This EcoVadis rating recognizes the group’s commitment to sustainable business practices. Among the world’s foremost systems for assessing companies’ sustainability performance, the rating is of special importance particularly for customers and suppliers. From what was already a high base level, GEA succeeded in enhancing its score by another 10 points compared with the previous year, rising from Gold to Platinum standard status. The company improved across all four of the categories assessed (Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, Sustainable Procurement). GEA’s performance in the Environment category was particularly remarkable, as the company achieved an almost perfect score in this area.
High transparency as foundation for continued improvements
GEA CEO Stefan Klebert: “The award from EcoVadis strongly demonstrates the effectiveness of our sustainability strategy. As a world-leading mechanical engineering company for key industries such as food and pharmaceuticals, with complex supply chains, this means a lot to us: Our excellent performance shows our customers that they are working with a responsible and capable company.”
The positive overall result is closely tied to GEA’s ambitious Climate Transition Plan 2040. GEA presented the plan to shareholders for a vote in April 2024 when it became the first company in the DAX index family to obtain approval for a “Say-on-Climate resolution, with an approval rate of 98.4 percent. The Mission 30 corporate strategy presented in October is likewise designed to help propel the group toward its ambitious climate and sustainability targets.
Chief Sustainability Officer Dr. Nadine Sterley: “We strive for maximum transparency about our measures to promote them together with all our stakeholders. Hence, we are delighted that the extensive disclosure of our data has been recognized by EcoVadis with the highest possible award.”
Systematic review of sustainability performance
Detailed records of sustainability data form the basis for the EcoVadis rating. These are gathered within the framework of ISO certifications. GEA demonstrates a well-structured and documented sustainability strategy coupled with transparent practices and measures.
Today, EcoVadis assesses over 150,000 companies across more than 185 countries and 250 industries. The rating covers four key themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement. Companies must complete extensive questionnaires and provide supporting documentation for the information they disclose. This is then comprehensively analyzed and validated by a team of experts.
Performance underpinned by further milestones
Besides the EcoVadis rating, additional external accolades have contributed to GEA’s stellar performance. These include making Time Magazine’s list of the World’s 500 Most Sustainable Companies (GEA placed 33rd), an A score in the CDP climate list as well as inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.
Source: GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft
