Environmental protection 

For employees, environmental protection starts on their way to work. SICK has been awarded the Ecological Transport Seal presented by the Breisgau/Upper Black Forest district for its employees’ “clean” arrival. Those who travel by bicycle or share cars receive preferential parking spaces for their bikes and vehicles. Travel on public transport is encouraged with a heavily subsidized annual ticket.

Electronic communication throughout the company saves a lot of paper and toner. Environmental protection in the works halls begins during processing of the raw materials and continues until environmentally friendly packaging of the finished sensors: welding, spraying, bonding, cleaning – all production activities aim to achieve low energy and
raw material consumption. And, above all, attention is paid to protecting the environment. Thus, SICK prevents the creation of emissions, as well as solid and liquid wastes, wherever possible. Unavoidable residual materials are recycled – the current recycling rate for waste is 93 percent!

SICK reduces its energy and fuel consumption for heating and cooling buildings by means of modern heating technology, targeted insulation, green roof areas and active shading of buildings, among others. Fundamentally, only energy-saving lighting equipment is used. The headquarters in Waldkirch obtains green electricity and feeds energy into Waldkirch’s urban network from its solar plant on the roof of the Logistics Center.

Analysis and process measurement equipment from SICK works hard in harsh industrial environments, day and night. High-tech sensors from the process automation segment measure and analyze process gases, flue gases and liquids. Their areas of use include monitoring emissions from power stations and waste incineration plants, from steel and cement works, as well as from the petrochemical and chemical industries. Sensors from SICK even check air quality in road tunnels.

Many production processes are only really efficient when automated – SICK meets its product responsibility here, too. More than 30,000 different types of sensors ensure that production runs smoothly. This reduces rejection rates and thus saves raw materials. Sensors guarantee product quality, and intelligent logistics technologies cut transport distances and simplify processes. Thus, SICK products make a contribution towards the economical use of our planet’s resources, and environmental protection in all industries.