Climate and environmental protection: A core part of ZWILLING’s value creation

At every stage – production, procurement, logistics – we use resources and create emissions. We set clear targets and rely on data to shrink our environmental footprint, both in our own business and throughout our supply chain.

We don’t offset CO₂. Instead, we take action to cut emissions directly. Following the Net-Zero Standard from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), we are working to reduce direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) greenhouse gases by 42 percent by 2030, compared to 2021.

Our main levers:

• Cut process-related emissions
• Use energy more efficiently
• Switch to green electricity
• Expand solar energy generation onsite

Production needs energy – for melting, baking, running machines, heating, and lighting. We track energy use at every site, spot where we can save, and set reduction goals to match our 42 percent target by 2030 compared to 2021.

Energy-intensive sites get special focus. We create local roadmaps and back them with investment plans. First steps, like adding more solar panels, are already in place. We regularly check, update, and expand these plans. Plant managers lead the way, supported by our Action Field Leader for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Protection and the ZWILLING Sustainability Officer.

Strong data drives real change. Across Europe, we use automated systems to track energy use. Worldwide, our sites send monthly data, building a solid, consistent foundation.

All data flows into a central ESG tool, so we can analyse and report on sustainability across all locations. The tool meets ESRS requirements and ensures our reporting is compliant.

We make it easy to use, offering regular training and support for everyone collecting data onsite.

Most of our CO₂ footprint comes from the supply chain, not our own sites. In 2023, about 60 percent came from raw materials and traded goods. With limited primary data, we used a spend-based approach for our first Scope 3 accounting. We calculate CO₂ emissions for each product group using purchase volumes and database emission factors per euro spent.

To raise data quality, we defined signature products representing whole categories. For these, we gathered detailed info from suppliers on materials, weights, and processes. This lets us use activity-based emission factors and create a Carbon Footprint Light for each product group – a step towards more transparency in Scope 3.

We plan to gather more supplier data, spot reduction opportunities, and take action along the supply chain. Our analysis shows: aluminium is a major source of emissions, used in both our own and purchased products. Its CO₂ footprint is much higher than steel.

This highlights key levers – like boosting recycled aluminium content or using energy-saving production methods.

These insights guide ZWILLING to focus on the right areas, set clear Scope 3 reduction targets, and drive decarbonisation throughout the value chain.

At ZWILLING, sustainability starts not in the factory, but with the very first idea. We have aligned our innovation processes so that ecological criteria are considered from the outset – from the concept phase all the way to serial production. Extended producer responsibility criteria are also integrated early into product development. For us, this means:

• focusing on real CO₂ reduction rather than compensation,
• continuously reducing CO₂ emissions over the lifecycle of knives, cutlery, cookware and electrical appliances,
• developing products that are resource-efficient to manufacture, durable, repairable and remain in the value cycle for as long as possible,
• reducing packaging to what is necessary for product and transport protection, and switching to recyclable materials.

This approach is an integral part of our “Idea to Market” process, placing sustainability exactly where it has the greatest impact: in the development of new products.

How we are improving the climate impact of our products is demonstrated by the ZWILLING PRO example. In a multi-year project, we managed to reduce the carbon footprint of this successful knife series by more than half. First, we used a CO₂ audit to identify the production steps that generate the most greenhouse gases.

The results showed: Over 50% of emissions come from raw materials – especially steel. For every tonne of raw steel, around 7 tonnes of CO₂ emissions are generated, mainly during our suppliers’ steel production. To reduce this impact, we partnered with our steel supplier Stahl Krebs and steel producer Outokumpu.

Finnish company Outokumpu has developed a low-emission stainless steel under the Circle Green brand and further optimised it for ZWILLING knife production. Circle Green steel generates just 1.19 tonnes of CO₂e per tonne of steel produced – around 80% less than the industry average, and about 50% less than the special melt previously used.

This is made possible by improvements in the manufacturing process: mainly using single-grade steel scrap, with a recycled content of more than 80%. ZWILLING collects stamping scrap and offcuts from knife production and returns them to Outokumpu as high-quality secondary raw material. This creates a closed material loop, saving primary resources and significantly increasing resource efficiency.

Another advantage: The calculation method certified by TÜV Süd ensures that the stated CO₂ emission values apply to each individual steel batch. This quality-assured, emissions-reduced stainless steel has the same mechanical, chemical and physical properties as the material previously used – but with a significantly lower climate impact.

We have already switched two knife series to the new Circle Green stainless steel: alongside the ZWILLING PRO series, also the newly launched premium knife ZWILLING SPECTRUM. They can be identified by the engraving “RC” or “RCF” on the blade – standing for “Reduced Carbon Footprint” and making the lower CO₂ emissions transparent.

With ZWILLING FRESH & SAVE, we have developed a system together with consumers that combines high-tech, contemporary design and ecological benefits. Thanks to vacuum technology, food stays fresh up to five times longer than with conventional storage – reducing food waste and supporting sustainable consumption. Instead of disposable packaging, reusable containers are used. The accompanying app digitises food management: it helps keep track of expiry dates and sends reminders to use up food in time.

Continued strong demand shows: ZWILLING FRESH & SAVE meets a real need. And we’re constantly evolving our freshness system – with new features and practical accessories. This is how a sustainable ecosystem is created, flexibly adapting to users’ everyday lives. Because every food item that doesn’t end up in the bin counts.

Wood is a natural and durable material, used at ZWILLING mainly for knife blocks, chopping boards and knife handles. It is important to us that it comes from responsibly managed forests. That’s why we are working to continuously increase the proportion of FSC®-certified products – with the goal of offering only wood-based items with the FSC® label by 2030.

Already today, all knife blocks newly launched in Germany are offered exclusively with this certification. The wood comes from controlled sources that meet ecological, social and economic standards. In addition to sustainable origin, the supply chain is also audited according to Forest Stewardship Council guidelines – via so-called chain-of-custody certification. ZWILLING J.A. Henckels AG and its subsidiaries in Germany, the UK, the USA and Canada are already certified to FSC® standards. The Chinese subsidiary is currently preparing for certification.

To further increase transparency along the supply chain, the Forest Stewardship Council has developed FSC® Trace – an innovative, digital solution. This blockchain-based programme enables seamless tracking of FSC®-certified wood throughout the supply chain, strengthening trust in the sustainable origin of products.

ZWILLING is among the first companies to implement the system. FSC® Trace is linked via an interface to ZWILLING’s SAP system, allowing all relevant data to be exchanged, recorded and processed automatically. FSC® Trace also helps ZWILLING meet new EU requirements. From 2026, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires proof that wood products do not originate from illegal logging. FSC® Trace provides the digital foundation for this: it enables ZWILLING to deliver the required proof of origin transparently, efficiently and in a fully auditable manner.

Our packaging fulfils important protective, storage and transport functions – ensuring that our premium products reach retail partners and consumers safely and intact. At the same time, we are working to minimise negative environmental impacts as much as possible. Wherever feasible and ecologically sensible, we avoid plastic, reduce material use and eliminate unnecessary packaging. By 2030, we aim to convert 100% of our packaging to recyclable materials, enabling longer retention in the value chain.

We are also exploring the use of reusable solutions. Ecological packaging optimisation is now an integral part of our product design, playing a key role in launching new products and redesigning existing ones. In this way, we have already made the majority of our global range more sustainable and switched packaging to more eco-friendly alternatives.