SUSTAINABILITY
ZF LIFETEC: We save lives
Keeping people safe is more than just a business activity for ZF LIFETEC. It is our mission to ensure that the world is a safer place. We realize this mission not only by constantly pushing the limits of occupant safety but also by a conscious use of resources, advocating diversity and being a leader in preserving the health and safety of all actors in our value chain.
With a heritage stretching back more than half a century, ZF LIFETEC has been pioneering passive safety technology and is shaping the sector as a global leader in passive safety solutions.
“At ZF LIFETEC, ESG is at the heart of everything. Our mission to save lives goes beyond business — it is deeply rooted in our commitment to sustainability, diversity, and safety. By leveraging our industry-leading position and technology-driven approach, we strive to create a safer world. We integrate environmental, social, and governance principles into every aspect of our operations, setting ambitious targets and implementing them with tangible measures.”
Rudolf Stark, Executive Vice President of ZF LIFETEC
Climate neutrality by 2040
ZF LIFETEC aims to be climate neutral across all scopes (1 to 3) by 2040.
100% share of green electricity
ZF LIFETEC believes to be on track to achieve its target of 100% green electricity by the end of 2025.
Diversity and equality as a source of innovation and success
ZF LIFETEC aims to increase the gender diversity of graded managers to 20% by 2030
Sustainable supply chain
ZF LIFETEC has established the Sustainability Score, which thoroughly evaluates its suppliers on various sustainability criteria, including net climate neutrality, human rights, and other key factors. The company is thus working to establish a sustainable supply chain.
Waste reduction
ZF LIFETEC aims to reduce waste for disposal (in tons per Mio € revenue) by 1% on an annual basis.
Disclaimer:
ZF LIFETEC has successfully finalized its operational carve-out process from the ZF Group beginning of Oct. 2024. For the time being ZF LIFETEC in terms of ESG frameworks and standards has in parts remained embedded within the outline of ZF Group. As a standalone entity, ZF LIFETEC will continue utilizing its proven sustainability operating and governance model, while adjusting certain aspects and amending measures to even better meet its needs and further evolve its standalone ESG organization.
Sustainability at ZF LIFETEC: All-embracing and tangible
ZF LIFETEC has developed a clear sustainability strategy. Through this strategy, ZF LIFETEC has embedded sustainability in every process, from product design to supply chain management, and the key ESG targets are translated into meaningful actions every day.
To achieve further progress towards its ESG targets, ZF LIFETEC follows a clear roadmap to work on its prioritized topics in the fields of environment, social, and governance.
Environment
- Tackling Climate Change
- Optimizing Energy Management
- Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Reducing Water Consumption
Environmental: Protecting the environment through conscious production
As a first priority area of its sustainability strategy, ZF LIFETEC has drawn up a clear roadmap to reduce the environmental impact of its own production and the value chain.
ZF LIFETEC has set ambitious targets to lead the industry in decarbonization. By 2040, ZF LIFETEC aims to achieve climate neutrality, across all scopes (1-3) in a production-heavy environment (measured in CO2 equivalents (CO2e).
Additionally, the company is continually working on optimizing its upstream value chain to reduce environmental impact, e.g., by introducing sustainable materials and developing technologies to minimize the consumption of resources.
A third pillar of the roadmap is formed by various initiatives originated to enable the company to pursue a path towards a circular economy.
Social: Fostering diversity, safety and product quality excellence
ZF LIFETEC is dedicated to fostering diversity and equality as key drivers of innovation and success.
The company has maintained a diverse workforce and believes to be on track to increase gender diversity in management to 20% by 2030, supported by a comprehensive diversity roadmap. In terms of health and safety, ZF LIFETEC sets industry benchmarks and demands the same high standards from its business partners - in its Business Partner Code of Conduct.
ZF LIFETEC’s emphasis on employee training and development ensures a skilled workforce. Committed to manufacturing top-quality products that are safe to use, we use (semi-) automated processes to minimize human error, reduce energy and resource consumption, and thus improve the overall sustainability of our products.
Governance: Responsible sourcing and ensuring responsible corporate behavior
ZF LIFETEC upholds robust governance practices, ensuring transparency and accountability across all operations.
The company enforces stringent sustainability requirements for its suppliers, including roadmaps for climate neutrality by 2040 and intermediate sustainability targets for 2030. Suppliers are constantly evaluated and ZF LIFETEC may conduct audits to ensure compliance.
Human rights are monitored through Business Partner Principles (BPP) and Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) processes. To further strengthen these efforts, ZF LIFETEC has appointed a dedicated Human Rights Officer.
United Nations Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations has defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are international targets that aim to promote and facilitate sustainable development across the globe - covering economic, social and ecological/environmental themes.
ZF Group has identified eight of these targets to which it is able to make a relevant contribution.
Guided by ZF Group’s sustainability strategy, ZF LIFETEC is committed to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
As part of the ZF Group, we are a signatory of the UN Global Compact, and our policies and work conform to international frameworks such as the ILO core conventions.
With our comprehensive passive safety portfolio and R&D focus on enhancing occupant safety through adaptive components and smart technologies, we are dedicated to protecting people and saving lives. Our mission strongly aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly indicator 3.6, which aims to reduce deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 50% from 2023 to 2030. Additionally, we support making transportation systems safer for everyone, contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
ZF LIFETEC is finalizing its carve-out process from the ZF Group and against this backdrop is implementing the bedrock of its standalone ESG organization. We are currently in the process of making arrangements for joining the UNGC as a standalone entity and signatory, making it an integral part of our ESG agenda.
Sustainable development goals
