How we contribute to a sustainable future

Traditionally ahead of our time

Sustainability and long-term vision are integral parts of our corporate strategy and social responsibility. For more than 170 years, we have been thinking and acting with a long-term view, developing sustainable solutions that still work when the future has long since become the past.

Our future is not decided tomorrow but today. Today we must find the answers to the questions of tomorrow. In the here and now, we develop sustainable filtration technologies and clever product solutions of the highest quality.

Taking action is part of our corporate culture. Our ambition: climate-neutral by 2039.

Sustainability strategy with hand and foot

Essentially, we follow two approaches: First, we continuously minimize the impact of our own operations (our “footprint") by using energy and materials efficiently.  Second, we help our customers to do the same with the products they produce (their “handprint") via our innovative products and services.


“With the footprint and handprint model, Freudenberg is taking a far-reaching approach to sustainability that is having an impact right through to customers' processes.” Dr. Matthias Waldenmaier, Global Vice President Quality & HSE at Freudenberg Filtration Technologies

  • ​​​​Footprint: Less is more: "Footprint" refers to the volume of resources we consume in producing our products and providing our services. The goal is to significantly reduce our use of energy and materials and continuously reduce waste, scrap and emissions.
  • Handprint: The more the better: "Handprint" refers to the impact of our customers' products. Through our innovative solutions, we enable them to reduce their own resource consumption and emissions. The larger this "handprint", the greater the benefit for the environment and for consumers.
[Translate to English (US):] Hand and Footprint
[Translate to English (US):] Photovoltaic Shunde

Green electricity self-generation

At Freudenberg, when it comes to goals for tackling climate change and achieving CO2 neutrality, renewable energy is a key driver. Along with the purchase of green electricity, self-generation is an important aspect that is becoming increasingly relevant. One example is the Freudenberg Filtration Technologies site in Shunde, China, where a photovoltaic array was commissioned in fall 2022. At over 9,500 square meters, the array is one of the largest in the Freudenberg Group.

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Every kilowatt hour counts

Companies aiming to reduce their energy consumption – and therefore their energy costs – need to look at the operation of their fans and HVAC systems. They account for a significant share of industrial energy consumption. Filtration solutions from the Freudenberg Group can help to lower the energy costs of such systems by up to 30 percent. Numerous companies from various sectors of industry have already opted for energy-efficient filter solutions from Freudenberg and are now enjoying the benefits.

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Efficient wastewater treatment to save resources and reduce costs

Continuous evolution of our technologies has led to significant reductions in energy in treatment and reuse, without detriment to excellent quality, operational simplicity and security of operation. Our technology development in the fields of membrane bioreactors, aeration, physico-chemical, anaerobic digestion, heat recovery and potable and softened water reuse of industrial wastewater means that our customers benefit from meeting market and legislative trends and keep ahead of their competition.

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We are Alliance Member of the Sustainability Initiative Blue Competence.

Blue Competence is an initiative of the VDMA for promoting and communication of sustainable solutions for the Mechanical Engineering Industry. By using the sign “Blue Competence”, we commit ourselves to these twelve Sustainability Guidelines of the Mechanical Engineering Industry: www.bluecompetence.net/about.

Sustainability at Freudenberg Group

The Freudenberg Group is a member of the Global Compact of the United Nations.

[Translate to English (US):] Sustainable Development Goals

This is a voluntary agreement that currently has roughly 19,000 signatories – including over 12,000 companies from over 160 countries – who commit to managing their business with a value orientation and a focus on sustainability. Freudenberg focuses on eight of the 17 UN Global Compact goals.

Step by Step to Climate Neutrality

Responsibility Report 2022