For A Better World

Sustainability

The young man is riding the bike through the path with a lot of grass and flowers  in the middle of the field

Building for Generations

We all face the huge responsibility of leaving our future generations with a liveable planet. Working sustainably has been a key attribute of the Knauf family business from the very beginning. In addition to producing high-quality construction materials, we’re committed to integrating sustainable practices into our culture, operations, and solutions. With the goal of becoming an industry leader in sustainable construction, Knauf aims to reach net-zero by 2045 and cut directly controlled CO₂ emissions in half by 2032 globally. Over the next two decades, we will decarbonise our operations in a cost-efficient way, reduce water withdrawals by a fifth, and eliminate waste to disposal from our plants, quarries, and mines.

Mother with small daughter playing in rain on patio of wooden ca

Our Products

Our natural gypsums are naturally formed and inherently sustainable. Our products can contribute to low-emissions buildings, and are SGBC (Singapore Green Building Product) certified. For instance, our plasterboards are manufactured using gypsum core material and 100% recycled paper liners, resulting in products that are highly durable, recyclable, and resistant to natural deterioration. The system design that our products contribute to also reduces the need for heating and cooling to deliver environmental, economic, and social benefits.

For A Better World

Global Goals of Knauf

We support the United Nations (UN) and aspire to contribute to 13 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN describes the SDGs as the “world’s best plan to build a better world for people and our planet by 2030”. We want to help!  

At Knauf, our brand promise is "Build on us" expressing the overarching commitment that we make to our customers and partners. To achieve this, we are working across four ambitions. In achieving these ambitions, Knauf will help contribute to the SDGs.

We are a great employer for great people

1.  We are a great employer for great people

Under this ambition we aspire to have:

  • Zero harm to our people, health and safety first, and no compromise on compliance.
  • A highly engaged workforce, with a high engagement score and recognition as a great employer.
  • Diversity of the local workforce, reflected in our hiring and people development. Global functions reflect our international presence.
  • Sustainable succession: Most of our leaders and key specialists on all levels developed from within.

Knauf also contributes to the health and wellbeing of society by supplying a range of products with various properties such as fire, water, sound, impact and mould resistance.

We enable our customers to capture the best value

2.  We enable our customers to capture the best value

Under this ambition we aspire to be the:

  • Easiest to do business with represented with a high Net Promoter Score in every business area.
  • Industry digitization leader which will assist in fostering partnerships and promoting transparency and collaboration across the supply chain.
  • Best innovation partner with 15% revenue from products introduced in the last 5 years.

Additionally, at Knauf, we work with customers to help contribute to more sustainable buildings.

We act with future generations in mind

3.  We act with future generations in mind

Under this ambition we aspire to:

  • Reduce CO2 emissions from our production sites globally by 50% in 2032 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. By achieving this we will assist in creating more sustainable communities and do our part to address climate change. This will also benefit life on land and in water. On top of efficiency improvements, a key lever to achieving this will be the adoption of clean energy in our processes.
  • Have circular products and packaging without chemicals of concern. By decreasing waste to disposal, increasing recycled material in our products, and prioritising on circular packaging, we will be more responsible in our production processes and consumption of materials. By focusing on circularity, we will also contribute to more sustainable communities.
  • Secure a long-term supply of raw materials. By ensuring materials are consumed responsibly and that we have adequate supplies of materials for future generations, we aim to ensure our business can contribute to sustainable communities into the future.
  • Disaster risk reduction. Our passive fire protection systems are engineered to compartmentalize fires, preventing their spread and protecting both people and property. Similarly, our seismic-compliant solutions ensure that interior non-structural elements remain intact during an earthquake, keeping critical escape routes clear and minimizing damage. By focusing on these core safety standards, Knauf provides durable, long-lasting, and recyclable materials that support the creation of safe, sustainable, and high-performance buildings, helping to build a better future for communities worldwide.

Knauf also aims to reduce water withdrawals by 20% by 2032, further contributing to clean water availability.

We achieve superior performance

4.  We achieve superior performance

Under this ambition we aspire to:

  • Deliver top financial performance to maintain economic growth.