For soil protection, production facilities must be safeguarded so that any chemicals released despite all precautions cannot reach the soil. Therefore, our production sites are normally located in established industrial and commercial zones. In order to ensure soil protection, it is often not possible to unseal surfaces.
However, since our sites also provide a habitat for numerous species of plants and animals, we aim to increase the share of unsealed surfaces as far as possible.
We already developed a green space concept for the Darmstadt site in 1995. Green spaces presently cover approximately 30% of the site premises. Depending on where they are located on the site and on their respective function, the green spaces are designed to improve the functionality of plant operating areas and to enhance the ecological value of open spaces. In 2008, we signed a contract with the city of Darmstadt that set the framework for taking nature conservation more into account. This applies to the industrial use of the site and its better integration into the urban surroundings. The agreed planning guidelines require, for example, a higher share of native plants.
When planning new sites and facilities, we consider environmental aspects, such as aeration, land use structures that contribute to a favorable microclimate, and energy-efficient building concepts. When planning the expansion of our site in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland, we conducted a biodiversity study. To protect the bordering alpine meadows, we developed a landscape plan; the maintenance is carried out by a local farmer.
When acquiring and divesting sites, we examine them for any environmental pollution. We assume responsibility for any pollution we cause.
