Sustainability at Svenska Aerogel
Sustainability is one of our core values and our main driving force during our history. Our vision is to be the most valued business partner providing pioneering materials solutions for a sustainable world, meaning we want to help industries develop sustainable products with innovative properties.
In order to live by our vision and our core value, high demands are placed on the entire organization to constantly develop and improve the three dimensions within sustainability: social solidarity, environmental responsibility, and economic efficiency.
Svenska Aerogel has become the first Swedish listed company to be verified according to ISO 26000, an international standard focusing on corporate social responsibility (CSR). The verification has been carried out by an accredited third party, VERIFY Agency of Sweden, which has reviewed Svenska Aerogel’s sustainability work.
The work that led to the ISO 26000 verification of our sustainability processes complements our already certified and standardized way of working. This external recognition is important for us because it shows that our long-term, systematic work with sustainability is bearing fruit and that our employees, customers, investors, and authorities can have trust in our sustainability focus.”
Sustainable Development Goals
By prioritizing and focusing on selected goals from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, we will contribute to the Agenda 2030 transition. Based on our strategy and business plan, we have chosen three of the SDGs, which we have divided into different sub-goals with concrete activities. The selection process was based on where we have the most influence and where we have the greatest opportunity to contribute to a positive change. The goals are integrated into our business and sustainability strategy and are continuously followed up in connection with the company’s business and sustainability goals.
Quartzene is produced in a patented waterborne process utilising commonly available silica source, water, and green energy. By adding Quartzene, insulation against heat, cold, sound and fire can be improved in end products. The improved insulation saves energy in several stages, reduces weight and material consumption, and increases safety – often Quartzene contributes to a combination of all these things.
Our products contribute to a more sustainable world
Quartzene is produced in a patented waterborne process utilising commonly available silica source, water, and green energy. By adding Quartzene, insulation against heat, cold, sound and fire can be improved in end products. The improved insulation effect saves energy in several stages, reduces weight and material consumption, and increases safety – often Quartzene contributes to a combination of all these things.
Basically, it’s about us developing sustainable solutions in products with the smallest possible impact on the environment. Quartzene is a contributing factor for global manufacturing industries that strive to reach the SDGs by 2030.
Our goals
During 2022, extensive work was carried out throughout the organization, with the aim to develop an activity plan (and evaluation plan) which harmonizes with our vision, core values and business strategy. We mapped how our value chain affects the global goals, both positively and negatively. Based on the mapping, a materiality analysis was carried out where three main objectives were identified. These goals are prioritized and integrated into our business strategy, which permeates the entire organization.
SDG 9
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
SDG 12
SDG 13
Goal 9
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
In order to meet future climate challenges, we as an organization and a producer want to be involved and contribute to inclusive and sustainable industries. For us, innovation is one of the most important elements and the key to finding sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
Research and innovation at Svenska Aerogel
At Svenska Aerogel, we run different research and development projects together with Universitys and partners. We strive to constantly develop our products and processes to create new material solutions with a special focus on reduce the water- and energy consumpton in the production. We continuously build our competence and seek ideas from external research, patent protection and technical literature.
To encourage the staff’s creativity and willingness to try new things, we have introduced a 5% innovation culture. This means that each person in the R&D team gets to choose an area in which they develop a product and find new applications and properties that benefit our customers.
We believe that team spirit and diversity contribute to a more innovative and creative culture that enables our vision.
Product innovation
In our business strategy, we focus on four main customer segments: Building & Construction, Process Industry, Transport and Advanced. In these segments, our R&D team develops and tailors our products based on sustainable solutions, applications, and products. In order to be in the forefront and to fulfil the market’s needs, we have well established creative and innovative processes within our company. One of these processes resulted in the introduction of an innovative technology called SeaQare, which can be used in antifouling paints for leisure boats to reduce copper release into our seas. Our customers are also developing patented products, enhanced with Quartzene with a high competetive edge.
Production process
To improve the efficiency of our production processes and reduce their environmental impact, we continuously run internal and external development projects. The aim is to identify solutions that lower energy and resource consumption in production. We see the greatest potential in reducing water consumption and energy use in our production processes.
Patents
As part of the development of our products and processes, patent applications are filed to strengthen our business. We currently hold five granted patents, with two additional patent applications pending.
Our goals
Within Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Any innovation, development and research should have a starting point with sustainability in mind and the three aspects of it.
Goal 12
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Reducing environmental impact requires changes in how goods are produced and resources are used. Improving production efficiency and reducing energy, water and material consumption are important measures to limit negative impacts on the climate.
Our work focuses on improving production processes and resource use efficiency. This includes measures to reduce energy consumption, emissions and waste, as well as the use of water and raw materials in production.
Quartzene and the environment
We manufacture Quartzene, an aerogel-like material used as an additive in various applications. It can modify material properties such as density, insulation performance and material consumption, depending on the product design and intended use.
In some applications, Quartzene can contribute to reduced weight, changes in material use or improved thermal performance. The specific effects vary depending on how the material is integrated into the end product.
Energy and water consumption
The production of Quartzene requires the use of water and energy, which have been identified as the main environmental aspects of our production process.
Water is used as part of the process and is monitored to quantify consumption and provide a basis for estimating potential reductions. This information supports the evaluation of process changes and project initiatives that may enable water recirculation.
Energy is also used in production and is monitored to quantify consumption and identify opportunities to improve efficiency where technically and economically feasible.
Our goals
Within Sustainable production and consumption
- Reduce drinking water spillage
- Reduce energy consumption
Goal 13
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Climate change is a growing problem, and greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase and can have serious consequences for the environment, our health, and our safety. We have set ambitious goals until 2030. The goals are primarily about reducing emissions in our own production as well as from indirect emissions from purchased energy, goods, and services. To achieve our goals, we will actively work for climate-smart production and set clearer requirements for subcontractors, distributors, customers, and partners. We will also carry out life cycle analyses on our products. Lastly, we will increase the efficiency of our production and recycle more materials, as mentioned in goal 12.
Located in Sweden, we are privileged to have access to renewable energy and to be working innovatively to reduce our climate impact, both in the short and long term. We strive to be a role model in the work of finding innovative solutions both for our own production but also in the customers’ various applications.
Our goals
Within Climate Action
- Reduce CO2 impact