Operational efficiency at its best

With the world’s urban population expected to increase from 3.5 billion today to 6.3 billion by 2050, there are new needs for buildings and infrastructure, for living standards, for safety and for the creation of sustainable societies. That’s why KONE works closely with its customers to design eco-efficient solutions for buildings which make them more energy efficient. Not only that, the company is constantly improving its own operations to reduce the environmental impact.

KONE’s operational environmental work focuses on reducing its carbon footprint, improving energy and material efficiency, lowering water consumption and minimising the use of hazardous substances.

According to KONE’s Life Cycle Assessment data from 2016, almost 90% of the materials used in the manufacturing and packaging of KONE elevators and escalators, consists of recyclable metals. For starters, KONE’s equipment does not contain harmful substances like chlorinated solvents, asbestos or lead-basedpaints.

The wave of renewables

The share of “green” electricity used in KONE’s offices, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities rose to 28% in 2016 from 19% in 2015. The increase is significant and certain KONE sites are leading the way. For instance, 100% of the electricity used at KONE’s corporate head offices and its manufacturing and R&D sites in Finland, Italy, and the Netherlands is green electricity produced from renewable sources. And in one other example, 30% of the electricity used by

KONE’s US Operations Centre in Moline, Illinois, comes from over 1,300 solar panels.

Besides renewables, KONE is using fuel-efficient vehicles, introducing electrical vehicles, rightsizing them, and monitoring driver performance to reduce the potential carbon footprint. Even in the area of logistics, KONE optimises its transportation networks, improves how space is used when loading vehicles, and minimises the use of air freight by increasing the use of railways and waterways.

KONE’s dedicated efforts to make a difference both within and outside the company are being noticed. In 2017, the company was  recognized for its actions and strategies in response to climate change. KONE received a score of A- on climate action and is in the top category for advancing environmental stewardship.

KONE Environmental Excellence 2017-2021

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