Sustainability and CSR

As a trading and production company with extensive international business activity, Betech is concerned with carrying out initiatives that develop and contribute to sustainable production and corporate behaviour throughout our network.

In our own production and in trade with sub-suppliers, the REACH, RoHS, and WEEE directives are complied with in the effort to protect both the environment and people from harmful chemicals, materials, and components.

Through our Code of Conduct , we commit ourselves and our suppliers to comply with the ten principles of the UN's Global Compact regarding human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.

Focus areas and initiatives

Betech is committed to the Addtech group's integrated sustainability model and focuses on development within three general areas:

Sustainable business

Maximize share of sales and services that contribute to sustainable transition and develoment.

Sustainable organisation

Reduced C0₂ intensity through efficient transport of goods, less use of traditional business travel, and minimized energy consumption.

Sustainable supply chain

Evaluate suppliers' commitment to sustainable development including their ratification of and compliance with the Addtech group's Code of Conduct.

In all three areas, it is our goal to achieve and ensure working conditions, business decisions, and processes that support the UN's Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

Below are the initiatives that we have currently found to be relevant, significant and realistic.

Sustainable business

No matter how efficiently we try to utilize and nest our raw materials, we will inevitably have waste from the manufacture of gaskets and seals.

In collaboration with THE UPCYCL, a Danish initiative for upcycling of industrial waste, we seek to circulate residual sheet materials from our production to companies in other markets. The life cycle of materials is extended in new supply chains for the benefit of the environment. Waste becomes a resource, and the need for new, virgin materials is reduced.

Better use of resources

The initiative contributes to UN's Sustainable Development Goal 12 by reducing the consumption/use of natural resources.

Sustainable business

No matter how efficiently we try to nest the production orders and utilize our raw materials, we will inevitably have excess residues of sheet metal from the manufacture of gaskets. Copper, aluminum, iron and stainless steel are sorted and sold for recycling.

Recycling metals has many benefits for the climate and environment: Recycling 1 ton of iron, for example, saves more than 1 ton of CO₂ emissions. Recycling of aluminum is excellent because the material is energy-intensive to produce. Recycling saves 95% of the energy compared to making aluminum from new ore.

Better use of resources

The initiative contributes to UN's Sustainable Development Goal no. 12 by recycling the refined natural resources rather than depositing metal slag after waste incineration.

Sustainable organisation

Since 2021, Betech has been receiving and processing invoices from creditors digitally.

The documents are automatically scanned and prepared for approval, accounting, and payment. The digitisation has streamlined the work process and reduced consumption of fine paper, printer cartridges, and electricity.

Less use of natural resources and reduced CO₂ footprint

The initiative contributes to UN's Sustainable Development Goals no. 12 and 13 by reducing the consumption/use of natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable organisation

A considerable part of moulded rubber parts is manufactured in China, among others at Betech's sister company in Qingdao. Many compounds (non-vulcanized A significant share of moulded rubber parts is manufactured in China, including rubber compounds) are manufactured in Europe and transported to the Chinese factory where the moulding process takes place.

Betech is actively working to transform the sourcing of compounds into local suppliers in China, thereby save a good part of the initial transport. This is possible because Betech has the mixing recipes used.

Reduction of CO₂ footprint

This initiative contributes to UN’s Sustainable Development Goal no. 13 as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions from transport of semi-finished materials.

Sustainable organisation

From January 2022, the priority mode of transport for serial productions and any bulky loads shipped from China is changed from air freight or sea freight to rail transport.

Over years, more and more shipments have been carried by aircraft. By changing mode of transport, the transportation-related CO₂ footprint is reduced from up to 704 to just 32.7 grams per tonne∙km, which is a potential reduction of 95 percent.

Railway provides better security of supply as well as shorter transit times than the immediate alternative, transport by cargo ship.

Today, air freight is only exceptionally offered as an option.

Reduction of CO₂ footprint

This initiative contributes to UN’s Sustainable Development Goal no. 13 as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the distribution of goods.

Sustainable organisation

To reduce the transport intensity from our warehouse to customers, Betech has introduced fixed shipping days.

This means that customers who previously received goods from us several times a week or even every day, in the future will receive goods from Betech only once - or if very necessary, twice - a week.

Reduction of CO₂ footprint

With fixed shipping days, the delivered quantity per transport increases and the CO₂ intensity of our domestic delivery service is reduced. This initiative contributes to UN’s Sustainable Development Goal no. 13.

Sustainable organisation

At the Herlev location, in the first half of 2023 all room lighting will be switched from predominantly fluorescent tubes to LED light sources.

At the Bramming location, the replacement of old light sources (predominantly fluorescent tubes) for LED light sources in offices and service rooms will be completed in 2023, and replacement for LED light fixtures in the production buildings will continue sectionally until all room lighting has been completed.

Reduction of CO₂ footprint

This initiative contributes to UN’s Sustainable Development Goal no. 13 as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions from consumption of energy for room lighting.

Sustainable organisation

At the Herlev location (administration), in 2022, air-to-air heat pumps were installed in all offices and work areas. District heating is only used for domestic hot water and limited heating of service rooms during the winter period.

At the Bramming location (production and administration), the consumption of gas for space heating will be reduced: A heat pump has already been installed in the canteen area, and, in 2023 more heat pumps will be installed in the offices. In the production areas, the heating temperature during the winter period has been lowered, and it is being investigated whether additional automatic heating control allows for a further reduction of gas consumption for water and space heating. Connection to district heating is expected to be possible in 2024 and must be considered.

Reduction of CO₂ footprint

This initiative contributes to UN’s Sustainable Development Goal no. 13 as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions from consumption of energy for heating.

Sustainable supply chain

Betech collaborate globally with a numerous network of suppliers and partners to provide manufactured goods and raw materials to produce finished goods to our customers.

We take responsibility for a sustainable trade based on healthy and safe conditions, and suppliers must agree and comply with the Code of Conduct for Suppliers, which has been drawn up by our group.

Code of Conduct for Suppliers is based on the UN’s Global Compact, the ILO’s core conventions, UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the OECD’s guidelines for multinational companies, competition legislation and anti-corruption regulations.

Assessment of 80 pct. of purchased volume

To ensure compliance and commitment, suppliers shall make a self-assessment through a digital sustainability questionnaire. The aim is to have at least 80 percent our purchase volume represented over time.

Betech is committed to the CSR policy of the Addtech group and contributes to the annual joint reporting besides local sustainability efforts.

Addtech, and it's subsidiaries, strives to maintain a transparent business climate and high business ethics. We value the safety and respect of everyone affected by our business. Because of this, we offer a Whistleblower service that can be used by anyone to report irregularities that goes against our values and Code of Conduct. To ensure anonymity for the whistleblower function, we use and external partner, Whistle B.