Sustainability

30.6 % CO2 savings by 2030

The determination of emissions alone is not sufficient for a company to contribute to compliance with the Paris Climate Agreement and thus to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 °C. For this purpose, it is necessary to derive a reduction strategy from the CO2 balance, to define reduction measures and to implement them consistently.

Therefore, possible CO2 reduction potentials for A.S. Création were identified. This investigation was based on internal analyses, supplier surveys and the evaluation of scientific sources. A 10-year period, from the starting year 2020 to the target year (inclusive) 2030, was defined as the target horizon.

Since the company's emissions are strongly dependent on the production volume, the relative key figure kgCO2/Euroroll was formed, which puts the absolute emissions in relation to the production volume. This ensures comparability of the results over time and presents an honest picture of the actual reduction.

A.S. Création has thus set itself the following CO2 reduction target:

CO2 emissions (Scopes 1 - 3) of A.S. Création Tapeten AG, are to be reduced by 30.6% from 5.65 kg CO2 per Euro roll in 2020 to 3.92 kg CO2 per Euro roll in 2030.

As a continuous linear reduction cannot be assumed, A.S. Création has set a reduction corridor of +-20% within which the annual results may range.

With this reduction of emissions, A.S. Création Tapeten AG is within the corridor calculated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. 

Our wallpapering needs good packaging to prevent it from being damaged during transit. As it ends up in the rubbish bin, its environmental impact should be as low as possible. For this reason our shrink wraps are not only 100% recyclable, but also consist of 40% recycled plastic. A higher proportion at the same quality level is currently still hard to achieve. But we’re working with our suppliers to improve it further.

Another issue is the box in which our rolls are transported. A large part of it consists of recycled paper. However, it is strengthened a little by the cardboard box manufacturers with fresh fibres, in order to guarantee the stability of the box. The material can therefore be recycled up to eight times.

We also constantly test new, highly sustainable packaging materials. If these meet our strict criteria, then can be introduced in production series.

Our colleagues in the laboratory work continuously to optimise our formulations and make them more sustainable. One focus of our research is currently on the search for an alternative material for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 

For several decades PVC has been the plastic of choice for countless products – in medical technology, in the construction sector and also in our wallpapers, in particular the textured wallpapers. It is safe to use, durable, versatile and, because it is widely used in industry, there is a reliable supply of it. Unfortunately, this plastic also has a major impact on our carbon footprint.

But plastics technology is moving forward. New, innovative opportunities are opening up for the manufacture of PVC-free wallpapers. We are still in the development phase. Research and tests, even if they are high-priority, need time and success cannot be forced.  However, we are optimistic that we will soon be able to offer our customers high-quality textured wallpapers that are PVC-free – and that therefore significantly reduce our CO₂footprint.

However, we use the heat that this generates very efficiently: We use heat exchangers to supply our production facilities with the thermal energy needed to dry our inks. By means of additional conversion systems we use almost all the thermal energy generated, for example for hot water production. In this way we save additional energy and ensure that no unnecessary waste heat enters the environment.

New technologies are constantly being developed, especially in the area of energy technology. We are observing this development so that one day in the future we may be able to do without natural gas.

In the day-to-day running of a manufacturing company, the generation of waste is inevitable. One source of waste in wallpaper production is, for example, the so-called start-up rolls. This is the waste generated until the printing inks are exactly matched and the optimal colour is achieved.

Border offcuts also account for a significant proportion of waste. As the printing systems cannot print right to the edge of the paper or nonwoven fabric, unprinted areas remain at the borders. These are cut off after printing so that the finished wallpaper strips can be hung next to each other.

We are currently working on recycling solutions so that the valuable raw materials that are bound up in this waste are not lost. In 2021 over 60% of all wallpaper waste was recycled and used, for example, as insulating materials. Thus, the carbon contained in it remains bound up for a very long time.

We have an overall waste separation rate of 98.2%. Almost all residues can therefore be properly processed. We are also conducting intensive research to find other ways of recycling our operational waste and thus contributing to the circular economy.

For our sustained success it is essential that qualified employees enjoy working for the company. We therefore ensure, for example, a safe working environment and training opportunities for all positions. Our occupational health management also ensures the sustainable promotion of employee health. The result is employees who combine specialist expertise, creativity and vision and are committed to working for the success of the company – we’re proud of that. To ensure that this remains the case, we also invest heavily in our young workers. 

Our great commitment to in-house training is an essential factor in our sustainable development. Every year we provide training in fourteen different career fields in the sales and commercial sector. Our trainees are fully integrated into the business and can contribute their own ideas and suggestions, especially in the area of sustainability.  This means that they identify strongly with the company and the products. And this keeps us and the wallpaper product at the cutting edge as the voice of the next generation.

The success of this commitment can be seen, for example, in the “trainee blog” – a website by trainees for trainees. A trainee-only initiative, our young talents offer both interested parties from outside the company and trainees themselves a comprehensive insight into the different apprenticeships, work placements and day-to-day work at A.S. Création. The trainee blog is worth a look.  Happy reading.

In recent years the areas of IT security and data protection have become increasingly important. Now they are core topics in internal risk management. In order to continuously raise awareness and train employees in these areas, in 2021 we introduced and e-learning platform.  It trains them in security topics such as how to work with websites, emails and data carriers and makes them aware of cyber risks and data protection issues. We also regularly test our IT structure for weaknesses in order to maintain a high level of information security.