Sustainability and CSR
As a trading and manufacturing company with a high degree of international business activity, Betech is committed to initiatives that develop and contribute to sustainable production and business behavior both within ourselves and throughout our network of customers and suppliers.
In our own production and in our dealings with subcontractors, we comply with the REACH, RoHS and WEEE directives in an effort to protect both the environment and people from harmful chemicals and materials.
With our Code of Conduct, we commit ourselves and our suppliers to comply with the ten principles of the UN Global Compact regarding human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.
At Betech, with our 3-legged strategy for green and sustainable development, you get several reassuring benefits:
- A partner and supplier that works with development throughout the supply chain
- A partner and supplier working on improvements in areas that are widely accepted as relevant and essential to the industry
- A partner and supplier with support and guidance for the green transition from an international owner group
Focus areas for sustainable development
Betech supports the Addtech Group's integrated sustainability model and focuses on development within three overall, widely recognized areas:
- Sustainable business - We must maximize the share of sales and services that contribute to a sustainable transition and development.
- Sustainable organization - We must reduce the carbon intensity of our own business operations through efficient transportation of goods, less use of traditional business travel and minimized energy consumption.
- Sustainable supply chain - We must continuously evaluate suppliers' commitment to sustainable development and ensure their ratification and compliance with our Code of Conduct.
Current SDG initiatives
In all three focus areas, our goal is to achieve and ensure business decisions, conditions and processes that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Below are the initiatives that we have currently found relevant, essential and realistic.
Sustainable business
Upcycling of waste materials
No matter how efficiently we try to utilize raw materials and 'nest' production orders, we will inevitably have leftover materials from the manufacturing of gaskets and seals.
In collaboration with THE UPCYCL - a Danish initiative for sustainable recycling - we seek to circulate unused material residues from our production to companies in other markets. The life cycle of materials is extended in new supply chains for the benefit of the environment. Waste becomes a resource and reduces the need for new, virgin materials.
Better use of resources - The initiative contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 by reducing the consumption/exploitation of natural resources.
Sustainable business
Scrap metal recycling
No matter how efficiently we try to utilize materials, we will inevitably have leftover residue from the production of metal gaskets. Copper, aluminum, iron and stainless steel are sorted and sold for recycling.
Recycling metals has many benefits for the environment and climate: Recycling 1 ton of iron, for example, saves over 1 ton of CO2 emissions. Recycling aluminum is excellent, as the material is energy-intensive to produce: Recycling saves 95% of the energy compared to producing aluminum from new ore.
Better use of resources - The initiative contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 by reusing refined natural resources instead of landfilling slag after waste incineration.
Sustainable business
Local supply of rubber compound
A significant proportion of molded rubber parts are manufactured in China, including at Betech's sister company in Qingdao. Many compounds (non-vulcanized rubber compounds) are manufactured in Europe and transported to the Chinese factory where the moulding takes place.
Betech is actively working to convert compound production to local suppliers in China, thereby saving the initial transportation. This is possible because Betech has the mixing recipes at its disposal.
Reduced carbon footprint - The initiative contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation of raw materials and semi-finished products.
Sustainable business
Transportation by rail from China
Since January 2022, the preferred mode of transportation for serial productions and other large consignments from China has changed from air and sea transport to rail.
Over the years, more and more shipments have been transported by air. By changing the mode of transport, the transport-related carbon footprint is reduced from up to 704 to just 32.7 grams per ton∙km, a potential reduction of 95 percent.
Rail also offers shorter transit times and better security of supply than the immediate alternative, freighter transportation.
Today, air freight is only exceptionally offered as a transportation option.
Reduced carbon footprint - The initiative contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the distribution of goods.
Sustainable business
Shipping on fixed days of the week
To reduce transportation intensity from our warehouse to customers in Denmark and Norway, Betech has introduced fixed shipping days.
This means that frequent customers who receive goods from us several times a week or even every day will now receive goods from Betech once or - if very necessary - twice a week.
Reduced carbon footprint - With fixed shipping days, the volume of goods delivered per transport increases and the carbon intensity of our domestic delivery service is reduced. The initiative contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13.
Sustainable organization
Digital invoice processing
Since 2021, Betech has been receiving and processing invoices from creditors digitally.
Documents are automatically scanned and prepared for approval, coding and payment. Digitalization has streamlined the workflow and reduced the consumption of copy paper, printer toner and electricity.
Less resource consumption and reduced carbon footprint - The initiative contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 13 by reducing the consumption/utilization of natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable organization
Green power and minimal electricity consumption for lighting
From New Year 2024, Betech will switch to 100% green power at its locations in Herlev and Bramming.
In 2023, the office lighting with fluorescent tubes is replaced with LED light sources. In addition to much lower power consumption, a significant improvement in the working environment has been achieved.
Replacement of light sources in production and service rooms continues section by section until all room lighting is LED technology.
Reduced carbon footprint - The initiative contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption for lighting in office and manufacturing spaces.
Sustainable organization
Less and Greener energy for heating
At the Herlev location, heat pumps were installed in 2022 in all offices and work areas (air-to-air). District heating is only used for domestic water heating and limited heating of service rooms during the winter period.
At the Bramming location, the consumption of gas for space heating has been reduced by installing heat pumps in the canteen area (2019) and in the offices (2023).
The room temperature is lowered in the production buildings during the winter period, and new control automation should enable a further reduction in gas consumption for water and space heating. When and if possible, connection to district heating should be considered.
Reduced carbon footprint - The initiative contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption for heating office and production space.
Sustainable supply chain
Evaluation of suppliers and their commitment to CSR
Betech collaborates globally with a diverse network of suppliers and partners to provide commodities and raw materials for the production of finished goods for our customers.
We take responsibility for sustainable trade based on sound conditions. Therefore, suppliers must agree to and comply with the 'Code of Conduct for Suppliers' drawn up by our owner group.
The Code of Conduct for Suppliers is based on the UN Global Compact, the ILO conventions on child and forced labor, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, competition law and anti-corruption.
80 percent of procurement volume must be evaluated
To ensure commitment and compliance with the Code of Conduct, suppliers are evaluated via a digital questionnaire. The goal is to have at least 80 percent of our purchasing volume represented in the survey over time.
Decency, accountability and justice - The initiative contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 (decent jobs and economic growth), 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 16 (peace, justice and strong organizations).
Code of Conduct
As part of the Group's CSR policy, Betech's suppliers are committed to the Addtech Group's Code of Conduct for Suppliers.
As part of the Group's CSR policy, Betech's employees are committed to the Addtech Group's Code of Conduct.
CSR policy and reporting
Betech is committed to the Addtech Group's Corporate Social Responsibility policy and contributes to the joint reporting and sustainability efforts.
Whistleblower scheme
The Addtech Group and all subsidiaries strive to maintain high business ethics and transparency in the business environment. We value the safety and respect of everyone affected by our business. Therefore, we offer a whistleblower service that can be used by anyone to report irregularities that violate our values and code of conduct.
To ensure anonymity in the whistleblowing function, we use an external partner, Whistle B.
Charity
Betech supports the European charity cycling team Team Rynkeby, which raises funds for children with critical illnesses through various exercise biking activities. The funds are donated to Danish and international foundations and organizations.
