Karl Knauer once again wins two PSI Sustainability Awards

Sustainable overall concept impresses judging panel

Karl Knauer KG is one of the big winners of the 2022 PSI Sustainability Awards. An international panel of judges presented the Black Forest-based promotional product and packaging expert with awards in the categories “Economic Excellence” and “Environmental Initiative”. Karl Knauer has been recognised multiple times by the prestigious PSI Awards in recent years and is considered a leader in the field of sustainability, an issue that has become a key driver and focal point in the promotional products industry. These awards are therefore highly relevant. They were presented at the PSI Sustainability Awards in Düsseldorf on 21 June 2022 during a gala evening that brought together the largest network within the European promotional products industry and around 120 sustainability experts.

“Economic Excellence” for consistent, sustainable quality management
The “Economic Excellence” category award went to Karl Knauer for its sustainable quality management system, something which has been developed continually and consistently over the past years. The multiple winner of the PSI Sustainability Awards came out on top of the competition with a clear points lead. It was above all the certified quality assurance and process standards offered by Karl Knauer that tipped the scales in the company’s favour for this high-profile award. “Our quality standards are just as high as our environmental standards, which is why we hold such a diverse range of certifications in all areas relevant to the production of promotional products and packaging as well as the environment. This ranges from FSC®, PEFC and certified energy and environmental management systems to hygiene and BRC quality management certification,” says Karl Knauer Managing Director Michael Deronja, explaining the company’s commitment.

Unanimous vote for Karl Knauer in the “Environmental Initiative” category!
The judging panel praised the company’s environmental initiatives in its statement, “Karl Knauer KG has been impressively demonstrating for years how sustainability can be integrated into a company and lived by the entire workforce." The Black Forest promotional product and packaging specialist has been certified as a carbon neutral company since 2017. The PSI Award team of experts gave special mention to the award-winning project “2021 Apprentices' Bee Pasture”, which is part of the overall concept “Environmental Orientation and Sustainability at Karl Knauer” submitted in 2022. This is based on a holistic, long-term strategy and includes production processes, materials, in-house commitment and external initiatives ranging from within the company’s region to projects in Africa. Unanimous in its decision to award the prize, the judging panel went on to say that the overall concept is an impressive reflection of the company’s holistic approach.

A natural advantage: sustainability in all areas
“We’re pleased and very proud that the panel, as well as an ever increasing number of our customers, values our sustainability strategy. This important European award gives us further motivation to continue steadfastly on this path," says Stefanie Wieckenberg, Managing Director at Karl Knauer KG. Our natural advantage, namely producing promotional stationery products and packaging made from cardboard, flute and paper, is far from enough for us. We’re putting enormous efforts into implementing even more measures to protect our planet. Our certificates and falling environmental impact values confirm that we’re on the right track. As well as ensuring greater environmental orientation within the company, we’re also contributing to the use of more environmentally friendly materials and a genuinely more sustainable way of working for all concerned through the environmentally conscious guidance we offer our customers. This all makes a very real difference in the fight against climate change."