Sustainability Report 2007
Our goal is to cut energy in operations by 15% by 2009. Over 50 factories are responsible for emitting 95% of our direct CO2 emissions. They are a primary instrument for change.
A 15% reduction in energy use equates to an annual company-wide CO2 reduction of 100,000 tons, based on 2005 Group consumption levels of 1.8 TWh of energy. The imperatives of climate change and high energy prices are the key drivers. A welcome fringe benefit will be the approximate savings of SEK 100m (€12m) we expect to make annually.
To ensure progress against our goal, Henrik Sundström, VP, Sustainability Affairs says: “We monitor targets and require all operations with a heated area above 1,000 m2 to report on their performance. A new target for 2012 will be set in 2008.”
As the examples of Revin and Anderson illustrate, facilities show different rates of progress. We will continue to track and report their performance.
Revin exceeds 15% target
Top management commitment, teamwork and attention to detail at Revin, France, have resulted in a 16% reduction in energy consumption between 2005 and 2007. “Training and close attention to targets are key to success, especially if a re-organization or novel processes are involved,“ says Eric Lefèvre, Facilities Manager, Safety and Environment.
Measures taken include automatic stops on production lines after idle periods, optimization of compressed air systems, thermostats in all workshops and automated ventilation. Investments, behavior changes and delegating energy-saving responsibilities delivered a reduction of 25% per added value between 2005 and 2007. The measures put in place will save Revin an estimated 3 million kWh and SEK 1.7m (€180,000) annually.
Anderson anticipates improvements
Our US plant at Anderson, South Carolina, made energy reductions of 12% per added value between 2005 and 2007, but with its increase in production volumes, it has yet to reduce its total energy use.
A switch to powder coating and lower oven temperatures has resulted in reduced electricity and gas consumption.
To contribute to our 15% target, tool pre-heaters will be powered in future by cheaper electricity instead of natural gas. A similar change is being explored for the hot water boiler. Lighting and compressed air projects present good energy efficiency opportunities and variable frequency drives in electrical motors offer additional potential savings.
Savings in operations
In absolute terms, Revin has reduced energy use by 16% while on an added value basis, it achieved a 25% reduction compared to 2005 levels. Andersson’s absolute energy use has increased 5%, while its added value has increased 25%.
Audio conferencing up
Although the impact of business travel on the Group’s CO2 emissions is marginal, air travel is a major contributor to climate change. Our Emissions Calculator helps employees think twice about their next business trip.
Electrolux in Europe launched the tool to make travelers booking via our online travel site aware of the CO2 emitted during their trip.
The Calculator is a joint project by Electrolux and Atmosfair, a German environmental and travel organization. Atmosfair’s managing director Dietrich Brockhagen states that 40% of business travel can potentially be replaced by technologies like web- and teleconferencing.
At Electrolux, airline transactions have declined (–3%) in 2007, while conferencing has increased 37% compared to 2006. “It’s difficult to make a direct correlation between these two indicators. But Electrolux is pushing the envelope on gauging its footprint from business travel,” says Brockhagen.
Air travel for Electrolux Major Appliances, Europe, represents about 60% of Group business travel. This data is based on 95% of travel by Electrolux in Europe.
