The SBO Group operates on the basis of a long-term strategy and a sustainable way of doing business. Our goal is to create long-term added value as part of our sustainable growth strategy and to work with our stakeholders, employees, suppliers and customers in a spirit of trust. Environmental, social and (corporate) governance (ESG) is an integral part of our company s Strategy 2030.
In addition to this direct anchoring of ESGT themes, the corporate strategy envisages the establishment of a new business unit that is in line with environmental goals. The management is sounding out the market for new business areas.
We are looking for highly profitable niches with a well-founded focus on technology, primarily in the field of new energy, which will secure SBO s role as a leading provider of high-tech solutions and products beyond 2030 outside of its core business.
Our ESG strategy itself is based on an industry-wide high level of environmental efficiency and provides for further improvement in all areas.
Reporting standards have been developed for central control and key performance indicators (KPIs) have been defined and provided with target values. These are intended to highlight potential inefficiencies and thus enable the targeted management of the fields considered strategic.
In the area of Environment ( E ), this includes, in particular, the maintenance of strong eco-efficiency. This is demonstrated by a CO2 emission indicator, which is low compared to the rest of the industry, as well as by optimized water and waste management as well as the promotion of a circular economy, as there are great ecological advantages, for example, through the return of steel scrap to the production of steel bars.
In addition, targeted measures will increase the share of renewable energy sources in the company s own electricity consumption, thus further improving the CO2 efficiency of the resources used. In the Social ( S ) area, the focus is on employee safety and development.
Governance ( G ) is divided into the strategic focus areas of
responsibility, compliance and risk management, and information security.
Traditionally, we pursue transparent reporting. In recent years, the focus has been on the presentation of Scope 1 and Scope 2 information from the business activities of a steel manufacturer or equipment supplier, backed by values and measured variables.
A new addition to the reporting is the breakdown of financial
indicators according to environmentally relevant aspects on the basis of EU environmental targets. In addition, a project is underway to prepare the Group for professional Scope 3 reporting. The publication of so-called Science-Based Targets (SBTs) is also in preparation. It determines how large the company s CO2 reduction would have to be in order to effectively limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. In addition, we are striving to further expand ESG communication through the disclosure of competitive ratings.
SBO s current business activities include the production of high alloy, non-magnetizable stainless steels and the high-precision production of stainless steels into special components for the oil, gas and other industries, using innovative and additive technologies.
The range also includes the development and sale of equipment which, in addition to geothermal applications, is primarily used for the efficient extraction of crude oil and natural gas. According to relevant forecasts, global demand for these raw materials will increase beyond 2030, with a focus on the efficient extraction of these resources in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
Natural gas in particular plays a special role from an ecological point of view: gas as an energy source has an energy density comparable to that of liquid fuels and at the same time scores with significantly higher ecological efficiency. For example, the switch from coal to gas since 2010 has led to 750 million tons of lower global CO2 emissions, mainly in the power sector in the United States and Europe, as well as in buildings and industry in China.
In terms of eco-efficiency, natural gas thus makes a significant contribution to achieving climate targets. SBO currently generates a significant part of its revenues from the sale or rental of products used for the extraction of natural gas.
Fast and efficient communication channels within our Group ensure compliance with ESG requirements. Processes are continuously monitored and improved by both the SBO Board of Directors and Group Compliance.
Violations of our Code of Conduct will be prosecuted. In addition, we have zero tolerance for any form of corruption or anti-competitive behavior. We create programs for our employees to support them on an ongoing basis, to keep them at the highest possible level of training and to retain them in the long term.