The family company has also set the following interim targets for 2030: By 2030, direct emissions from the company's own plants (Scope 1) will be reduced by at least 30%, indirect emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2) by at least 40% and indirect upstream and downstream emissions (Scope 3) by at least 10%. The base year of the climate targets is 2022.
“We have built up considerable expertise in carbon footprint accounting. The causes of our emissions are known in detail and we are aware where we need to intervene. We are delighted that we can now report further steps on the way to Net Zero,” says Thomas Leissing, Chief Financial Officer EGGER Group.
ne measure has been realized at the Unterradlberg plant (AT): After a construction period of approximately one year, the first chipboards without the use of natural gas were produced there at the beginning of February. This was achieved by installing a new heat exchanger.
It is used to heat the thermal oil needed for operating the rawboard press and the four lamination lines – a process that previously required the use of natural gas. The new heat exchanger is now operated with steam from the existing biomass power plant. This means that the Unterradlberg plant no longer uses any natural gas at all during normal operation of its board production lines, thus taking a step that clearly contributes to the EGGER Group's efforts to protect the climate.
EGGER is also investing around €80 million in a new power plant there, which will supply both heat and electricity for its own production processes using a steam boiler and combined heat and power generation from biogenic fuels. In this way, EGGER will reduce the use of fossil fuels at the location to almost zero and can also supply the surrounding communities with even more sustainable district heating.
The St. Johann in Tirol plant has already had a boiler system in place since 2008, which generates thermal energy for the production facilities and the district heating supply for surrounding municipalities by burning biomass and biogenic production residues. The planned power plant project offers a significant expansion: In addition to thermal energy, the new power plant will in the future also generate its own electricity for the production processes. EGGER will then cover at least 80% of its own electricity requirements at the St. Johann in Tirol plant. The new power plant, which is being built to the latest industrial standards, is scheduled to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2026.
EGGER applies high standards to its own sustainability management and its transparent reporting system. While pursuing continuous improvement, the wood-based material manufacturer regularly undergoes analyses by external and renowned ESG rating agencies. These rating agencies have once again issued a good report: EGGER was awarded Prime status in the ISS ESG Corporate Rating for the fourth time and the EcoVadis silver medal for the fifth time.