Journey toward a Sustainable Future from Sibiu

One year in, by the third quarter of 2025 (YTD), Güntner’s manufacturing site in Sibiu, Romania is reporting major progress. The team has been able to establish a robust sustainability system and achieved:

✅ 37.9% reduction in carbon intensity
✅ 27.2% reduction in energy intensity
✅ 49.1% reduction in water intensity

At Güntner, intensity is measured as resources consumed per ton of metals used. All figures are measured against a 2021 baseline.
These accomplishments mark a major step forward for Güntner’s global environmental strategy and show what’s possible when ambitious goals are backed by action.

A Local Example of Global Commitment

In 2023, Güntner announced six ambitious sustainability pledges to be achieved by 2030. These included eliminating harmful substances through alternative technologies, making strides toward circularity, and transitioning to fully sustainable packaging to reduce our environmental impact and contribute positively to the world.

We also set clear targets for sustainable efficiency in our operations:
• Reduce carbon intensity by 40%
• Cut energy intensity by 10%
• Lower water intensity by 30%

While these goals apply across all Güntner facilities worldwide, at Güntner’s Sibiu site, the team quickly stepped up to take action. Under the leadership of General Manager, Klaus Wittek, the plant made early investments in infrastructure that set the tone for change — most notably the installation of 8,000 photovoltaic panels generating 3.3 megawatts of electricity — while the remaining site demand is met through renewable energy purchases.

Creating the Conditions for Sustainable Change

In late 2024, Dalia Ortega, Sustainability Coordinator from our Monterrey, Mexico facility, relocated to Romania to manage Sibiu’s efforts. Having led water-saving initiatives in drought-stricken Monterrey, she brought both expertise and urgency to the project.

“The goal was always to create real, measurable impact,” Dalia explains.

“When I first arrived to Sibiu, I focused on building a clear roadmap, aligning budgets, and assembling the right team from day one.”

That roadmap — visualized as a mountain range with milestone flags — still hangs in her office and has helped keep the entire effort on track.

Without knowing exactly how resources were being used at the plant, the first step was mapping and understanding resource consumption. More than 150 real-time data points were put in place to monitor real-time impact. At the same time, Dalia led a change management assessment to gauge employee awareness and provide the tools needed to act.

A cross-functional core team, with members from EHS, Maintenance, HR, Finance, Quality, and Facility Management, began meeting every two weeks. With the authority to decide and act quickly, they turned strategy into tangible results.

Embedding Sustainability into Daily Work

To strengthen its approach, the Sibiu team aligned its system with the internationally recognized ISO 50001 energy management standard — and then applied the same principles across all sustainability indicators. In April 2025, Sibiu became the first Güntner site to achieve ISO 50001 certification.
A group of 24 Sustainability Ambassadors has also played a pivotal role. Through workshops, team meetings, and everyday conversations, they have helped make sustainability part of the culture.
“Every day, colleagues bring new ideas to the table,” said Dalia.
“That’s when you know the culture is shifting. Sustainability is slowly becoming an integral part of how we do things.”

Setting the Standard for What’s Next

“It’s not just about making the best heat exchange technology,” Dalia adds. “It’s about making it in the most responsible way possible.”