BekaertDeslee earns SBTi validation for carbon emission reduction targets

The textile industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, with household textiles like mattresses playing a substantial role. BekaertDeslee CEO Eric Lachambre emphasizes the company's dedication to environmental stewardship, stating, “We are dedicated to improving the lives of many by committing to a significant reduction of our carbon footprint. By calculating our emissions according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and identifying reduction opportunities, we aim to achieve our goals with the support of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).”

Targets for 2030 Approved

BekaertDeslee has pledged to reduce its Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heating, and cooling) emissions by 64.2% by 2030, compared to 2021 levels. In 2023, Scope 1 and 2 emissions totaled 46,395 tCO2e, less than 10% of the company’s total carbon footprint. The majority of emissions, 483,184 tCO2e in 2023, fall under Scope 3, originating from the value chain, including purchased goods and end-of-life product disposal.

These targets have now been validated by SBTi, an independent organization that supports corporate climate action.

Ambitious Actions Across All Scopes

BekaertDeslee plans to implement several measures to achieve these goals. Executive Vice President for Sustainability, Marketing & Strategy, Kévin Burkel, explains, “For Scope 1, we will install energy-efficient heating systems, develop new manufacturing processes and machines, improve existing facilities' energy performance, and invest in renewable energy infrastructure.”

Reducing Scope 2 emissions is a short-term priority. “We are purchasing more green electricity for our plants and investing in our own renewable energy capacities. For Scope 3, we focus on using more recycled materials, developing products that are easier to recycle, and sourcing more renewable materials. A pivotal initiative involves recycling our textile waste for a cradle-to-cradle solution,” Burkel adds.

Reducing CO2 emissions is part of BekaertDeslee’s broader sustainability roadmap, which also emphasizes sustainable products, climate action, and a circular economy. CEO Eric Lachambre notes, “We will continue working on a more holistic sustainability strategy to build a better tomorrow and to secure our industry leadership role for the future.”

For more insight into BekaertDeslee’s sustainability efforts, explore the Sustainability Report 2023.