Corporate citizenship
Our community involvement and corporate citizenship is based on a combination of global humanitarian partnerships, local educational cooperation, and collaboration within the international glass manufacturing industry.
Sustainability governance
Glaston’s Board of Directors is the highest decision-making body for sustainability. The Board decides on the sustainability strategy as part of the Group’s business strategy and decides on strategic sustainability targets. In addition, the Board approves all sustainability-related policies and assesses the results of the sustainability work at least once a year.
The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing and evaluating sustainability reporting, the effectiveness of internal control, and risk management of the reporting process. The committee also reviews all policies related to sustainability before they are approved by the Board of Directors. The Board’s People and Remuneration Committee prepares the targets for Glaston’s long-term and short-term incentive plans, including the evaluation of sustainability-related KPIs, for Board approval.
Glaston’s CEO has overall responsibility for the implementation of Glaston’s sustainability program as part of the strategy. The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is responsible for taking sustainability-related impacts, risks and opportunities into consideration in Glaston’s business strategy.
Glaston’s EVP Solutions & Operations is responsible for sustainability topics in the Executive Leadership Team and in charge of the Group’s sustainability function. The EVP Solutions & Operations has overall responsibility for Glaston’s sustainability efforts, which are carried out in the relevant functions and Group companies. The sustainability function is also in charge of the Group-wide implementation of environmental and climate issues in cooperation with the businesses and functions.
Glaston’s businesses and Group companies carry out practical sustainability efforts and are responsible for the implementation of measures, reporting on progress and providing information for sustainability reporting.
Stakeholder engagement
Glaston’s goal is to be a reliable and responsible partner for its stakeholders. To understand evolving needs and expectations, we engage in regular dialogue with our key stakeholders, including our employees, customers, suppliers and subcontractors, shareholders, investors, the media, public authorities and local communities as well as research institutes and higher education institutions. We also offer summer, graduate thesis and trainee job positions to talent of the future. In Germany, we have an own apprenticeship program.
We are also actively involved in developing our industry, and we participate in several glass industry organizations.
The Glass Performance Days (GPD) conference, organized by Glaston since 1992, brings together all stakeholders in the glass processing chain. The conference provides a platform for industry stakeholders to exchange the latest knowledge and advance the development of new applications and technologies. In conjunction with the Glass Performance Days conference, and to boost the industry’s development and increase innovation, we organize the Step Change start-up event for the glass industry.
Community involvement and donations
Glaston seeks to be actively present and involved in the communities in which we operate. Our Sponsorships rules guide our activities both globally and locally.
We are an active member of Ahlström Collective Impact, an initiative that invests in a better future for children through a unique co-operation model with UNICEF Finland. Ahlström Collective Impact (ACI) is a joint responsibility initiative by Ahlström Network companies, and focuses on achieving change in the global society and improving the lives of children worldwide by making strategic investments. Through ACI, we have contributed to UNICEF’s Global Education Program, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education).
Our local units make smaller donations to local communities. Beneficiaries of these donations has included an orphanage and an initiative with the main goal of getting school children and young people excited about science and technology.
As environmental awareness increases, demand for more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable glass solutions is continually growing. Energy-efficient double- or triple-glazed insulating glass units and in these used coated, low-emissivity glass processed with Glaston’s technology meet the energy-saving needs of buildings. Glaston’s tempering and laminating technologies make glass safe and indirectly improve the safety of buildings.
Energy-efficient communities
Energy is the biggest cost item in the lifetime of buildings. Heat generation and loss through windows accounts for 25–30% of the energy used for heating and cooling buildings. New energy standards and stricter legislation are driving demand for more energy-efficient and environmentally conscious solutions in both new and renovation construction.
The energy-saving potential is enormous. For example, in the EU area up to 86% of buildings’ glass surfaces consist of outdated and less energy-efficient single or double glazing.
The glass processing industry has actively developed types of glass that can be used to optimize the need for heating and cooling in buildings and thereby reduce energy consumption.
Buildings supporting wellbeing
We spend over 80% of our lives in buildings. Natural daylight and proper sound insulation significantly contribute to our well-being.
Well-designed sound environments in schools and offices enable better communication and help improve concentration whereas in hospitals, lower noise levels and a visual connection with the natural world outside help patients recover faster. In private homes, protection from noise creates a sense of security and privacy.
Large laminated insulating glass units enable effective sound insulation and more natural daylight.