society and in respect of implementing an active CSR policy that includes corporate citizenship. Imtech is
at the leading edge of CSR in the technical services provision branch.
Definition and ambition
Imtech defi nes CSR as the proactive meeting of society’s demands and stakeholders’ (implicit) expectations regarding social and ecological issues. Imtech wishes to exceed the legally stipulated obligations. Imtech has developed a pragmatic vision of how its own primary business activities can contribute towards sustainable development.
Contributing towards a sustainable society
By using innovative technology solutions Imtech’s core business enables the company to contribute towards solving social issues. Imtech is, therefore, involved in numerous projects with the focus on energy & environment:
‘green’ technology in ‘green’ buildings, ‘green’ data ◾
centres, ‘green’ ships, ‘green’ airports, etc., with integrated solutions in the fi eld of energy saving; the sustainable exploitation of energy sources, bio- ◾
energy and sustainable alternative energy;
lower emissions of harmful (greenhouse) gases ◾
especially in industry and shipping;
reduced emissions of fi ne particles by road traffi c ◾
through intelligent mobility solutions and high-tech traffi c measures;
the achievement of clean water and the prevention of ◾
water pollution through the technical equipping and maintenance of (waste) water plants and (waste) water treatment centres.
The extent of the activities in the fi eld of energy & environment in 2009 amounted to 25% of Imtech’s total revenue.
Examples of CSR projects in 2009
Imtech carried out hundreds of energy & environment projects. The following is just a sample.
Energy and ‘green’ technology
the ‘green’ revitalising of the Deutsche Bank’s head ◾
offi ce in Frankfurt;
the ‘green’ technology in the stadium for the 2012 ◾
Olympic Games in London;
numerous sustainable technical solutions on board ◾
Greenpeace’s new fl agship – the ‘Rainbow Warrior III’; energy management and energy contracting (contracts ◾
worth 420 million euro) for 10 to 15 years for Germany’s National Security Service, Caterpillar, Infi neon and Vodafone;
the technology for providing energy through a ◾
combined heat & power plant and concrete activation at the University of East Anglia in England;
energy plants based on innovative combined heat & ◾
power at Dublin Airport and in the Amsterdam Medical Centre;
innovative BES fi eld ground ventilation (boreholes- ◾
energy-storage: heat and cooling in layers deep under the earth’s surface) in the Runwell education project in Essex;
innovative energy plants in Stade in Germany and the ◾
Eemshaven in the Netherlands; Green’ revitalisation
of Deutsche Bank’s head office in Frankfurt
Imtech carried out the ‘green’ technological revitalisation of two 150-metre-high office towers for the Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt. The result of the totally new ‘green’ technical infrastructure: 55% energy savings on electricity, 89% less CO2 emissions and 74% less water consumption.
the ‘green’ sustainable renovation of BNP Paribas ◾
Fortis’ head offi ce in Brussels;
energy technology for the production of 34 million m
◾ 2
of biogas and biomethanol in the biodiesel factory in the Valdemingómez Technological Park in Madrid; ‘green’ technology in the Dutch Army’s headquarters ◾
in Utrecht;
the generation of solar energy in two solar energy ◾
plants in Palma de Rio and a third in Badajoz in Spain; ‘green’ data centres for fi nancial institutions, telecom ◾
providers, supermarkets and payment and digital storage centres, for example ING, Rabobank, BT and Lidl;
the climate technology in the sustainable ecology ◾
‘Stockholm Waterfront’ project.
Environment
the reduction of air pollution at dozens of Dwr Cymru ◾
Welsh Water’s water treatment plants;
the technical infrastructure in virtually all the German ◾
automotive industry’s new energy testing and R&D centres aimed at developing energy-effi cient and environmentally-friendly cars;
innovative (diesel)electric propulsion that will lead to ◾
signifi cantly reduced fuel consumption and environmentally-harmful CO2 and Nox emissions on ships.
Fine particles
the technical maintenance and management of ◾
2,500 devices under the Dutch road network that are components of the traffi c management system as well as of various high-tech traffi c management centres in the Netherlands;
the reduction of fi ne particles thanks to high-tech ◾
traffi c infrastructure on all the motorways in eastern England;
technology partner in the ‘Keeping London Moving’ ◾
programme with maintenance of 42% of London’s total traffi c infrastructure;
maintenance and management of the NRTS project ◾
(National Road Telecommunications Services) to which all the Highways Agency’s traffi c systems are linked to ensure optimum traffi c fl ow and reduced fi ne particles.
Clean water
innovative technology for slurry dehydration in various ◾
waste water and sewage treatment plants;
various clean waste water projects for Dwr Cymru ◾
Welsh Water and Anglian Water Services in the UK; Anglian Water Services gave Imtech the responsibility ◾
for the technical infrastructure for the Wing Project – a new water treatment centre that supplies clean water to around one million people in East Anglia.
A link in the chain
Imtech seeks a balance between technology and ecology and between economy and standards and values. Imtech’s CSR cannot be restricted to its own company because Imtech is a link in chains that sometimes stretch around the world. Co-operation and consultation are, therefore, essential for the achievement of CSR goals. This applies not only to the co-operation with customers but also with co-manufacturers, suppliers and Imtech’s own general and technical services providers.
Imtech participates in CDP principles
In the coming years Imtech will focus on transparent reporting in the form of quantifi able and verifi able data. In this context, in 2009 Imtech participated for the fi rst time in the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) – an international survey of the measurable amount of CO2 emissions and their reduction among 3,000 stock exchange listed companies.
Green business vehicle fleet
In 2009 Imtech’s total Dutch leased vehicle fleet ran on env ironm en t- s av ing fuel, which saved 400,000 litres of fuel and prevented almost 1 million kilos of harmful CO2 emissions. This initiative will be followed up in other Imtech countries.
CSR criteria
Imtech’s CSR initiatives must fulfi l the following criteria: be related to Imtech’s primary business;
◾
contain a binding factor that is recognisable throughout ◾
the organisation;
have a good balance between short and long-term ◾
results;
create awareness at all levels within the organisation; ◾
can be achieved via a combination of top-down and ◾
bottom-up commitment;
generate suffi cient exposure and communication ◾
possibilities.
Business Principles and HR principles
In the Imtech Business Principles (see www.imtech.eu) and the Imtech HR Principles (see page 68) Imtech sets out its view that Corporate Social Responsibility, transparency and integrity are intrinsic to the functioning of Imtech and are applicable to all Imtech employees.
CSR projects in 2009
Imtech worked on the following CSR projects aimed at making the company’s primary business activities more sustainable.
Carbon footprint measurement
The fi rst step in the development of quantifi able CSR data is the development of an Imtech tool with which to measure the company’s own carbon footprint in global hectares (gha). This is the amount of biologically productive land and sea needed for one year to regenerate the resources consumed by Imtech’s primary processes and
absorb and render harmless the waste from these processes. The measuring method complies with the ISO 14064 standard. It relates to the emission of greenhouse gases resulting from the energy and water consumption of offi ces, business trips and the commuting of employees. This method has been tested in several countries. In 2010 Imtech is in a position to report these data in a reliable and consistent manner for its entire organisation. Internal discussions will then be started regarding how we can achieve a further reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Chain responsibility
As a CSR-aware company Imtech has its own ‘CSR Code of Supply’, which has been signed not only by Imtech but also by many of its co-manufacturers, suppliers and own general and technical services suppliers. The core of this code is reciprocal innovation, co-operation and creativity and the agreement to measure the carbon footprint and formulate goals, and an action plan, for reducing the carbon footprint. It is also agreed that project waste will be limited as far as possible and any waste that cannot be avoided will be disposed of in an environmentally-aware manner. The use of as many environmentally-aware products is also a target. Sustainable best practices are exchanged and compliance in the fi eld of HSE is permitted. The co-operation in the CSR fi eld is evaluated on a regular basis in order to seek out new ways to improve sustainability performance. Imtech has signed this code with around 50 companies in Europe and, in the near future, wants to increase this number to include all the major partners in the chain.
Managing waste streams and ‘green’ energy in offices Imtech does everything possible to separate and recycle waste in order to create new raw materials and works with reputable waste services providers. The resulting understanding of the data related to waste has helped in the drawing up of a waste policy. In total 10 million kWh of sustainable energy is generated by the incineration of residual waste each year and used as ‘green’ electricity for Imtech’s offi ces in the Netherlands. Information about this sustainable solution has been communicated throughout the organisation.
Green vehicle fleet
In 2009 Imtech’s total Dutch fl eet of leased vehicles ran on environment-saving fuel. Which meant Imtech reduced fuel consumption by 400,000 litres and prevented almost Corporate
citizenship:
The Ubuntu Company
The Ubuntu Company in South Africa makes design slippers from discarded car tyres. Imtech helped by offering advice regarding the relationship between technology and the work of employees and the introduction of a machine to cut the soles out of the car tyres.
Imtech advised The Ubuntu Company regarding the best relationship between the technologies used and the efforts of the employees. The goal is optimum effi ciency and maximum job opportunities. Imtech also provided advice regarding the possibilities of introducing a machine to cut out the soles in such a way that every slipper has a recognisable, unique ‘footprint’. The advice on both these aspects could signifi cantly improve The Ubuntu Company’s future prospects.
Energy awareness and savings in South Africa
Because energy costs are subsidised substantially by the South African government energy awareness is low. And as energy costs are rising by at least 25% a year this is causing major problems, especially for residents in the townships. At the same time, increased prosperity is bringing about a dramatic rise in energy consumption, the result of which is frequent power cuts. Energy awareness and energy savings are essential if the energy supply is to remain guaranteed and affordable.
Imtech, in co-operation with the NOVA foundation, which is supported by the Dutch development organisation ICCO, started a unique initiative to stimulate energy awareness in South Africa. The energy consumption of a great many households was metered and ways to achieve savings were recommended. The goal is to roll out this model on a large scale. As a result of Imtech’s advice ‘energy coaches’ were appointed and informative meetings were held. Co-operation with local manufacturers of energy-saving equipment, such as solar water heaters and energy- effi cient refrigerators, was also intensifi ed.
1 million kilos of harmful CO2 emissions. This initiative was, on a limited scale, followed up in other Imtech countries. The freedom of choice in the leased vehicle fl eet was restricted to ‘green cars’. In addition, the policy of limiting travel within Imtech and increasing communication via other methods was implemented. To this end various offi ce video conference rooms were set up.
Corporate Citizenship: ‘Shared Success in Developing Countries’
For Imtech Corporate Citizenship means a corporate strategy in which the Company’s own employees are deployed to carry out CSR projects in Third-World countries. Imtech has made a considered choice of South Africa because of its existing networks in the country (around 200 employees with the relevant back-offi ce facilities in our ten marine service points) and the absence of a language barrier. Via South African non-profi t organisations, Imtech wants to help local enterprises and communities achieve further development and improved welfare with the help of technological solutions in the core areas of energy, environment and water. This approach is called Shared Success in Developing Countries (SSDC) – a reference to Imtech’s corporate slogan. The cost of this policy is around 1 million euro per annum. In 2009 over 30 Imtech employees were directly involved with this policy. Imtech’s CSR community now comprises 450 employees. Within a few years this number must rise to 1,000.
Slippers promote the environment, welfare and children’s projects in South Africa
The Ubuntu Company, an initiative of Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and the KidsRights foundation, manufactured trendy design slippers for the European market. Sales of these slippers reached 25,000 in the fi rst year of production and expectations for future sales are high. The slippers are made in a factory in Durban by around 75 formerly homeless people from the townships. They are made out of discarded car tyres that formerly were dumped in the countryside. The fl ip-fl ops are a source of income for nearly 1,000 people, such as suppliers to and family members of the employees. The profi t is used for incentive projects for South African children. In the past this initiative received an Imtech Grant from the UfD Imtech fund from Delft University of Technology.
Stockholm Waterfront’ eco project
In Sweden Imtech is involved in the sus- tainable ‘Stockholm Waterfront’ project – an ecological top project that includes a wide range of innovative energy solutions and extremely low CO2 emissions, in part thanks to ice cooling.
Carbon Credits from South Africa: compensation for greenhouse gas emissions
Carbon Credits are certifi cated and tradable emission rights the revenue of which is used to promote welfare and sustainability projects for the local populace in developing countries. As a spin-off from the SSDC project mentioned above, the possibilities for the acquisition of certifi cated and tradable Carbon Credits have been inventoried and the possibility of generating these Carbon Credits via the energy-awareness and saving project has been investigated. In 2010 a framework agreement to use Carbon Credits as compensation for the emission of greenhouse gases in various pilot projects in co-operation with CSR-aware customers will be drawn up between Imtech, the Nova foundation and ICCO. This approach is unique in Europe.
ICARUS: making employees energy-aware
Another spin-off from the SSDC project was the ICARUS project – an Imtech-wide energy-awareness programme for Imtech employees in Europe. The energy consumption of 200 employees was metered using the same method as in South Africa. The project had several phases: metering the consumption, metering the effects of energy awareness, offering tips for energy savings, bringing the employees together in networks, setting up a website, recording the results and communicating these results internally. In the light of the interest shown by Housing Associations and other non-profi t organisations it has been decided to instigate a study into an external version of this programme.
Office-WISE: pilot for energy-neutral Imtech offices An initiative aimed at making a number of Imtech offi ce buildings, including the head offi ce, energy-effi cient has been started under the name Offi ce-WISE. The project involves three lines of approach: metering the energy consumption and increasing energy awareness, implementing energy-saving measures, and using the Carbon Credits received via the framework agreement between Imtech, the Nova foundation and ICCO to make these offi ce buildings energy-neutral. This initiative is promoting energy-effi cient operation within Imtech.
Imtech takes responsibility for the environment Imtech’s marine offi ce in Rotterdam is on the site of a former gas factory. The polluting production activities carried out by this factory for 50 years left the soil very contaminated. In fact, substantial pollution was discovered six metres under the surface. Measurements showed that these oils containing CFCs could come into contact with underground water. To prevent this an environmental survey was carried out by Imtech’s Arbodienst, the municipal authorities and various environmental organisations. It was decided to excavate the contaminated soil down to eight metres, and remove the source. The soil was then decontaminated. The total cost of the operation was approximately 1 million euro, approximately half of which was subsidised by the municipal and provincial authorities.
ISO 14001 certification
Imtech has been awarded ISO 14001 certifi cation in a number of countries including the UK, Spain and the Nordic region. Certifi cation of several other Imtech countries will follow in the coming years.
Icos Cleantech Fund I: early involvement with the latest sustainable technology
Imtech, along with CSM, Farm Frites and Icos Capital, is a participant in the Icos Cleantech Fund I. This is a fund in which technology experts, entrepreneurs and scientists work together with the objective of bringing promising technologies to development. The focus is on energy, waste and food. Imtech is participating with an amount of up to 2 million euro. Participation in this fund enables
‘Green’ technology for the Dutch Army’s headquarters
Imtech is responsible for all the ‘green’ technology and high- tech security in the Dutch Army’s new headquarters in Utrecht including heat and cold storage, low-energy air and climate technology and a sustainable sewerage system.
lighting and an interior based on the ‘cradle-to-cradle’ principle will be incorporated. The offi ce will be ready in 2010.
QHSE: Quality, Health, Safety and Environment All the Imtech companies meet the highest QHSE standards, are certifi cated on the basis of the relevant ISO quality standards, have all the necessary safety certifi cation and also have extra certifi cation for specifi c projects. QHSE is guaranteed by a management system that is regularly checked and optimised. The QHSE performance of partners and suppliers is expected to be at least comparable to that of Imtech. Imtech’s policy focuses on continuous process improvement and a better and better HSE performance. Imtech goes far further than the