The world’s largest press manufacturer joins more than 20,000 companies and organisations that are signatories to the scheme, which is described as the biggest corporate sustainability initiative in the world.

It involves ten universal principles focused on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, alongside actions that “advance societal goals”.

Heidelberg CEO Dr Ludwin Monz commented: "We see our participation in the UN Global Compact as a logical step in our efforts to have the smallest ecological footprint along the entire value chain in our industry.

“The company has already actively promoted environmental protection and social responsibility in the past and will further strengthen these efforts by becoming a part of the UN Global Compact.”

Heidelberg has committed to climate neutrality (Scope 1 and 2, excluding Scope 3) at its production, development and sales sites by 2030. In September it completed the installation of the group’s largest photovoltaic system yet at its Amstetten site in Austria. 

In September 2015, all 193 member states of the United Nations adopted a plan for achieving a better future for all — laying out a path over the next 15 years with ambitions to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect the planet.