Konecranes wins the 2024 German Sustainability Award for Lifting and Handling Technology

• Konecranes impresses with electrification, increased efficiency and contributions to a circular economy

Konecranes has won the 2024 German Sustainability Award in the Lifting and Handling Technology category. The prestigious award is for climate action achievements in Germany and globally, with Konecranes one of only 20 corporate winners chosen from a list of some 6,000 companies competing across multiple categories.

The award is based on the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, with a focus on fields where there is great need for action. It also supports the goals of the German government's sustainability strategy, which has prioritized action for the climate, nature, resources, supply chain and society.

“Sustainability including climate action is at the core of our strategy and firmly anchored in Konecranes’ DNA. We are humbled to win this award, which marks further recognition of the effort we have invested in recent years to make a clear and lasting positive impact on the climate and environment. We will use this recognition as motivation to continue on this successful path,” says Anniina Virta-Toikka, Head of Sustainability at Konecranes.

Konecranes is committed to having carbon neutral own operations by 2030, and in the value chain aims to reduce absolute emissions by 50% by 2030, including the purchase of steel and the use of products sold. These goals are part of Konecranes’ broader effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C – they have been confirmed by the Science-Based Target Initiative – with each of its three business segments making important contributions:

• By 2026, Port Solutions will electrify its full product offering. As an example, its mobile harbor cranes developed and manufactured in Düsseldorf can operate via the port power grid or by battery, and also have regenerative braking, which sends power back to a crane's power grid during every downward or decelerated motion. Port Solutions locations in Germany working on electrification are in Düsseldorf and Würzburg.

• In Industrial Equipment, the focus is on increasing efficiency, extending the life cycle and further developing energy efficiency and material selection of industrial cranes and hoists, among other areas. Locations in Germany are in Wetter and Uslar.

• Through maintenance, servicing, upgrades and re-manufacturing (repairing cranes and components to almost-new condition), Services contributes to the longer and more efficient use of industrial cranes and hoists. Long-term use and subsequent recycling are an essential part of circular processes that reduce waste and emissions. Services operates offices close to customers in all regions of Germany. Work is currently underway to electrify the service car fleet.

A global leader in material handling solutions, Konecranes employs around 3,500 people in Germany at its production sites in Wetter and Düsseldorf, among others, and serves customers throughout the country with service and sales. Konecranes’ activities in Germany are integrated into global sustainability management.

The German Sustainability Award is awarded by the German Sustainability Award Foundation in cooperation with the Federal Government, the German Council for Sustainable Development, municipal umbrella associations, business associations, civil society organizations and research institutions. It recognizes groundbreaking steps towards a sustainable future in five areas: Companies, New Economy, Architecture/Construction, Corporate Cooperations and Sports.

Further information:
Britta Schweiger, Head of Communications, Germany
[email protected]

Konecranes Media Desk
[email protected]

Konecranes is a global leader in material handling solutions, serving a broad range of customers across multiple industries. We consistently set the industry benchmark, from everyday improvements to the breakthroughs at moments that matter most, because we know we can always find a safer, more productive and sustainable way. That’s why, with around 16,500 professionals in over 50 countries, Konecranes is trusted every day to lift, handle and move what the world needs. In 2022, Group sales totalled EUR 3.4 billion. Konecranes shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (symbol: KCR).