Güntner has been working towards its pledges
In September, 2023, Güntner committed to achieving six sustainability pledges by 2030. Our aim is to focus and accelerate our efforts to significantly reduce the impact we have on the environment. We also hope to galvanise action globally within the wider refrigeration and cooling sector to improve prospects for the planet and for future generations.
A year on, we have already made progress, drawing on the expertise of our experts around the world and consulting with outside specialists. The latest iteration of our global Thinkit programme, aimed at encouraging new ideas among our colleagues, is also focused on finding innovative ways to meet our pledges.
We will be reporting regularly on how we are progressing. Here is our first end-of-year report:

PLEDGE 1: LAUNCH OUR INDUSTRY’S FIRST TRULY CIRCULAR UNIT
This is perhaps the most challenging of all our pledges. To broaden colleagues’ awareness of the circular economy concept, we have held a series of workshops providing insights into what it is and how it can be achieved. One of these was with Circular Republic, a pacesetter in the field, and others were part of the Thinkit programme, helping to connect colleagues’ innovative ideas to contemporary circular business models.

PLEDGE 2: CONVERT OUR ENTIRE PRODUCT RANGE TO THE USE OF ECO-FRIENDLY SUBSTANCES
The vast majority of Güntner’s product line can currently operate with natural refrigerants, and the remainder can be customised for this purpose. Work is proceeding to ensure that all products will be operable with natural refrigerants without the need for customisation. In Europe and Brazil, we have already achieved this. In the APO region, we are currently rolling out the Mini COMPACT Air Cooler, which is one of the most efficient units in our overall portfolio and available with CO2. The NLA region is currently working on a Cubic COMPACT Air Cooler available with CO2 that will meet local legislative requirements.
We are particularly keen to increase the proportion of our sold units with natural refrigerants. The newly introduced Impact° label on our myGPC product calculator highlights the positive impact of natural refrigerants when customers select our products, encouraging take-up.

PLEDGE 3: REDUCE CARBON INTENSITY BY 40% ACROSS OUR MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
At the beginning of the year, we unveiled a new photovoltaics system at our plant in Sibiu, Hungary. Its 8,000 solar panels produce approximately 3,400Mwh/year, of which 2,350Mwh are utilised by the plant, with the rest being exported to the local public network. To ensure maximum operational capacity, the energy production and consumption are monitored through a dedicated software interface, enabling efficient management and optimisation of the system.
In Brazil, we are using ethanol derived from sugarcane to power our car fleet. Elsewhere in the world, we’re moving towards electrified car fleets and installing charging points at our facilities. In addition, we are electrifying our production and logistics areas: in Hungary and Indonesia we’re increasingly using electric forklifts. And in Indonesia, we have switched to electric ovens for drying procedures. Güntner Brazil has become our fourth factory to run on renewable energy, joining our three facilities in Europe. Our energy intensity activities also contribute to this pledge.

PLEDGE 4: REDUCE ENERGY INTENSITY BY 10% ACROSS OUR MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
Of all our industrial processes, powder-coating is the most energy-intensive, and at our facilities in Romania and Hungary we have modified the chemical process, allowing the necessary temperature to be lowered and resulting in a significant decrease in electricity consumption. Similar changes are also planned for Mexico and Indonesia.
In Brazil, a translucent roof that maximises daylight utilisation is scheduled for completion by the end of this year. In Europe, we have been installing energy measurement systems that can track consumption in a specific area or even in a single machine.

PLEDGE 5: REDUCE WATER INTENSITY BY 30% ACROSS OUR MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
Our water conservation programmes have so far reduced water intensity by 5%.
Water reduction is a particular priority for our five manufacturing facilities in Monterrey, Mexico, where water scarcity is a significant challenge. Following a comprehensive audit, many processes where water is used have been modified or discontinued. In total, more than 15 water-saving initiatives have been put in place.
In Brazil and Romania, we are using advanced water recycling technology. The Romanian team’s modification of the powder-coating process has also enabled the shutdown of one of two degreasing baths, resulting in a significant reduction in the amount of cleaning water used.

PLEDGE 6: MAKE ALL OUR PACKAGING FULLY SUSTAINABLE
Our Thinkit programme has produced a large number of ideas for the sustainable packaging pledge, and these are currently being evaluated by management. Most of our packaging currently comes from renewable sources, so as well as looking at more eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastic foil, we are also looking at ways in which all of our packaging can be reused, repurposed and/or recycled. In addition, we are seeking to collaborate with customers and end-users, to ensure that they send used packaging to the correct recycling streams or prepare it for reuse.