Gerhard Schubert has reinforced its commitment to sustainability by successfully securing certifications for its environmental and energy management systems. At the end of 2024, the packaging machine manufacturer achieved ISO 14001:2015 certification for Environmental Management and ISO 50001:2018 certification for Energy Management, aligning its operations with globally recognized standards.
The introduction of these management systems underscores Schubert’s dedication to improving its energy efficiency and environmental performance. By implementing ISO 14001, the company is actively minimizing its environmental impact, optimizing resource usage, and reducing carbon emissions. Meanwhile, ISO 50001 focuses on energy efficiency, further advancing the objectives of Schubert’s Mission Blue Sustainability Initiative, which tracks progress on key sustainability measures.
Long-Standing Commitment to Sustainability
Schubert’s commitment to environmental responsibility extends back nearly two decades. In 2006, the company constructed an office complex in Crailsheim equipped with a geothermal heat pump for heating and cooling. This was followed in 2015 by the addition of a final assembly hall spanning approximately 12,000 square meters, also utilizing geothermal energy.
In 2022, Schubert launched the Mission Blue initiative, aligning its sustainability efforts with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative focuses on four key areas: sustainable corporate governance, climate-neutral production, environmentally friendly machinery, and sustainable packaging solutions developed in collaboration with industry partners.
More recently, in 2023, Schubert achieved climate neutrality in its office building and final assembly hall by utilizing the world’s largest ice storage system. The company also installed two photovoltaic (PV) systems, each generating 550 kWp, and developed an infrastructure to support 80 electric vehicle charging points, with 30 already operational.
Industry Standards and Regulatory Compliance
According to Max Wagner, Head of Facility Management at Schubert, the adoption of these management systems was a natural progression for the company.
“In this context, the introduction of the environmental and energy management systems was a logical and systematic next step,” Wagner stated.
These certifications not only ensure compliance with international standards but also provide a strong foundation for additional ratings and certifications, including EcoVadis, SMETA, and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) compliance. Furthermore, they enhance Schubert’s credibility in audits conducted by partners, customers, and suppliers, particularly under Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, LkSG).
Future Sustainability Goals
Beyond regulatory compliance, the certifications represent significant milestones in Schubert’s sustainability journey, enabling the company to refine and expand its environmental and energy efficiency measures.
“The certification process has sharpened our focus on potential that we will be exploiting in the medium term,” Wagner noted.
He also emphasized the role of employees in ensuring the success of Schubert’s environmental and energy management initiatives, stating, “Certification of our environmental and energy management systems is an important first milestone, and others will follow. It is also our aim to demonstrate how every employee can contribute to our energy and environmental management efforts being embraced as an obligation in the future and confirmed during the annual audit.”
With these new certifications in place, Schubert continues to lead the packaging industry toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
