Sustainability Report 2022

Despite economic challenges such as inflation, rising energy prices and difficult supply conditions for raw materials we grew our market share in 2022 and benefited from continued customer conversion from plastic packaging to recyclable, bio-degradable moulded fibre products, particularly in the Americas. 

Global awareness of plastic pollution is growing, as non-degradable plastic ends up in landfills or the oceans. Large retailers are listening, and many are setting ambitious targets to phase out plastic packaging.

• Reduction targets for science-based validation were submitted
• A technology competency centre was established in Denmark to investigate and mature energy projects

• Total CO₂e emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) declined by 2% from 2021

• A pilot solar energy project at one factory in Europe was installed

• Total fresh water consumption decreased by 12% in 2022

• In Europe most of our paper raw materials were sourced from FSC^® certified or recycled sources

• Ongoing carbon reductions through new technology and system developments

• 7% reduction in the number of work-related accidents (per million working hours) compared to 2021, and a 48% reduction since 2018

• A new Social Responsibility Policy was launched supporting our commitment to the UN Global Compact and selected SDGs

This project is particularly close to our hearts: The sand martin birds, and their nests are fully protected in Europe, as they are among the most critically endangered species due to declining population and nesting sites.

Hartmann’s Hungary plant is located close to the Danube River with small vertical sand banks, the bird’s natural nesting habitat. At the plant, sand banks and protected edges under the office building gutters are appreciated by the birds as artificial nesting places.

In collaboration with the local Environmental Protection Agency the nests are checked regularly to ensure proper protection.

Based on in-depth analysis and driven by our clear ambition of remaining a front-runner in our industry, we aim to reduce emissions in order to help limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

We are committed to the globally-recognised Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and in 2022 we submitted our ambitious near-term targets for validation. Our goal is to reduce the absolute Scope 1 and 2 CO₂e emissions and our relative Scope 3 CO₂e emissions by 50% by 2030, from a 2021 baseline.

Now we look forward to pursuing those targets and reporting on the progress made in the years ahead.

Read about our comprehensive sustainability initiatives here or download the Hartmann sustainability report 2022.