As a building services provider operating nationwide, we use vehicles, energy, cleaning chemicals, materials, equipment and water on a daily basis. Further environmental impacts arise in the upstream value chain and during the provision of services in our clients’ buildings and facilities.
Our materiality analysis shows that climate change, environmental pollution, water management, resource use and the circular economy are particularly relevant to Piepenbrock. We focus our environmental management primarily on these issues.
Our climate strategy is based on an annual greenhouse gas inventory prepared in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. It covers direct emissions from our business operations, emissions from purchased energy, and significant indirect emissions along the value chain.
The results help us identify our largest sources of emissions and the areas where we can make an impact. Based on this, we identify areas for action within our own operations, procurement, and services. We transparently present accounting boundaries, methods, goals, and progress in our sustainability report. In doing so, we also highlight areas where data or comparability need to be further developed.
In our day-to-day business operations, direct greenhouse gas emissions arise primarily from our vehicle fleet and the heating systems in our buildings. When developing our sites further, we therefore focus on the energy efficiency of building systems, the use of renewable energy, and the use of our own photovoltaic systems.
When it comes to mobility, we evaluate alternative powertrains and the necessary charging infrastructure, taking into account the specific operating conditions. This is because range, driving profiles, availability, and cost-effectiveness vary depending on the job and location. Route planning, vehicle selection, and efficient vehicle deployment are also part of our approach.
In addition, a large portion of the reported emissions originates in the upstream value chain. Procurement, suppliers, and outsourced services are therefore key components of the broader climate strategy.
Procurement affects both the quality of our services and their environmental impact. This is particularly true for cleaning chemicals, hygiene products, trash bags, cleaning cloths, equipment, and personal protective equipment, which are used regularly and in large quantities.
When making our selection, we consider not only quality, workplace safety, and cost-effectiveness, but also environmental criteria. Recognized environmental labels, such as the EU Ecolabel or the Blue Angel, serve as a guide in this regard. In addition, we take into account information on recycled materials, durability, reusability, and packaging, for example.
A successful example is the Ecoplan series from our subsidiary Planol, which is certified under the EU Ecolabel. The transition to environmentally certified cleaning chemicals is a key component of our sustainable procurement strategy. New contracts and requests for proposals, in particular, are increasingly taking these requirements into account in a systematic manner, which is gradually increasing the share of certified products in our procurement volume. By the end of 2026, the share of environmentally friendly cleaning products is expected to account for at least 30 percent of the cleaning chemicals used; an increase to 50 percent is planned by 2030.
Comparable product data or certifications are not yet available for all product categories. For this reason, we are gradually expanding our data base and refining the criteria for environmentally conscious procurement. We publish current figures and trends in our sustainability report.
Whether a service can be provided in a more resource-efficient manner is not determined by a single product alone. What matters most is the interplay between the scope of services, the materials used, the processes, the equipment, the workflows, and their proper application. That is why we always consider our services within the specific context of each client and project.
We tailor cleaning chemicals, dosing, processes, and equipment to the surfaces, degree of soiling, hygiene requirements, and agreed-upon performance standards. Dosing systems and defined machine settings support the controlled use of water and cleaning agents. In appropriate applications, we use environmentally certified products as well as chemical-reduced or mechanical processes. At the Piepenbrock Technology Center, we test products and processes and train employees in their proper use.
We support our customers in ensuring the reliable and needs-based operation of their buildings and facilities. Maintenance, technical inspections, and the optimization of operating times and settings can help prevent unnecessary energy consumption. The potential for savings depends on the existing technology, the building’s use, and the agreed-upon scope of services, and is therefore assessed on a property-by-property basis.
We tailor our maintenance plans to the location, vegetation, and actual needs. We avoid using chemical pesticides whenever technically and legally possible. During winter maintenance, traffic safety takes priority. Weather forecasts, site requirements, and deployment plans form the basis for needs-based operations. In some cases, we also use de-icing agents that dull the surface instead of rock salt.
Since 1995, Piepenbrock has owned a forested area in the Stechlin-Ruppiner Land Nature Park and the Ruppiner Forest and Lake Area Landscape Conservation Area. The forest now covers approximately 3,270 hectares. Of this, approximately 870 hectares are part of the “Rheinsberger Rhin and Hellberge” nature conservation and Fauna-Flora-Habitat area.
The stand, which is still heavily dominated by pine trees, is being supplemented with deciduous tree species suited to the site and gradually developed into a more resilient mixed forest. Reforestation projects carried out under expert guidance, the preservation of diverse habitats, rare tree species, and other measures to promote biodiversity are all part of the long-term management plan.
Since 2010, as part of the “Plant Trees – Protect the Climate” initiative, we have been planting additional trees in the forest together with our customers. The plantings are linked to new revenue generated from new orders and contract renewals. Each customer receives a certificate for the trees planted in their name. The trees are integrated into the forest’s natural development and also symbolize long-term customer relationships.
You can find the latest environmental metrics, climate targets, calculation methods, and developments in the 2025 Sustainability Report (PDF). We regularly publish case studies and news from customer projects, the Technology Center, and Piepenbrock Forest on the Piepenbrock Blog.
30 years of sustainability management and "Piepenbrock Goes Green", 10 years of "Growth" campaign and sponsorship with Plan International Deutschland – our year 2020 is dominated by sustainability. We will be celebrating!
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Sustainability plays an equally important role at Piepenbrock's affiliated companies LoeschPack and Hastamat. There, we summarise our ecological commitment under the motto "carbon-neutral packaging".
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