Sustainability Report 2024 - Shaping the future through sustainable action

"For DRÄXLMAIER, sustainability has always been an essential aspect of our actions and is firmly anchored in our canon of values. We understand the environmental and social impacts of our business activities – and we take responsibility by contributing actively and decisively to sustainable development."

Stefan Brandl, Vice Chairman und Chief Executive Officer

"Our goal is to be able to offer our customers a sustainable solution for every task – and to pursue this aim throughout the entire value chain."

Jan Reblin, Chief Executive Officer

Two men look at a circular economy drawn on a pane of glass.

DRÄXLMAIER is shaping the future of mobility with an innovative product and technology portfolio. We consistently invest in research and development as well as in our global production network. We work continuously on improving the efficiency of our production processes, combining economic needs with the goal of protecting the climate and the environment in the best possible way. Because sustainability is the guiding principle for our actions and ensures the success of our company – today and in the future.

A meadow with yellow flowers growing on it. In the background, trees and a DRÄXLMAIER building in Vilsbiburg.

Protecting the climate and the environment is a task that can only be achieved by working together. It is up to all of us to do our part to ensure that subsequent generations are able to enjoy a future worth living. Based on this understanding, DRÄXLMAIER has attributed great importance to protecting the environment and using energy and resources as efficiently as possible throughout the entire value chain for many years. In addition to ensuring that our production processes are as environmentally friendly as possible, we want to make greater use of the principle of the circular economy in order to conserve valuable resources.

Highlights Environment 2024

Back in 2021, we developed a method for calculating the CO2e footprint of our products. Since then, we have further refined the methodology and have now incorporated it into our cost calculations as standard. Our customers benefit from this approach because we are always able to offer them more ecological product alternatives as well as important decision-making aids for the sustainable design of their own products.

We are systematically switching the supply of our sites from fossil fuels to electrical energy from renewable sources. First and foremost, we generate our own electrical energy from renewable sources. In the reporting year, the total connected load of self-generated electrical energy from renewable resources amounted to 7,843 kWp (2023: 6,500 kWp). We also achieved energy savings of a further 4,000,000 kWh at our production sites in 2024. When purchasing electrical energy, we rely on 100% renewable resources – so-called green electricity.

Where it is not technically feasible to avoid or reuse waste, we strive to constantly increase the recycling rate and the recyclability of our waste. The recycling rate of 74.1% improved again compared to the previous year.

DRÄXLMAIER is a family-owned company with a tradition spanning over 65 years. This implies a special responsibility towards the people who support us as a company. This applies above all to our employees, for whom we want to be an attractive employer. However, we also set high standards for working conditions in our supply chain. At the same time, we want to be a good neighbour at our locations around the world and contribute to the sustainable development of society locally.

Highlights Social Commitment 2024

Since sustainability as a principle of action affects all areas of the company, DRÄXLMAIER has developed and implemented a comprehensive eLearning concept that enables all employees to integrate sustainable thinking and acting into their daily work. This innovative concept has now been recognized with the eLearning AWARD 2025 in the Sustainability category. DRÄXLMAIER impressed the jury of experts above all with its holistic approach.

DRÄXLMAIER is exclusive industrial partner to promote regional development and strengthen the education system in the Republic of Moldova through two key projects : „NEEDEDU4.0“ und „DIGITRANS“. While the DIGITRANS project aims to strengthen higher education in the Republic of Moldova through building blocks of digital transformation, the NEEDEDU4.0 project focuses in particular on the employability of graduates. One specific goal is, for example, the introduction of a new master’s degree programme in mechanical engineering.

As a partner in the various regions, DRÄXLMAIER counteracts the shortage of skilled labour and gives young people prospects for the future. Around 1,500 trainees are currently preparing for their professional future at 32 locations in eleven countries worldwide.

A person works a natural fibre mat by hand on a workbench.

DRÄXLMAIER’s success is based on the trust of our customers – in our competence and innovative strength, in the quality of our products and not least in the integrity of our actions. We take these factors into account in our corporate governance, which is based on clear values and a strong corporate culture. We fulfil our environmental and human rights due diligence obligations and also include our global supply chain in this. We respect the law in all our activities, take consistent action against corruption and bribery and are committed to the protection and security of the data provided to us. We set high standards in terms of the sustainability and quality of our products, drive innovation and digitalisation forward and are committed to sustainable and safe mobility.

Highlights Corporate Governance 2024

The automotive industry also uses raw materials and products the extraction and processing of which may be linked to risks for the environment or human rights. In 2024, we launched a project with partner companies to create transparency regarding the protection of human rights in copper mining in Peru and thus ensure that these rights are respected. In addition, DRÄXLMAIER joined the TheCopperMark initiative in order to have a positive impact on human rights and environmental issues further down the supply chain – and beyond the current legal requirements.

Since September 2021, DRÄXLMAIER has been involved in the Catena-X data ecosystem, which aims to standardise and efficiently exchange data along the entire value chain in the automotive industry and to develop targeted digital services in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and establish standards and methods to reduce CO₂e. The first “Use Case Traceability” for transmitting battery information to the customer was put into operation at the beginning of 2024. DRÄXLMAIER is member of the Catena-X e.V. association and consortium member in the “Catena-X.NEXT” research project.

A man in a white shirt sits at a table and laughs. Offices can be seen in the background.

E-Mail

SustainabilityReport 2024

Shaping the
future through sustainable action

Our sustainability approach

Sustainability at DRÄXLMAIER

The environment

Highlights Environment 2024

Social commitment

Highlights Social Commitment 2024

Corporate
governance

Highlights Corporate Governance 2024

Contact

Daniel Ostner, Head of Group Sustainability