Resources and circular economy

Management approach

The responsible use of resources and contribution to the circular economy is one of the twelve key topics in the Group’s sustainability strategy. Geberit primarily consumes mineral raw materials, metals and plastics. CO₂ emissions associated with purchased materials and products amount to 577,357 tonnes of CO₂ (Scope 3) and account for 54.7% of the company’s entire CO₂ emissions.

For further information on reduction measures for Scope 3 emissions, see Energy and CO₂ or Emissions in Scope 3.

Impacts, risks and opportunities

The consumption of finite raw materials, semi-finished products and finished products reduces the availability of (finite) resources. In addition, waste disposal along the entire value chain generates various emissions into the environment. Other potential consequences of excessive resource consumption include higher procurement costs, reputational risks and production downtime due to supply bottlenecks. Conversely, a consistent focus on resource efficiency creates opportunities, as this significantly impacts water, energy and resource consumption in both product manufacturing and the use phase. With resource-efficient, durable and high-quality products, the company can create added value for customers and contribute to environmental protection.

Management system

Environmental management is carried out in accordance with ISO 14001. All production plants, the logistics centre in Pfullendorf (DE), and the management company incorporating all Group functions at headquarters in Rapperswil-Jona (CH) are certified in accordance with this standard. Resource efficiency is very high, particularly in plastics processing: production waste is minimised, separated, recycled or thermally recovered. Thanks to internal recycling, nearly 100% of all processed plastics are fed back into the production process.

Since 2020, the company has been involved in the Operation Clean Sweep initiative, which is committed to ensuring that plastic granules do not pollute the environment. The implementation of adopted measures is regularly reviewed as part of internal and external (ISO) audits.

The processes involved in ceramic production result in large quantities of waste. In 2024, resource efficiency in ceramic production decreased by 5.5% to 0.44 kg of waste per kg of ceramic (previous year 0.42 kg of waste per kg of ceramic).

Durability and spare parts availability

Geberit sees the development of durable products as making the largest contribution to saving resources and the circular economy.

The sanitary technology company also supports the quality and longevity of products by a particularly long spare parts availability – 50 years for concealed cisterns and their mechanical components, and 25 years for a significant proportion of the rest of the product range. Newly developed products and components are often backwards compatible, meaning older products can also be enhanced with the addition of new components and functions. These aspects play a decisive role in minimising the use of energy and resources, increasing the service life and useful life of the products.

Eco-design

At Geberit, eco-design is the key to an efficient handling of resources. All products have been developed consistently in line with this principle since 2007: seen across the entire life cycle – from obtaining the raw materials right through to disposal – each new product should be better than its predecessor from an ecological perspective, and all without sacrificing on quality, functionality or durability. Eco-design covers all stages of the product life cycle and thus follows the circular economy approach. For further information, see Eco-design.

Data-based management of hazardous substances

Since 2017, a standardised, software-based process has been in place for managing hazardous operating and auxiliary materials. This is used in all 26 production plants. In 2024, the volume of hazardous substances used was reduced by 9%. For example, process optimisation in the production of welded, bent Mapress Stainless Steel fittings not only helped improve efficiency, quality, ergonomics and waste, but also reduced pickling step by step.

Key figures material

Raw materials and semi-finished products

Production is characterised by a high in-house production depth, i.e. it largely purchases raw materials and semi-finished products with a high share of raw materials.

The most important materials in the production of sanitary products are:

• Plastic and metal raw materials
• Mineral raw materials
• Various semi-finished and finished products

A total of 391,985 tonnes of materials were used in 2024 (previous year 381,524 tonnes). Direct materials with a procurement value of CHF 850.3 million (previous year CHF 882.7 million) were sourced from 1,481 suppliers around the globe and divided into the following categories: raw materials (28.1%), semi-finished products (45.0%) and finished products (29.0%).

The use of materials depends on the various manufacturing processes: the Group has ten plants for manufacturing sanitary ceramics, twelve plants for processing plastic and metal (including the plant for manufacturing bathroom furniture) and four plants in the area of metal composites and metal. The range of production processes used includes the areas of ceramic production, plastic injection moulding, plastic blow moulding, plastic extrusion, metal- and thermoforming, woodworking and assembly.

Additionally, around 30,500 tonnes of packaging material were purchased in the reporting year (previous year 29,300 tonnes).

Detailed key figures on the use of materials can be found at Tables of key figures > Environmental matters.

Recycling

With plastics, Geberit primarily uses virgin material. The search for suitable, high-quality regranulate from external plastic waste (post-consumer waste) is, however, an integral part of the Group’s procurement strategy. In terms of the material Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), a suitable alternative made of 100% recycled material was found. This alternative is based on high-quality plastic waste from the electronics industry. According to the supplier, the manufacture of this regranulate consumes over 80% less energy compared to the manufacture of a tonne of new petrochemical-based plastic, while releasing around four tonnes less CO₂ per tonne of regranulate into the atmosphere. In 2024, 846 tonnes of ABS regranulate (previous year 792 tonnes) were used for various components in exposed and concealed cisterns, the mounting frame for actuator plates, and in the plastic flush guide of WC ceramic appliances. Other high-quality recycled plastics (post-consumer waste) include polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP), with annual volumes of 30 tonnes and 10 tonnes, respectively (previous year 49 tonnes, 2 tonnes).

In the reporting year, 730 tonnes of plastic waste had to be disposed of externally (previous year 680 tonnes). At the same time, 7,400 tonnes of plastic waste were either recycled directly on-site or ground in a decentralised mill and fed back into the production process.

Raw materials are also recycled internally and fed back into the process in ceramic production. The recycling rate for the ceramic slip is 5 to 10% and 20 to 40% for the glaze, corresponding to around 23,900 tonnes in total in the reporting year.

Reuse of products and packaging materials

Due to their long service life and the way in which they are installed, Geberit products can be reused or recycled to a very limited extent. Recyclability can be improved by using recyclable thermoplastics instead of non-recyclable duroplast plastics.

The company has been following a new packaging strategy since 2023. The goal is to reduce the amount of packaging material while also increasing the share of recycled material, without affecting the stability and quality of the packaging. The first results from this strategy can be seen on the shower toilet. The packaging was standardised and simplified in the reporting year, allowing the amount of packaging used to be reduced by a third. Additionally, the packaging of the Sigma01, Sigma20 and Sigma30 actuator plate models was optimised and the amount of material used reduced.

Waste

Waste occurs along Geberit’s entire value chain: during the manufacture of purchased raw materials, in connection with semi-finished and finished products, during transportation and production, as well as during the installation and use of products right through to their ultimate disposal when a building is renovated or dismantled.

The influence on production waste at suppliers is limited. However, by complying with the Code of Conduct for Suppliers, suppliers undertake to reduce the quantity of waste they produce. The company has greater control over packaging waste generated during the delivery of raw materials and semi-finished products. For example, agreements can stipulate that reusable packaging is used instead of disposable packaging, or that silo deliveries are made rather than supplying goods in sacks.

The greatest leverage for reducing waste can be found in production. According to the corporate life cycle assessment, waste disposal in production accounted for 2.7% of the overall environmental impact. Since the reference year 2015, Geberit has been able to reduce production waste by 26%, see figure:

Waste is strictly minimised at the production plants. The priority is on avoidance and reduction, followed by sorting and recycling, either internally or externally. If this is not possible, waste is used for energy recovery in incineration plants or disposed of in an inert waste landfill. Hazardous waste requiring special treatment is avoided wherever possible, as is waste destined for mixed waste landfills. As part of a circular economy approach, efforts are being made to use waste as by-products for other processes. The quantity and type of waste generated depends to a large degree on the relevant production process. The most important production processes at Geberit are:

1. Plastics processing (injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion): Primarily generates plastic waste, most of which is recycled internally, either directly at the machine or via a mill. The proportion depends on the manufacturing process, see Resources and circular economy > Recycling.
2. Metalworking (bending, stamping, drilling, welding, forming): Primarily generates metal waste, which is recycled externally, as well as lubricating oils and emulsions.
3. Manufacture of bathroom furniture: Primarily generates wood waste that can be recycled externally.
4. Ceramic production: This process generates the largest volume of waste, including fired ceramic appliances, mineral sludge and plaster. Options for reuse are being explored, such as using fired ceramic in brick or road construction. Modern facilities, such as high-pressure casting systems, help reduce raw material consumption and plaster waste. In 2024, 6,200 tonnes of plaster were delivered to the cement industry, which reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Geberit also aims to minimise the volume of packaging waste for customers, see Resources and circular economy > Reuse of products and packaging materials.

Construction site waste arises during the installation of various products, such as pipe sections, protective caps, pressing indicators or parts of prewall systems. This waste is disposed of by the plumber or by waste management at the construction site. Since 2021, the FlowFit supply system has allowed Geberit to offer the possibility of returning protective caps and pressing indicators for further use.

Very little waste is generated during product use, as the products are durable, low-maintenance and easy to repair. Typical waste includes used filters, batteries or defective components.

Renovation generates waste that is often difficult to recycle, such as calcified pipes or composite components. Used electrical equipment is taken back in accordance with the WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).

Product disposal occurs locally, and quantities are not recorded centrally.

Key figures waste

The total volume of waste (including external recycling) amounted to 61,789 tonnes in 2024, of which 78.7% was recycled (previous year 75.8%). 21.3% was disposed of in a landfill or incinerated.

The total amount includes 1,478 tonnes (previous year 1,227 tonnes) of hazardous waste, of which 43% (previous year 48%) was disposed of by incineration and 57% (previous year 52%) was able to be recycled.

Key figures concerning waste by category are provided at Tables of key figures > Environmental matters.