Our ESG Strategy
At CeramTec, we are committed to producing high-quality technical ceramics in a sustainable way. We recognise the environmental challenges for our industry and take responsibility for minimising our impact while delivering products that support a sustainable future. Producing technical ceramics requires significant energy, a reality we are continually addressing through innovative measures. While energy-intensive, our production processes result in highly durable components, which means that our industrial products require less frequent replacement, contributing to lower environmental impact over their lifetime. These material characteristics make CeramTec products more sustainable for critical applications, contributing to the reduction of waste, and supporting health-focused industries.
Learn more in our ESG ReportOur Ambitions
We are actively researching innovative ways to decarbonise and reduce our energy consumption. While we are proud of our efforts, we recognise there is much more to achieve.
Our actions:
Numerous operational activities and investments have been made to reduce energy consumption in daily operations and to lower emissions resulting from our direct business processes. Some examples are listed below:
- Ongoing installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels
- Purchase Power Agreement for 10 GWh of electricity produced by German PV park
- Purchase of certificates of origin for renewable electricity
- CO2 neutral electricity procurement strategy
- Development of a decarbonisation roadmap
- Green electricity by 2030
- Continuous involvement of all employees to develop new ideas across all functions
- CO2-neutral electricity procurement
CeramTec has initiated a structured transition plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its energy‑intensive operations, with a focus on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. As part of a decarbonisation project launched in 2024 and executed in 2024/2025, site‑specific decarbonisation roadmaps were developed for the most energy‑intensive production sites, outlining short‑, medium‑and long‑term measures to improve energy efficiency, increase the use of renewable electricity and transition to lower‑carbon energy sources. The transition plan is implemented through targeted investments and operational measures.
At CeramTec, our operations are largely focused on production, so circular economy and all of its components are of very high importance to our sustainability strategy.
Our actions:
Where possible, we resell our waste products to be recycled or repurposed. A portion of our ceramics waste is utilised by other companies, while some metals are sold to specialized waste companies.
Through proactive management and continued compliance with regulatory standards, we intend to promote a cleaner, healthier environment through pollution reduction.
Our actions:
Each of our sites operates a variety of air filters, thermal upgrades, cooling towers and wastewater treatment systems. All sites, including those without ISO certification, comply with the respective national legislation regarding pollution limits.
Our ISO 14001-certified sites at CeramTec GmbH (Plochingen, Ebersbach Marktredwitz and Lauf, all Germany), Czech Republic, UK, and China, have emergency management systems in place, including procedures to ensure preparedness for incidents also involving hazardous substances. These substances are stored in compliance with applicable legal requirements.
None of our operations would be possible without the efforts and commitment of our workforce. The health, safety and wellbeing of our people are a priority for CeramTec and form a core element of our approach to managing workforce related impacts.
All employees are provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required for their role. CeramTec also operates a portal through which our employees can report ‘near misses’ in the workplace.
Health is a key part of our DNA as a company. Beyond accident prevention, CeramTec promotes employee health through a range of workplace health initiatives.
CeramTec is committed to equal opportunities across its workforce and promotes fair and non‑discriminatory access to all positions. Recruitment practices are designed to ensure transparency and equal access, including the use of inclusive language in job postings and the equal promotion of internal career opportunities, in line with applicable legal requirements.
In Germany, CeramTec supports the representation of employees with disabilities through cooperation with the Konzernschwerbehindertenvertretung (KSBV - “Group representative body for employees with disabilities”). In addition, CeramTec supports early career orientation in technical fields through initiatives such as Girls’ Day and internship programmes.
CeramTec recognises the importance of social dialogue and respects the rights of employees to freedom of association and collective representation in accordance with applicable local laws. In countries where formal employee representation structures exist, social dialogue is conducted through established bodies and processes at local or national level. In Germany, this includes cooperation with works councils in line with statutory co‑determination requirements. In other regions, such as the United Kingdom, employee representation is organised in accordance with local regulations, including recognised trade union structures.
We are committed to conducting our business in a manner that respects the human rights and dignity of all, and we support international efforts to promote and protect human rights, including the absolute rejection of child labour, slavery, human trafficking and forced labour. These efforts are led by our Human Rights Delegate and, in accordance with the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, “LkSG”), supported by our entire organisation.
We encourage our employees and other stakeholders to report concerns by providing means to contact us confidentially. To that end we have a dedicated hotline, EthicsPoint, which enables anonymous reports. Per policy, we do not retaliate against any reporter who raises a concern or makes a report in good faith, and violations of this commitment are not tolerated.
In the reporting year, there were no fines or penalties issued by any authorities, or compensation for damages paid by the Company based on incidents and complaints.
“Learn and Grow” is one of CeramTec's corporate values. Continuous learning and development are a central aspect of not only our sustainability strategy, but also our business outlook. Our "Training and Competences" process instruction—applicable to our CT GmbH Industrial, Service Centre, and ETEC divisions—defines the structured approach to training within the organisation.
All high-risk suppliers[1] have been requested to complete an ESG assessment
- Percentage of high-risk suppliers that have undergone an ESG assessment
- Percentage of suppliers rated as high risk
All top suppliers[2] have been requested to complete an ESG assessment
- Percentage of top suppliers that have undergone an ESG assessment
All suppliers undergo an ESG pre-risk check
- Number of top suppliers audited with on-site audit or third-party audit
Cultivate and strengthen partnerships with suppliers for a more sustainable and responsible supply chain
- Dialogue with suppliers, site visits, and renewed contracts
- Review of supplier code of conduct
- Implement new supplier code of conduct
- Online ESG risk assessment for suppliers
- Online ESG self-assessment for suppliers
- Further action based on risk assessment results
[1] High-risk suppliers: all suppliers that are rated as high-risk after an internal ESG risk assessment based on a variety of ESG indices.
[2] Top suppliers: Top 50 suppliers in spend, make up ~ 60% of spend.
CeramTec’s approach to supplier relationship management is based on clear expectations, risk-based assessments and continuous dialogue. Our Supplier Standards are publicly available and set out binding requirements for ethical conduct, human rights, environmental responsibility and compliance. We furthermore continuously monitor our suppliers through regular direct interaction and third-party providers of standardized supplier assessment.
- AEO: Authorized Economic Operator: signifies that abusiness is recognised as a reliable and secure player in the global supply chain, facilitating streamlined customs processes and international trade.
- IATF 16949: a global standard for quality management in the automotive industry, focusing on defect prevention, reducing variation, and promoting continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.
Products
We focus on:
- Delivering best-in-class quality across our product offerings.
- Developing technical ceramics that aid the sustainability transformation of our industry customers, especially in areas such as electrification and smart grid technology.
- Offering durable, biocompatible implant components that enhance the well-being of patients.
Governance
Our governance approach ensures we are creating an inclusive and ethical environment for our people and those whom we do business. For CeramTec, this means applying meaningful governance structures and following best practices when it comes to reporting misconduct, employee recognition, and health and safety.
Find out more in the Compliance section.
The Advisory Committee, representing CeramTec’s shareholders and Non-Executive Directors selected by the shareholders, receives regular updates on CeramTec Group compliance and sustainability matters through its Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, as a dedicated subcommittee of the Advisory Committee, receives sustainability updates twice a year, covering ESG performance and key metrics, material sustainability-related risks and opportunities, progress against climate targets, and regulatory developments including CSRD compliance. The Remuneration Committee, also a subcommittee of the Advisory Committee, oversees matters related to equal pay, ensuring that CeramTec’s remuneration practices are fair and equitable across the organisation.
- The CeramTec Code of Conductreflects the Group’s commitment to transparent, lawful and ethical business conduct. Last revised in March 2023, it is publicly available on the company website and describes the main principles governing business behaviour as well as the key channels through which employees and third parties can raise concerns. Complementing this, the CeramTec Group Supplier Standards are also publicly available and set out CeramTec’s expectations regarding ethical conduct and compliance for suppliers.
- CeramTec promotes a speak‑up culture and provides secure and accessible channels for employees and external stakeholders to raise concerns about suspected misconduct. Reports can be submitted via EthicsPoint, a third-party managed tool available 24/7 with online and telephone reporting and translator support, including the option to report anonymously where permitted. Additional reporting routes include line managers, Human Resources, and the Legal & Compliance function.
CeramTec takes data privacy and cybersecurity seriously across all its operations. Employees receive training on applicable data protection requirements in their respective jurisdictions. Regular penetration tests are conducted to identify vulnerabilities, and selected sites maintain TISAX compliance, reflecting CeramTec’s commitment to automotive industry security standards.
CeramTec maintains a group-wide anti-corruption and anti-bribery framework aligned with the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Our Code of Conduct sets out the core principles of lawful and ethical business conduct, and the Global Antibribery Policy specifies the rules and controls to implement these commitments in practice. This framework applies to all CeramTec entities worldwide and also to relevant third parties who provide services to, or represent, CeramTec.
Reporting channels
Compliance controls
Training and awareness
Governance and appovals
