Create a Sustainable Future for Better Business

A truly sustainable company takes a holistic view that encompasses its offering and production. New, sustainable solutions that exceed customer expectations must be developed and it is important to take full responsibility for the production chain. Success leads to a better world and better business.

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are very ambitious, aiming to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity. Achieving these goals will require cooperation between governments, academia and business, as well as new ways of thinking and working. Sandvik – the high-tech, global engineering group – explicitly supports the SDGs and has selected seven goals as being particularly relevant to its business, two of which are “Industry innovation” and “Responsible production”.

Innovation drives sustainability

Innovation and sustainability are closely interlinked. Customers expect solutions that improve their productivity, reduce their environmental impact, use less resources and improve health and safety for their employees. This creates demand for new, innovative solutions, which in turn are more energy-efficient. Sandvik believes that innovation and digitalization are key areas for creating a sustainable future.

Automation moves people above ground

The use of automated mining equipment contributes to a safer workplace by moving people above ground. Sandvik is a global leader in automation and has been working with self-driving vehicles in mines for 20 years without a single accident involving people. Where automation is not deployed, the underground work environment can be improved by using battery-powered mining equipment that reduces, for example, diesel particulates

Energy efficiency high on the agenda

Household needs for cooling both food and air are driving demand for compressors, which are fitted in refrigerators, freezers and air-conditioning units. Sandvik’s specially designed valve steel contributes to more energy-efficient solutions, and today’s compressors can be up to 50 percent more efficient than previous generations. This makes a big difference, since household appliances fitted with compressors represent a large part of household electricity consumption.

Another example of innovation driving energy efficiency and materials efficiency can be found in new production methods, such as Sandvik’s revolutionary turning method, PrimeTurning™. This method allows for turning in all directions and increases productivity by at least 50 percent.

Use, reuse and recycle

Sandvik wants to contribute to a circular society and has established ambitious targets and systems in such areas as energy efficiency, carbon emissions, water usage and waste, as well as reuse, reconditioning and recycling.

Sandvik buys back used inserts from its customers and make tools out of them. Making new tools from recycled cemented carbide consumes 70 percent less energy than if virgin raw materials are used, and carbon emissions are cut by 40 percent.

All stainless-steel products used by Sandvik comprise about 80 percent recovered material. All scrap from production – be it stainless steel, tools or drill bits – is recovered and returned to production to minimize waste.

In other words, striving to fulfil the SDGs and striving every day to capitalize on business opportunities go hand in hand.