FACC: Awards for sustainability which makes its mark

FACC has ranked among the international technology leaders in the aerospace industry for more than 30 years. With innovative products and technologies, the company is making flying quieter, safer, faster, more efficient and more sustainable. In recognition of this uncompromising commitment to climate and environmental protection, FACC has now received the GreenTech Award 2020/2021. Moreover, the leading Austrian company has been awarded eccos22® and ONR 192500 certification for its consistent CSR and sustainability strategy as well as the "Seal of Approval for Excellence in Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility" from the CSR Dialog Forum. 

FACC = lightweight construction = more efficient = CO2 reduction: FACC is the specialist for innovative lightweight components within the aerospace industry. The company's customers include all renowned aircraft and engine manufacturers worldwide. For aircraft components, FACC relies on composites that are considerably lighter than metal, but are also tremendously resilient and robust. Lightweight construction, coupled with newly developed aerodynamic designs, makes a significant contribution to more efficient, quieter and "greener" flying. This reduces fuel consumption and minimizes CO2 emissions.

Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC AG, is convinced: “Global air traffic is currently responsible for 2.7 percent of worldwide CO2 emissions. Fifty years ago, this percentage was 5.4 and thus twice as high. Yet the number of flights has increased significantly during this period. The aircraft industry, however, is not resting on its laurels after these successes. We want to continue to improve together – and FACC is making a significant contribution to reaching this goal. The aviation industry is committed to the goals of the Green Deal; the declared commitment is to enable CO2 neutral flying in 2050. FACC is actively shaping the mobility of the future through focused basic research and the development of new product innovations.”

An intelligent mix of measures

The spheres of action targeted by FACC's sustainability strategy extend far beyond product development. A bundle of measures also seeks to minimize the direct impact of the company's business activities on the environment. The company is a front runner in this area, as sustainability has been a high priority at FACC for decades. With its intelligent energy management system, FACC is striving to become self-sufficient in energy while increasing the use of renewable energy and energy recovery systems. FACC started to supply the first plant with geothermal heat in 2000, and since 2015 all plants in Austria have been heated with geothermal energy and thus almost CO2 neutral and independent of fossil fuels. The amount of energy saved by FACC corresponds to the heating requirements of the district capital Ried. FACC is also exploiting the potential of the sun and, in recent years, has pushed ahead with the expansion of high-performance photovoltaic systems. The declared goal: From the year 2040, FACC will be a CO2 neutral high-tech industrial company that is independent of fossil fuels. The push for automation and digitalization also promotes efficiency increases and energy optimization in manufacturing. Moreover, FACC is working intensively on implementing a sparing use of raw materials along the entire value chain. Proactive management avoids waste in advance and minimizes the use of problematic materials and chemicals in production. At the same time, the high-tech company has set itself the goal of co-shaping the mobility of the future with the materials of tomorrow. The topics explored range from the development of bionic structures derived from nature and integral construction methods for reducing component diversity to e-mobility, particularly Urban Air Mobility, and autonomous aircraft.

Certification for social responsibility

As a company operating on a global scale, FACC not only seeks to impress in the areas of technology and research. The company also provides answers to questions concerning social and societal responsibility towards both current and future generations. This benefits the company's employees as well as the entire economic region of Upper Austria and its people. FACC's strategic CSR and sustainability management has now been awarded prestigious eccos22® certification, which includes United Nations standards as well as other international sustainability guidelines. eccos22® provides the first management assessment system for business excellence and sustainability worldwide. A further important milestone for FACC is the ONR 192500 certification, which recognizes the company's ongoing success and achievements in the field of corporate social responsibility. The two awards were presented by Dr. Angelika Winzig, Austrian Head of Delegation in the EU Parliament and patron of the FACC eccos22® ceremony, and DI Axel Dick, Business Development Environment and Energy as well as CSR at Quality Austria. DI Sabine Nadherny-Borutin, Vice President of the CSR Dialogue Forum, which is accredited and in consultative status with the United Nations, and Secretary General of Plastics Europe Austria finally presented the "Seal of Approval for Excellence in Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility" of the CSR Dialogue Forum.
The Society for Consumer Studies also presents the GreenTech Award 2020/2021 to FACC. This marks the first time that Austrian companies have been honored for their documented and active commitment to climate protection. "These certifications and awards make us very proud. I would like to thank the entire workforce who have all contributed to making these achievements a reality," emphasizes Robert Machtlinger.