In managing environmental impacts, risks and opportunities related to the six EU environmental objectives, we adhere to the Environmental Policy of the Krka Group.
Responsible environmental management policy leads to long-term competitiveness since our customers value our our sustainability stance.
We take care of the environment and respect environmental regulations, and also cooperate with the local community and beyond. Our responsibility to the natural environment is included in the Environmental Policy of the Krka Group. In 2001, we obtained the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) certificate, which requires us to continuously reduce our environmental impacts and integrate environmental care into the earliest stages of development activities and projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
We manage environmental impacts, physical and transitional risks associated with climate change, and opportunities through a prescribed and documented environmental management system based on commitments outlined in our Development Strategy, Environmental Policy and Responsible Care initiative. This systematic approach takes into account climate change, the use of natural resources, circular economy, pollution, waste management, biodiversity and ecosystems, natural water resources, our commitment to sustainability, and stakeholder opinions.
The Environmental Policy, which encompasses all aspects of our operations, commits both management and employees to sustainable business practices and environmental preservation. We continuously reduce the environmental impacts of our activities throughout the entire product lifecycle. Our efforts ensure a healthy living environment for employees and the broader community, while also contributing to global environmental goals. We are dedicated to climate change mitigation and adaptation, rational use of energy and all natural resources, transitioning to a circular economy, reducing emissions and waste, and preserving biodiversity and ecosystems.
All employees are expected to respect our environmental sustainability guidelines, a commitment we also expect from all stakeholders involved in our operations.
ENVIRONMENTAL MILESTONES
Over the last five years, we have allocated more than €50 million to environmental protection, of that €10,9 million in 2023. Direct costs amounted to €8.1 million and included costs of waste water discharge and treatment, waste management, waste air treatment, noise reduction, monitoring costs, environmental levies and other direct costs of environmental protection. We invested €2.8 million in equipment and technology for environmental protection to further reduce environmental impacts.
We reduced disposable waste by 10%.
We reduced waste packaging by 43 tonnes through our returnable packaging system and solvent supply system employing reusable intermediate bulk containers.
We handed over a total of 567 tonnes of waste composites for processing, from which the contractor recovered 187 tonnes of aluminium and 332 tonnes of plastic.
We cut the specific energy use measured in TJ per billion product units by 5.4% compared to 2022.
We reduced our carbon footprint by 275 CO2-eq per year through our energy efficiency improvement projects.
River water consumption was reduced by 18%.
We substituted 5.6% of river water used to supply cooling towers with rainwater.
We collect and analyse data about environmental management system by various methodological tools. We use all available resources, such as monitoring results for our processes or activities that can significantly impact the environment, findings of self-inspections and audits, internal audits, security checks, inspections, customer claims, and risk analyses. This demonstrates that the environmental management system is performing properly and efficiently, and also gives us an opportunity to make improvement. We report our findings on the efficacy of our environmental protection system to state authorities and other stakeholders.
The European Union has set down strict environmental standards for all Member States. We comply with them on all our markets around the world, incorporating our responsible approach to the natural environment in all our subsidiaries abroad to the highest extent possible.
We transfer good environmental protection practices to all subsidiaries through permanent cooperation, information exchange, and investment, always taking local legislation into account.
Each and every employee can contribute to better environmental protection results. We encourage our employees to constantly upgrade their knowledge and handle the environment with a high level of awareness. We significantly improved the response of individuals and groups by regularly raising awareness through our communication campaign Environment Counts which promotes energy saving, print savings and separate waste collection. We inform the public about our environmental activities via public announcements in the media and at seminars, symposia and round tables. We actively participate in the preparation of environmental legislation. We cooperate closely with professional and scientific organisations in Slovenia and abroad. Sustainable improvement of the environment also depends on good relationships with social environment representatives, especially our closest neighbours, since our activities have an impact on their living space and the quality of life.
Every other year we organise a traditional meeting with local residents, informing them of our actions, results and environmental protection plans. These meetings help us maintain an open dialogue and exchange opinions. We learn what the local community thinks and consider this when planning environmental goals and programmes.
Goals
- Comprehensive management of the environmental management system, ensuring sustainable development, and continuously improving conditions in all areas of environmental protection, following the Krka Group Development Strategy and Krka Group ESG Policy, Chapter Planet, and climate change.
- Ensure an environmental management system in line with national legal requirements, EU directives, and ISO 14001 standards.
- Ensure a high level of environmental protection throughout the entire product life cycle.
- Ensure efficient management of raw materials, products, waste, and other materials, as well as the efficient use of energy and water.
- Implement circular economy practices (use of regenerated solvents, reuse of water, separate collection and delivery of waste for processing, etc.).
- In line with the action plan and considering the availability of new technologies and carbon-neutral energy sources (e.g., renewable energy, carbon-neutral electricity, and fuels), undertake activities to reduce the carbon footprint.
- By reducing environmental impacts, ensure the preservation of biodiversity.
- Gradually increase the share of electric vehicles in its fleet.
OBJECTIVES BY 2028
Specific use of energy (TJ/billion pieces): < 80.00
Scope 1 and 2 emission reduction compared to 2019: -48%*
Reduction of specific waste: -3%
* Objective by 2030
Specific use of energy by production volume (TJ/billion pieces) in last years
Objectives for reducing the Krka Group’s carbon footprint by 2050
By 2050, the Krka Group will continue its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. We will follow trends and utilize the best available decarbonization technologies in the fields of transport and the supply of carbon-neutral energy sources (RE, hydrogen, etc.), incorporating them into our processes to the fullest extent possible. We will monitor the content and requirements of the CS3D directive regarding the preparation of decarbonization plans in line with the Paris Agreement and climate neutrality by 2050. The successful implementation of sustainable environmental policies in the coming period will be influenced by newly available techniques and carbon-free energy sources in the market, as well as new legislation. It is crucial for Krka to maintain growth and development and competitiveness in the global market.
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