Excellence in sustainability

Linde Material Handling has received the EcoVadis platinum medal for the third year in a row

Linde Material Handling (MH) has once again demonstrated its impressive performance in sustainability in the EcoVadis assessment. The overall score increased by nine points compared to last year, reaching 92 out of 100. For this result, Linde MH received a platinum medal for the third consecutive year, placing the company among the top global companies assessed by EcoVadis. Notable improvements were achieved in all four assessment categories: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement.

“Over the past year, we took another significant step forward in our sustainability efforts,” said Ulrike Just, member of Linde MH's Executive Board, Sales & Service EMEA, in announcing the EcoVadis results. “We have once again achieved Platinum status and significantly improved our overall score. This reflects our ongoing and strategically embedded commitment to environmental and social responsibility. It also shows our customers that we are committed to supporting them as a responsible partner on their own path to greater sustainability.” Certifications from the international assessment agency EcoVadis are valid for one year, and Linde MH's new certification runs until February 2027.

Significant progress in all categories

Particularly notable improvement was achieved in the Environment category, with a score of 98 out of 100 points. The positive points listed in EcoVadis„ assessment form span several pages. ”An important point is that Linde MH's Platinum rating covers all of our production plants and sales and service locations in the EMEA region,“ Ulrike Just emphasizes. "This gives us a

very extensive scope.” EcoVadis recognized Linde MH's environmental policy as exemplary, highlighting its clearly defined scope, clearly defined responsibilities, structured evaluation mechanisms and measurable targets. For the first time, data on CO₂ emissions during the use phase of products sold were provided at the brand level. This was recognized and positively assessed in the EcoVadis rating.

In the Ethics category, the EcoVadis committee recognized the company's comprehensive anti-corruption guidelines, regular risk assessments, protection of sensitive data (ISO 27001 certification) and employee training in areas such as cybersecurity. The Labor & Human Rights category had a significant impact on the overall EcoVadis score. As such, the improvements Linde MH, part of the KION Group, was able to achieve were particularly significant, including support for the Diversity Charter to promote diversity and equal opportunities. Additional points were awarded in the Sustainable Procurement category for reporting CO₂-emissions in the upstream value chain. This information was provided to EcoVadis for the first time at the brand level.

Sustainability as an important pillar for future-proof intralogistics

An important basis for the EcoVadis assessment is the sustainability report of Linde MH, which is updated annually and published online on the company's website. By participating in the EcoVadis assessment, Linde MH submits to an evaluation by one of the world's leading providers of corporate sustainability assessments. The methodology used by the service provider is based on international sustainability standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the United Nations Global Compact and DIN EN ISO 26000. The latter is a voluntary, non-certifiable guideline on the social responsibility of organizations.

Companies that register with EcoVadis go through a standardized assessment process. This includes both self-reporting via a questionnaire and the submission of policies, certificates and supporting documents. EcoVadis experts then review the information and evaluate performance using a point system and medal category.