Creators, makers, pioneers

Around 13,000 employees, globally active and passionate about innovation — that is the way to achieve both market and technological leadership. We are Körber. Presenting our Group.

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We are Körber

Körber is a leading international technology group that has around 13,000 employees at over 100 locations worldwide. We are the home for entrepreneurs — we turn entrepreneurial thinking into customers success. Körber AG manages the Group and its four Business Areas: Digital, Pharma, Supply Chain and Technologies.

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The Körber Insights shows the entire spectrum of the Körber world: We give our view of exciting developments and trends, as well as innovations and technologies. We also highlight personalities who drive Körber forward every day with their entrepreneurial spirit and new ideas.

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Sustainability

We develop innovative products, solutions and services for a more sustainable tomorrow and introduce the people who make them possible. Find out more in our Sustainability Report 2024.

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Together towards net-zero

The key to successful CO₂e emissions reduction in all three emissions categories as per the GHG Protocol is trust-based cooperation between employees, partners, customers, and suppliers.

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Career

Wanted: team players. The know-how, creativity, and dedication of our employees have made us a successful technology company in Germany and worldwide. Now we want to shape the future — with you! We offer exciting positions for experts, young professionals, university students, and high school students.

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"Modern leadership culture has a performance-enhancing effect"

A working climate that promotes innovation, diversity, and the courage to tell uncomfortable truths is more central than ever to a company's success today. In an interview, Gabriele Fanta, Head of Group Human Resources, explains how the new leadership principles at Körber specifically strengthen fruitful collaboration in everyday working life.

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What comes after traineeship, Max?

Experience report: After graduating in mechatronics and mechanical engineering, Max Döring became a trainee at Körber. Today, he is Technical Product Manager at our Körber Business Area Pharma.

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Procurement and Supply Chain Management

Procurement and Supply Chain Management

Joint future-proof activities are the foundation of sustainable procurement. Körber, as a globally leading technology group, therefore places great value on the optimal purchasing of materials and services.

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Home Sustainability 2024 Environment

Environment

Together towards net-zero: Körber aims for consistent CO₂e reduction in all scopes

Climate change is one of the major challenges of our times. The international community drew up ambitious goals in Paris to limit global warming to less than two degrees Celsius.

“When it comes to reducing emissions, the key to success lies in cooperation, both in-house and externally. Without close cooperation between all relevant functions and experts in the company or with customers and suppliers, we won’t be in a position to accomplish our ambitious climate goals. Whether it’s replacing traditional gas or creating solutions to bring green energy to areas where it’s not yet available – it always takes the expertise of a committed, cross-functional team to identify the right solutions.”

Michaela Thiel, Head of Sustainability, Körber AG

Körber takes responsibility and adopts a clear strategy: “We cut our greenhouse gas emissions through a comprehensive strategy and specific measures which help us to achieve our ambitious goals in all three scopes,” states Michaela Thiel, Head of Sustainability at Körber. “In 2024, we reaffirmed our commitment under the Science Based Targets initiative. Given the complexity of the subject matter, building effective, trust-based relationships with employees, partners, customers, and suppliers is a priority in all measures.”

When recording and reporting on their impact on the environment, companies divide their greenhouse gas emissions into three categories or ‘scopes’. The system developed by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol helps organizations to identify and manage their direct and indirect emissions.

Scope 1 emissions
These comprise direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by a company:
- Stationary fuel combustion in devices such as furnaces and heating systems
- Mobile fuel combustion: Emissions from the company’s vehicle fleet
- Fugitive emissions such as coolant leaks from air conditioning systems
- Process emissions
The most direct influence can be exerted on Scope 1 emissions, but these often account for the smallest share of a company’s overall emissions.

Scope 2 emissions
These encompass indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased energy such as electricity, steam, heating, and cooling. These emissions are produced during generation, not the consumption of the energy. They comprise about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Scope 3 emissions
These comprise all indirect emissions in a company’s value chain produced by processes outside the company but are related to the company’s production processes and operations. Although the company does not control these emissions directly, they can constitute a considerable proportion of its total emissions. Recording and reducing emissions in a value chain is a complex task due to the many actors and processes outside the company’s direct control, but it offers great potential for climate protection measures. 

Two categories are particularly relevant for Körber:

- Scope 3.11 use of sold products: This scope comprises emissions which are generated during the expected service life of products sold by the company during the reporting year. This category can account for a considerable proportion of total emissions, especially for manufacturers of energy-intensive or long-lasting products.
- Scope 3.1 emissions from purchased goods and services: This category comprises all upstream emissions generated while manufacturing products or providing services which the company purchases. In addition to extraction and production of raw materials, these emissions also include transport of goods and suppliers’ manufacturing processes. Scope 3.1 emissions constitute a significant proportion of many companies’ total greenhouse gas emissions.

Körber is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Corporate Net Zero Standard and thus pursues the 1.5-degree goal of the Paris Agreement on climate protection. Körber’s net zero goals have been verified and published by the SBTi since 2023. Körber is listed as a ‘Business Ambition for 1.5°C Campaign Member’ on the SBTi website.

The SBTi is a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund for Nature. Established in 2015, this climate protection organization helps companies to set comprehensive emission reduction targets based on scientific knowledge and thus make their contribution to combating the climate crisis. 

The SBTi’s main undertakings comprise the development of standards and guidelines for science-based climate goals, provision of technical support and resources for companies, and independent assessment and validation of company targets.

More than 10,000 companies (as of March 2025) and financial institutions have already joined the SBTi. SBTi-validated targets are regarded as a benchmark for climate protection measures within the economy worldwide. 

Cooperation between diverse stakeholders is crucial for achieving climate goals — this is clear both internally, through the cross-functional work within Körber’s sustainability initiative, and externally across all three scopes of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol:

  • Scope 1 and 2: collaboration with landlords and owners to ensure climate-friendly building infrastructure optimization
  • Scope 3.1: collaboration with suppliers to identify their actual emissions and reduce them in the future
  • Scope 3.11: collaboration with customers to optimize energy consumption in machines and promote renewable energies

Körber’s focus on these extensive, cooperative measures has resulted in quantifiable successes.

CDP is a globally renowned non-profit organization which assesses companies based on their transparency and performance in addressing climate change. Its classification ranges from D- (lowest rating) to A (highest rating), based on a detailed questionnaire.

Scope 1 and 2: clear targets, quantifiable successes

Körber aims to make its direct emissions and those from purchased energy carbon neutral by 2025. Furthermore, it intends to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by 90 percent compared to 2021 by 2030 as part of its net-zero goal. To achieve this, the company is prioritizing renewable energies, low-carbon travel, and optimized energy use. 
The results speak for themselves: In 2024, market-based emissions in Scopes 1 and 2 decreased by 17 percent in comparison to the previous year and by 44 percent compared to 2021. This fall is primarily attributed to the increased share of renewable energy. In 2024, 61 percent of the electricity purchased worldwide came from renewable sources while a further 38 percent were covered by certificates of origin. Körber also put two photovoltaic systems into operation, delivering 2,840 kWp, with two further systems, producing 1,050 kWp, set to follow in 2025.


17
percent of market-based emissions in Scope 1 and 2 fell in 2024 compared to the previous year.
44
percent of market-based emissions in Scope 1 and 2 fell in 2024 compared to 2021.
29
percent of newly ordered vehicles were electric cars in 2024.

“We have already switched all suitable locations over to green electricity,” declares Thiel. Where this is not directly possible, Körber opts for energy certificates. The company fleet is also being electrified: 29 percent of newly ordered vehicles were electric cars in 2024. 

Core focus areas for energy consumption optimization included improving energy efficiency in existing properties, taking sustainability aspects into account for new build projects, and optimization of the technical building infrastructure. One key element in this regard is working together with landlords and property owners.

“To fulfill our commitment to sustainable building usage and development, we need to bring together in-house teams, external partners and, in particular, landlords, investors, and developers. By working together, we can advance key strategic areas with focus, using a holistic approach. In this context, building energy analyses have great potential for using energy efficiently and conserving resources, providing the foundation for developing customized action plans for our properties.”

Sascha Terzic, Real Estate Manager, Körber AG

Körber favors long-term solutions and is aware of the specific challenges in the sector. “When entering into leases for new real estate, we regard a sustainability strategy and a corresponding certification rating as fundamental prerequisites. The real estate sector has yet to develop its own proper, robust standards and is currently still at the exploration stage. In the case of properties leased for the mid- or long-term, we are drawing up suitable, effective measures and concepts in conjunction with landlords,” explains Sascha Terzic, Real Estate Manager at Körber. “One of the specific real estate challenges in 2024 also included buildings which are not well-suited for an upgrade with large-scale energy measures – either because their architecture does not allow it or a switch to biogas is not possible due to a lack of system infrastructure. However, we’re also working closely with landlords of such properties to advance sustainability initiatives.”

Körber wishes to increase the use of biogas to ensure a sustainable energy supply. However, obtaining biogas is difficult in some cases worldwide due to local availability issues. As a result, the goal of connecting all suitable locations to a biogas supply by 2025 poses a particular challenge for the Group. In view of this issue, Körber is also investigating technical alternatives and the acquisition of biogas certificates. The company is continuing to use conventional natural gas for the time being since there is no guarantee that the SBTi will recognize biogas certificates at the moment and a physical conversion to natural gas alternatives is not viable at many locations. Once the SBTi approves the use of biogas certificates alongside its actual consumption, Körber will make this change and explore further technically feasible options for a complete transition away from natural gas for the long term at specific locations.

Scope 3: accepting challenges, promoting innovations

Körber is actively taking on the challenges of reducing indirect emissions throughout the value chain, pursuing ambitious goals: The company commits to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 3 by 90 percent compared to 2021 by 2040. The greatest potential for impact lies in reducing emissions from purchased goods and services (Scope 3.1) and in the usage phase for sold products (Scope 3.11).

Ecodesign as a success factor for sustainable products and processes

Körber works closely with customers to optimize energy consumption in machines and promote the use of renewable energies. “Our greatest challenge is downstream emissions, in particular energy consumption by our products at customers’ locations,” affirms Pablo Ros, Governance, Risk and Assurance Manager in the Körber Business Area Supply Chain, who has been involved in calculating the greenhouse gas inventory since the Körber Sustainability Initiative was launched. 

“A Center of Excellence for Ecodesign helps us to overcome this challenge. The design stage has a significant impact on future emissions. Advances in Ecodesign have enormous effects on emissions from our future products.”

“The great thing about decarbonization is that our customers’ success stories are also a success story for us and ours for them. If we improve our emissions in Scope 3 through Ecodesign, our customers’ Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions will also improve. If they use green energy to operate our machines and production lines, we reduce our emissions in Scope 3.11. It is a true win-win situation that leaves me feeling confident.”

Pablo Ros, Governance, Risk & Assurance Manager, Körber Business Area Supply Chain

Improving emissions calculation is another priority. “In 2024, we drew up dedicated standards to precisely document simulations and measurements,” states Ros. “We cannot discuss in detail how we can reduce our footprint until we know where we stand.” One promising initiative is the collaboration with customers where Körber gathers information about their use of renewable energy in relation to Körber’s machines: “If customers operate our machines with green electricity, this has a significant impact on our footprint. We save thousands of tons of CO₂e emissions this way every year.”

Pioneer in product carbon footprints

Reducing emissions from purchased goods and services is also crucial to the overall balance at Körber. However, this is also an extraordinarily complex undertaking since Körber works with more than 12,000 suppliers in 68 countries. To reduce Scope 3.1 emissions effectively, the company first identifies the largest sources of emissions. It then reduces emissions with targeted measures to optimize the supply chain, such as a changeover to more sustainable materials and a collaboration with suppliers to identify their actual emissions and reduce them in the future.

“We are proud of our progress in reducing emissions in Scope 3.1. Even though we are only just starting, we have made great progress in this respect and are already able to use initial primary data for our calculations. Our suppliers also attest that we take a pioneering role in this field, often being the first to request such data.”

Carolin Schwägler, Senior Manager Supply Chain Sustainability, Körber AG

The carbon emission balance is now also taken into consideration as an equally important criterion alongside price, quality, and delivery times. Among other things, this has resulted in a regionalization of supply chains. For instance, the suppliers for Körber’s different locations are usually based in the same country or on the same continent.

To create the data basis for all this, as a pioneer in the sector, Körber has also begun to record and use emission-related primary data on product carbon footprint (PCFs) from its top 100 suppliers. As this is not yet a regulatory requirement, Körber is setting new standards in the industry in this respect, inspiring other companies to take similar steps. “Although this was the first time that many suppliers were dealing with this matter, in 2024, we achieved a significant increase in the primary data gathered in comparison to the previous year,” reports Schwägler. Even if the proportion of primary data in Scope 3.1 is still low at three percent, this progress shows potential for future improvements. Körber plans to increase the proportion of primary data further over the next few years. “By 2030, we wish to achieve 50 percent primary data in Scope 3.1 and work much more closely together with suppliers to improve the reduction in emissions from our products on a continuous basis,” affirms Schwägler.

Stronger through collaboration

Reducing CO₂e emissions together along the supply chain is also what the Alliance to Zero aims to do. This association of companies in the pharma and biotech supply chain seeks to make it easier for the industry to achieve net-zero emissions. As a founding member, Körber plays a central role in promoting cross-sector innovations to reduce environmental impact. One example is a new, collaborative project to reduce emissions by eliminating plastic packaging for prefilled syringes. Together with SCHOTT and Schreiner MediPharm, Körber helped to develop a previously tested, integral solution which replaces plastic blister packs completely, thus reducing the use of materials and the CO₂e emissions footprint.

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