Flender has reaffirmed its status as one of the world’s sustainability leaders after once again securing the coveted Platinum Medal from EcoVadis, keeping the company in the top one per cent of more than 100,000 rated businesses worldwide.
Having first achieved a Gold Medal in 2022, Flender has now received the highest possible EcoVadis award for the third consecutive year.
The latest rating comes against a backdrop of significantly tightened EcoVadis criteria for Platinum status, yet Flender has lifted its overall score from 83 to 89 points since the last assessment.
Scores improved in all four EcoVadis pillars — environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement — with the environmental score rising by four points to 91 and labour and human rights and sustainable procurement each jumping seven points to 89.
Above all, Flender’s excellent policy and audit system led to the EcoVadis rating, which ensures the highest standards for governance, compliance and sustainability.
Specific projects that contributed to the rating include the recovery of solvents in the paint shop by means of distillation.
Installations of photovoltaic systems, for example at the sites in Voerde, Germany and India, contribute to energy efficiency.
Flender employees benefit from many initiatives for mental and physical wellbeing, career development and a strong focus on ethical behavior in everyday business.
These include Safety Week at the Serbian plant in Subotica, Global Learning Week, action days for inclusion and belonging, and, more specifically, the conversion of a cleaning vehicle to meet the needs of an employee.
The current result reflects the high quality of Flender’s sustainability management system. It covers all four areas addressed by EcoVadis — environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.
The company thus not only promotes transparency throughout the entire value chain, but also makes CSR goals visible and measurable, spurring further improvements in all business units.
EcoVadis notes that its methodology is aligned with international standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative, UN Global Compact and ISO 26000, and is used by major industrial customers to monitor supplier performance.
Flender’s broader sustainability profile has also been recognised at national level: the company received the German Sustainability Award 2024 in the mechanical engineering category for its contribution to the energy transition and reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by around 79 per cent since 2015.
According to the company, its wind and industrial drive technologies, including more than 350 gigawatts of installed gear and generator capacity, support global decarbonisation by improving energy efficiency and reducing the use of critical raw materials.
“We are all the more proud that we have once again achieved platinum status despite the significantly increased requirements,” said Andreas Evertz, CEO of the Flender Group.
“As an industry, we have enormous leverage when it comes to global sustainability.”
Evertz highlighted the stark warning from Brazil’s recent climate summit, stating that global targets are at risk of being missed — a scenario that demands urgent action.
He affirmed Flender’s leadership in CSR, positioning the company as ongoing pioneers in the industry, and expressed commitment to advancing sustainable change alongside long-standing partners.
Kimberley ten Broeke, Head of CSR at Flender, said: “I am proud of this result because it confirms that we at Flender are not resting on our laurels.
“It shows how much CSR has become part of Flender’s corporate culture — every employee lives and breathes these issues.
“This anchoring throughout the company is the key to our success and a real team achievement.”
Flender says it is targeting carbon neutrality for its own operations by 2030, supported by green power procurement, onsite solar generation and systematic energy-efficiency projects across its global manufacturing footprint.
