanitary brand intends to pursue the proven three-pronged approach of “avoid, reduce, compensate”, as well as to increase its energy efficiency every year by its own means, thereby reducing the share of compensation.

Grohe has long sought to increase sustainability, not only with regard to its own production, but through its intelligent technologies which can also help consumers to minimise their personal carbon footprint:

#1 Saving energy starts at the wash basin

Technologies such as Grohe SilkMove ES allow solely cold water to flow from the tap when the lever is positioned in the middle. Unnecessary hot water consumption can therefore be prevented.

#2 Sustainable showering

Grohe thermostats equipped with its TurboStat technology provide a more sustainable showering experience, delivering a desired shower temperature within a fraction of a second and maintaining this for the duration of the shower.

#3 Filtered drinking water straight from the tap

Bottled water is ubiquitous in everyday life, but it is harmful to the environment. One solution for consuming water more sustainably is the investment of water systems, such as Grohe Blue Home – a kitchen tap that supplies filtered and chilled water in still, medium or sparkling options.

www.grohe.com