Vetrotech’s Würselen Site Amplifies Its Environmental Ambitions 

Vetrotech Saint-Gobain has set stringent sustainability goals for its global operations, and prioritized transparency in all of its efforts toward this end. Now, by securing ISO 14001 certification, the production site Vetrotech Saint-Gobain Würselen, Germany, producing both fire-rated, high-security, specialty and Marine glazing has publicly committed to continuous improvement in its resource management and in the actions taken to achieve a more sustainable future.   

ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard that demonstrates an organization’s dedication to reducing its environmental impact. Through the standard, organizations gain a framework for developing, implementing, and continually improving progress toward their environmental goals. This framework encompasses various operational aspects, including resource usage, waste management, and water consumption.  

While the Würselen plant already utilizes a number of company-wide measures to reduce its environmental impact, including waste management strategies and closed-loop recirculation of production water, ISO 14001 certification will drive enhancements to these and other practices.   

This continuous improvement work is still in its early stages. A cross-departmental team is at work evaluating existing strategies in order to identify and prioritize opportunities for improvement. As part of its ISO 14001 responsibilities, the team’s progress will be subject to annual audits by an external body.  

Vetrotech has always been on the safe side, and our uncompromising dedication to safety extends to our environmental responsibility. The measures required for ISO 14001 certification align with our aim of implementing sustainable practices across our operations and through our supplier chain.   

Our dedication to environmental responsibility has driven us to be ambitious, but also accountable. We’ve implemented verifiable company-wide waste management and recycling optimization, LED lighting, and closed-loop recirculation of production water. We also publicly report our CO2 impact annually and have committed to cutting our own CO2 emissions to their lowest possible levels before offsetting what remains with credits. In addition, the base material in our products is glass from a minimum of 30% pre-consumer waste. Our Environmental Product Declarations – developed in compliance with EN 15804 and ISO 14025 standards, approved by an independent verifier, and registered with The International EPD® System – provide visibility into our products’ environmental impact.   

It’s a good start, and we’re doing more. Our aim is to not emit any more carbon than we absorb by 2050 to achieve true net zero, with emphasis on the verifiable true.