The solar power technology manufacturer SolarWorld AG is the first TecDAX company to be awarded the "GREEN BRANDS Germany" certificate. The GREEN BRANDS certificate is presented exclusively to brands with a proven track record of environmentally sustainable actions both inside and outside the company. An independent jury evaluates the implementation and continuous further development.
Sustainability is an integral part of the entrepreneurial conduct of the SolarWorld AG and has been anchored in the brand philosophy of the company from the beginning. "As the only German solar module manufacturer, we cover the entire photovoltaic value chain from silicon to module. Only in this way can we ensure that our demands on quality and sustainability are met at every stage of production. Clean products must be manufactured cleanly. In this way, the product also has a sustainable value for society. We are pleased that our commitment has been recognized by independent experts and consumers," said Colette Rückert-Hennen, Chief Human Resources and Brand Officer of the SolarWorld AG.
"At SolarWorld, sustainability is a conviction they live. The company has achieved impressive results, particularly in the validation phase," said Norbert Lux, COO of the GREEN BRANDS organization.
Three-stage procedure as the basis for certification
The international organization GREEN BRANDS certifies products, services and companies with environmentally friendly production. The certification is made together with independent market research institutes such as Ipsos and the Sustainable Europe Research Institute (SERI). For the first time, a three-level procedure has been established. It consists of nomination, validation and final evaluation by an independent jury.
SolarWorld was convincing across the board
The nomination phase consisted of a representative market research study by the Ipsos Institute. Within the framework of the survey, those questioned nominated brands from different categories for the next phase.
In the validation phase, the SolarWorld AG provided comprehensive information about environmentally relevant aspects. The areas ranged from the extraction of raw materials over production to product sales. In the final assessment and evaluation of the criteria catalog, the SolarWorld AG convinced the jury in every aspect.
Multiple awards
The SolarWorld AG has already been recognized several times for its commitment to sustainability, including receiving the 2008 German Sustainability Award. The company is also regularly found at the top of independent sustainability rankings, and is considered in the industry to be a leader in detailed and transparent reporting.