Konecranes wins 2024 German Sustainability Award for Lifting and Handling Technology

23 November 2023

Konecranes has won the 2024 German Sustainability Award in the Lifting and Handling Technology category. The award is for climate action achievements in Germany and globally, with Konecranes one of only 20 corporate winners chosen from a list of some 6,000 companies competing across multiple categories.

The award is based on the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. It also supports the goals of the German government's sustainability strategy, which has prioritised action for the climate, nature, resources, supply chain and society.

“Sustainability including climate action is at the core of our strategy and firmly anchored in Konecranes’ DNA,” said Anniina Virta-Toikka, head of sustainability at Konecranes. “We are humbled to win this award, which marks further recognition of the effort we have invested in recent years to make a clear and lasting positive impact on the climate and environment. We will use this recognition as motivation to continue on this successful path.”

Konecranes said it is committed to having carbon-neutral own operations by 2030, and in the value chain aims to reduce absolute emissions by 50% by 2030, including the purchase of steel and the use of products sold. These goals are part of Konecranes’ broader effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C, with each of its three business segments making contributions.

In Industrial Equipment, with German locations in Wetter and Uslar, Konecranes said the focus is on increasing efficiency, extending the life cycle and further developing energy efficiency and material selection of industrial cranes and hoists, among other areas.

By 2026, Port Solutions will electrify its full product offering. As an example, its mobile harbour cranes developed and manufactured in Düsseldorf can operate via the port power grid or by battery, and also have regenerative braking, which sends power back to a crane's power grid during every downward or decelerated motion.

Through maintenance, servicing, upgrades and re-manufacturing (repairing cranes and components to almost-new condition), Konecranes’ Services contributes to the longer and more efficient use of industrial cranes and hoists. The company said that long-term use and subsequent recycling are “an essential part of circular processes that reduce waste and emissions”. Its Services operates offices in all regions of Germany.

Konecranes employs around 3,500 people in Germany at its production sites.

The German Sustainability Award is awarded by the German Sustainability Award Foundation in cooperation with the Federal Government, the German Council for Sustainable Development, municipal umbrella associations, business associations, civil society organizations and research institutions. It recognizes ground-breaking steps towards a sustainable future in five areas: Companies, New Economy, Architecture/Construction, Corporate Cooperations and Sports.

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