The world’s largest manufacturer of printing presses has set up a new ESG (environmental, social and governance) panel headed by Dr Eva Boll, reporting directly to CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer, although it also pointed out that sustainability had been “a core aspect of corporate strategy” for the business since the early 1990s. 

Boll commented: “Heidelberg takes a holistic view of sustainability management and factors in all aspects, such as climate and environmental protection with regard to the production and use of its products, and social criteria.

“Over the coming weeks and months, we will be continuing to work step by step on the catalogue of criteria and planned measures. By the end of the current financial year, we will create a roadmap with interim targets for the years ahead. The environment, cost-efficiency, and social responsibility will all go hand in hand.”

Boll has worked at Heidelberg for eight years and was previously group manager for product-related environmental protection and chemical compliance. She took up the new role of ESG manager and project manager ESG at the beginning of July.

Back in 2012 Heidelberg laid claim to being the first press manufacturer to calculate the CO2 emissions associated with the production of its presses (from cradle to gate) and will manufacture presses on a carbon-neutral basis based on customers’ requirements. 

Separately, Heidelberg has also agreed a new strategic collaboration with IT giant SAP to offer intelligent charging solutions combining its Wallbox product and SAP’s E-Mobility smart software. 

Heidelberg’s share price reached a 52-week high of €2.88 (£2.45) at the end of last month, and having subsequently slipped was up 6% today at €2.56. (52-week low: €0.70.)