close

Sustainability is a tradition at Karl Knauer

Sustainable: that's what we are by nature. As a family-run company with its roots in the Black Forest, responsibility for people, the environment and nature has always been very important to us. Sustainability is therefore a central component of our corporate strategy. In all our services relating to packaging, advertising materials, gift packaging and mechanical engineering, our aim is to increase the efficiency of processes, conserve resources and minimise emissions. Our efforts are constantly growing. And so are our successes. 

 

Nadelbäume im Wald
0 %
climate protection
fully compensated energy footprint
Karl Knauer Biberach
0 %
tonnes of CO2
In 2024, Karl Knauer Biberach offset
more CO2 than it produced
0 +
Mandy trainee projects
Bee pasture, honey, insect hotel, nesting box construction,
tree planting campaign, etc.
EcoSmart Packaging

Sustainability is in our DNA. Over 80 years

‘Grows’ and is recyclable: cardboard is made from the renewable raw material wood and is therefore particularly environmentally friendly. In addition, no other product is recycled as intensively as packaging made of cardboard, paperboard or paper. Even though sustainability is already in the cartonboard - we get even more out of it: By designing folding cartons in such a way that they are efficient and safe throughout their entire life cycle. Our raw materials come primarily from the EU, preferably from sustainable forestry. Look out for FSC®-certified products!

Obst- und Gemüseschale aus Graskarton
Particularly sustainable packaging from our customers made from grass cardboard

Reduce sensibly, avoid intelligently: This applies to us in all areas. Waste avoidance begins as early as the packaging development stage: new packaging is designed to minimise the amount of material used and placed on the printed sheet. The reduction of waste and rejects is also a requirement for the acquisition of new production machines. The administrative area is also involved: Here, work is carried out with as little paper as possible - supported by a document management system.

Bunte kleine Kartonabschnitte
Active waste management
Hohe Faltschachtel mit Cut-Outs
Cardboard instead of plastic: Tomato shaker with minimal material usage

Sustainable added value for our customers


As a development partner, we advise you on eco-friendly materials and sustainable packaging concepts. The focus is on innovative, ecological cardboard materials and minimal material use – without compromising the functionality and quality of the final product.

Stromerzeugung auf der Karl Knauer-Produktionshalle
Photovoltaic system on the roof of the production hall in Biberach

Saving energy systematically and responsibly


Saving energy with a system: Through targeted measures, we are continuously becoming more efficient. Energy efficiency is a fundamental requirement when acquiring new systems and building technologies. In production, building management, and mobility, we have been able to permanently reduce energy consumption – including through LED technology, solar thermal energy, and modern printing presses.

Project "Cookstoves in Ghana" – certified according to Gold Standard

100% Compensation of the Energy Balance in Biberach


We offset unavoidable emissions at the Biberach site through the climate protection project "Cookstoves in Ghana." It replaces inefficient cooking stoves with energy-efficient Gyapa charcoal stoves, reducing the need for charcoal and saving CO₂. The project is certified according to the internationally recognized "Gold Standard."

Karl Knauer KG receives EcoVadis Bronze for responsible action.

Karl Knauer receives EcoVadis Bronze Medal


Karl Knauer KG has been recognized in the current EcoVadis ranking for its commitment to sustainability. The bronze medal confirms the company's consistent efforts towards environmental and social standards and reflects its strategic goal of combining responsibility with economic success.

Excellent climate protection
Karl Knauer KG compensates 100 % of its energy balance and was honoured by the Association of Paper, Print and Media South Baden (vpdm) in 2021 for its 10-year membership in the CO2 Climate Initiative.
Acting green

Sustainability projects of our apprentices

The Karl Knauer bee pasture

In spring 2020, the Karl Knauer trainees laid the foundation stone for another project for the future: With our support, the work area for around 60,000 new Karl Knauer employees in Zell am Harmersbach was set up on a 2,600 m² area: a flower meadow that has since been blooming all summer long with many different varieties and provides a valuable habitat for numerous insects, but above all for the new Karl Knauer bee colony. Equipped with protective clothing, the Karl Knauer trainees set about harvesting the honey under the expert guidance of ‘Bee Martin’. A total of 32 kilograms were extracted and bottled by hand. As you would expect from a packaging expert, a specially designed honeycomb packaging was designed and realised together with the trainees. 

Construction of the insect hotel

Since summer 2022, there has been an insect hotel built by the trainees themselves, which complements the Karl Knauer bee pasture. This lovingly designed hotel provides a home for numerous insects, including bees, butterflies and beetles, and thus actively contributes to the protection of local biodiversity. Our trainees have worked with great care and creativity on this project together with ‘Bienenmartin’ and we are proud that they are making a positive contribution to the environment. The insect hotel is not only a place of shelter, but also a symbol of our commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. 

 

 

 

Strong tree trainee project

In cooperation with the Ortenau Landscape Conservation Association, the forest district manager for the Biberach municipal forest Christoph Müller and Forstservice Schnaitter, four trainees from Karl Knauer KG realised the project launched in 2021 at the beginning of March 2022 and reforested a fallow area of around 1,000 m² in Biberach/Baden. A total of 250 sessile oaks and 50 small-leaved lime trees were planted to recultivate a former burnt area. From the preparation of the area to the procurement of planting material and planting through to the installation of special sustainable wooden growth covers to protect the young plants from damage by wild animals, the project gave the trainees an insight into a wide range of topics. 
 

Nest box construction

Our trainees worked with the in-house joinery to produce impressive nesting boxes. This collaboration not only enabled the production of high-quality nesting boxes, but also promoted the exchange of expertise and craftsmanship between the trainees and the carpentry experts. As a result, they created new valuable habitats for various bird species. The resulting nesting boxes are not only a sign of our commitment to nature conservation, but also a practical example of the combination of traditional craftsmanship and environmental awareness. At the 2024 summer party, all employees will have the opportunity to win one of these unique nesting boxes as part of our biodiversity project.

Sustainable on the road

E-cars in use

Official handover of keys to managing partner Stefanie Wieckenberg

Since 2021, two fully electric VW E-Ups have been part of the Karl Knauer fleet and show where the journey is heading in terms of mobility. Because the proportion of company cars with electric drives will also increase continuously at our company. To ensure that Karl Knauer is prepared for the changeover from combustion engines to electric drives, the company has installed a future-oriented charging infrastructure for eight charging stations, which can be expanded to a total of 16 charging stations, in the company car park. Incidentally, one of the two E-Ups is reserved exclusively for trainees. It is at their free disposal and is used for journeys to school, company matters or also privately over the weekend.

 

News

Sustainable information

This might also interest you

Newsletter: Always up-to-date