Sustainability

Throughout the innovation process, GF Piping Systems utilizes a sustainability assessment to evaluate and continuously improve the sustainability profile of all projects. 

This includes assessing their potential for the circular economy. Furthermore, we evaluate new, more circular business models and already operate a pool of rental machines and tools available to our customers.

Several of our products help clients to fulfill requirements for building standards and certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, DGNB, and Minergie.

GF Piping Systems calculates and supports the calculation of life cycle assessments (LCAs) and environmental product declarations (EPDs) to assess the environmental impact of products and solutions along their life cycle. Find the studies here.

Check out some of our highlight products:

• Reducing water losses with NeoFlow
• Increasing energy efficiency with COOL-FIT
• Securing drinking water with Hycleen

Find out more about how we tackle sustainability challenges for life here.

We have launched our first products with up to 20% bio-based PVC obtained from tall oil, a waste stream from the paper industry. Further products and polymer groups will follow.

Find out more about our bio-attributed PVC products here.

Extraction of certain raw materials, notably tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold, known as conflict minerals, involves potential social and environmental risks. For this reason, GF Piping Systems follows the recommendations of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI). By regularly disclosing transparent information about our minerals supply chain and encouraging our suppliers to do the same, we promote responsible minerals sourcing globally.

GF Piping Systems uses supplier sustainability assessments and, where necessary, corrective action plans to reduce the CO₂ footprint and increase awareness of supply chain responsibility. Where no change is possible, GF Piping Systems looks for alternative suppliers.

EcoVadis is a leading sustainability rating that assesses companies in the areas environment, ethics, labor & human rights, and sustainable procurement. GF Piping Systems consults ratings of its suppliers, and undertakes the assessment itself to support stakeholders in making informed choices.

The operations of GF Piping Systems are certified according to ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 management systems. In addition, a selection of sites is certified according to ISO 50001 as well.

Developed using SBTi criteria and recommendations, GF's scope 1 and 2 target will draw on the latest climate science for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Although scope 3 emissions are indirect to GF's operations, the company will set an intensity target in cooperation with suppliers and customers.

Electricity makes up around 50% of total energy consumption at GF Piping Systems and is thus an important lever to reduce operational GHG emissions. We purchase certified renewable electricity and generate our own renewable electricity. In 2021, around 20% of the total electricity we consumed stemmed from renewable sources. We will continuously increase this share in the future.

Wherever technically and economically feasible, GF Piping Systems recycles production scrap and waste. Where quality and regulatory standards allow, we mix scrap with virgin raw materials to maximize resource efficiency and capture material value. Overall, more than half of the waste we generate is being recycled.

GF Piping Systems is a member of Operation Clean Sweep. By joining the initiative, we aim to achieve zero plastic pellet loss by sharing and implementing best practices across our operations.

At GF Piping Systems safety is a priority. As part of the GF Sustainability Framework 2025, we are committed to reducing the accident rate by 30%. We will achieve this target by implementing accredited safety standards and management systems, as well as conducting safety trainings and campaigns. We will also carry out internal and external safety audits, thorough accident reporting, and sharing best-practices across production locations.

We collaborate with carriers to optimize transportation routes and frequency of deliveries. To manage transportation of our finished products, we track tonnage, distances and transportation modes. We aim to replace carbon-intensive transportation with lower-emission alternatives and are working on a CO₂ emissions reduction target for our outbound transports.

Throughout GF Piping Systems, various initiatives have been implemented and are underway to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and increase ease of use for customers.