Annual Report 2010/11 - Sonova

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erably increase transparency in the analysis of consumption
for all buildings. Use of renewable energies will be evaluated
on an ongoing basis.
Infrastructure and building technology
A number of different measures to boost infrastructure
efficiency are planned as part of the ongoing changes being
made to existing buildings at the company headquarters.
The energy consumed by the existing lighting system can be
reduced by 15%, for example, by modernizing the system.
Automatic air hand dryers which achieve excellent results
in comparative ecological impact assessments will also
be introduced to the entire Sonova site.
Production began at the newly created production and
technology center in Stäfa in February 2010. This new
building raises the bar when it comes to sustainability. The
construction of the building shell, the intelligent building
technology and targeted heat recovery systems guarantee
minimal energy consumption. A sophisticated building
automation system makes it possible to flexibly control and
efficiently manage the production building. Heating has
been switched from oil to natural gas, resulting in significantly
lower CO 2 emissions.
Optimized production
In view of ongoing advances in the development of manufacturing
processes, the consumption of raw materials,
auxiliary materials, and working materials is constantly
being optimized in hearing system production. Efforts
over the course of many years to reduce the use of solvents
and volatile organic substances (VOCs) have resulted in
production processes with minimal quantities of harmful
substances. Today, the underlying purification steps are
based on semi-aqueous and aqueous processes that recycle
a total of 95%. Together with putting a total stop to use of
lead solder, this led to the cantonal environmental authorities
granting an exemption from pre-treatment of rinsing water
in 2009.
The consumption of soldering paste was optimized last year.
A total of 38 people took part in internal chemical and
environmental training for employees with special qualifications.
Ecological suppliers
Environmentally friendly business practices are incorporated
throughout the entire supply chain at Sonova. Environmental
and sustainability criteria play a vital role in supplier
selection. Sonova has binding supplier guidelines for all of
its contract partners.
Sustainable procurement
Environmental friendliness, in particular energy efficiency,
will be taken into account as an additional criterion when
purchasing electronic equipment and investing in resources.
Since January 2011, Sonova has exclusively used FSC-certified
paper (Forest Stewardship Council) internally.
Marketing material
The switchover from local production of printed marketing
materials for all Phonak Group companies to decentralized
production in the respective countries that was implemented
in 2009 resulted in a decline of around 15% in print volumes
at headquarters in financial year 2010/11 and thus also in
transport volumes.
Environmentally friendly product packaging
A packaging concept for global delivery of hearing systems
that has been developed in line with environmental criteria
is currently being tested internally.
Mobility program
Sonova also encourages its employees to act conscientiously.
The percentage of employees who commute to the Stäfa
headquarters by public transportation is 42%. The mobility
program in Stäfa which was launched in financial year
2008/2009 will also continue in the future with incentives
to use public transport – accompanied by targeted awareness
campaigns.
BUSINESS TRIPS
The number of business trips will be reduced as much as
possible through promotion of modern communication
solutions. To this end, the business air travel of all Sonova
companies situated in Switzerland will be monitored. An initial
comparative assessment of the indirect greenhouse gas
emissions associated with this type of travel is scheduled
for publication next year.