COVER STORY
Kärcher continues commitment towards a more
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
K
ärcher, the leading German engineered cleaning solutions provider, has released its 2025 sustainability strategy including the announcement of some notable achievements and aspirational goals. Trends in consumer behaviour have long indicated a shift in the mentality of shoppers, with increased importance being placed on the sustainable practices of a brand. Kärcher has been leading the way with sustainability in the cleaning space and it is deeply embedded into its global supply chain. Measures have been put in place that aim to achieve climate-neutral production, recycling of raw materials and a reduction in plastic packaging. Kärcher hit a milestone in 2021 as it was announced that its factories around the world have become climate-neutral with CO2-free global production. 16 INCLEAN November / December 2021
This has been attained through the use of green energy and compensations for emissions that are unavoidable using climate protection projects. The climate-neutral promise also extends to business travel with Kärcher vowing to reduce travel where possible, replacing in person conferences with virtual events and compensation being made for travel when it is unavoidable. Other notable items in the 2025 sustainability strategy include becoming a social hero, whereby Kärcher has promised to analyse and improve the social impact of its direct suppliers. This will be managed by putting sustainability practices as one of the most important factors in selecting new suppliers as well as assessing current ones. This will lead to more ethical supplier partnerships in the future. The Kärcher sustainability strategy is supported by the brand claim ‘be the difference’ as Kärcher aims to lead the way in the cleaning industry. ■