Ecological performance of our production
Economic security through ecological change
For us as an energy and water-intensive company, the climate-friendly conversion of our production is crucial if we are to successfully ensure hygiene and well-being in the coming decades. We thus actively drive forward the transformation of our energy supply, and focus on the sustainable handling of water as a resource and future-oriented resource management.
Energy
Water
Resource
management
WEPA has set its science-based climate targets on the basis of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 °C, the standard covers a company’s entire value chain, including Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
Our vision is clear: WEPA wants to be a climate-neutral company by 2040. We have set ourselves specific milestones to achieve this. In line with the Paris Climate Agreement, we aim to reduce our carbon emissions by 52.5% to 2030 (with 2019 as base year). This applies not only to our direct emissions at the sites or emissions from purchased energy, but also to our entire value chain. To achieve this we adopt a comprehensive approach: reduce emissions, invest in innovative technologies and create a robust basis for our energy supply.
For us as an industrial company, energy transformation is a complex process. As well as measures to increase energy efficiency such as installing state-of-the-art technology in paper production, we also focus on the in-house generation and use of renewable energies. WEPA thus invests in solar and wind energy and the use of hydropower and biomass. Our investments in green electricity not only reduce our emissions, but also strengthen the demand for green electricity on the market.
Successful realisation of 28 transformation projects with a total investment volume of EUR 6 million.
100% use of green electricity for the production of our recycled fibres.
Member of the Industrial Network of Climate Protection Companies, supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection.
Our fields of action
for less emissions
Decarbonisation not only means the transformation of our energy supply. We can only ensure sustainable production if we reduce our emissions in all areas – from production to our products. In doing this we focus on innovation, the circular economy and our partners along the value chain.
As part of the water-intensive paper industry, we bear responsibility for protecting the waters from which we draw fresh water or into which we return used water. As a consequence we continuously optimise the water management at our locations. Together with WWF Germany, we have set ourselves measures and targets as part of the Water Stewardship project – these are effective in terms of location and catchment area and involve all relevant interest groups.
We analyse the water risks at our sites using our own system based on the WWF Water Risk Filter, which allows us to specifically minimise the water risks for WEPA and the environment.
WEPA currently has an average mean water risk. We aim to reduce this to an average low risk by 2030.
WEPA addresses water risks along the value chain and is committed to sustainable water stewardship.
WEPA supports the protection of biodiversity together with partners, and supports projects such as the WWF renaturalisation project of the Middle Elbe section of the Elbe River for the restoration of habitats in river basins.
WEPA continuously works towards improving and developing the material cycles. Our top priority is to avoid waste. We are also reducing the quantities of recycling streams to be disposed of through the increased use of fibre residues and rejects in recovered paper processing. To better manage our recycling streams, we have developed a comprehensive waste strategy that applies to all sites.
WEPA is continuously working to increase its recycling rate. Today, 74% of our production waste is already recycled (materially utilised).
By 2025, WEPA aims to recycle 100% of its production waste into materials or energy.
The WEPA Group
Together for a better life
The WEPA Group ensures well-being and a safe feeling of hygiene for millions of people in Europe – every day and everywhere. The company is a future-orientated family business with a strong European team and a unique corporate culture. As one of the largest manufacturers of hygiene papers in Europe and an expert in the production of hygiene paper made from recycled fibres, it offers sustainable and innovative ...
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Future & innovation
Shaping the future with WEPA
We are a role model for successful, intergenerational and sustainable change. Proactively, courageously and through a structured and holistic approach throughout all levels of our company, we are constantly driving transformation and shaping the future of an entire industry.
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