Sustainability in numbers
At Kärcher, we see the bigger picture. We rely on the strategic aims of several years for the entire corporate group, in order to realise our sustainability vision. We document the achievement of these goals in our sustainability report.
Kärcher Group Sustainability Report
Responsibility is an essential part of the corporate culture at Kärcher from the beginning – with sustainable company development focused on people and the environment. Our economic success is based on long-term strategies. This is also the case when it comes to sustainability.
This sustainability report contains Kärcher’s key figures, targets and activities.
CLIMATE PROTECTION
Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG commits to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions 42% by 2030 from a 2020 base year.* Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG also commits to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services and use of sold products 51.6% per thousand EUR value added by 2030 from a 2022 base year. Our target has been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and can be found on the SBTi Target Dashboard. This catalogue shows the specific internal measures we are undertaking to meet these targets.
The information on the calculation and verification of our emissions is included in our emissions report 2024.
*The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.
RECALCULATION POLICY
In 2025, the Scope 3, Category 1 base year and subsequent annual emissions were recalculated to incorporate country-specific emission factors and to correct significant errors. This recalculation did not impact our existing emissions reduction target.
Target progress 2020-2025 (Scope 1 & 2)
Target progress 2022-2025 (Scope 3)
Development Scope 1 & 2 share
Sources of GHG Emissions (Scope 1 & 2) in 2025
Categories of Scope 3 Emissions in 2025*
Absolute Emissions of Scope 3 Main Categories
*Scope 3 categories 8,10 are 14 not applicable to Kärcher. Kärcher does not operate leased assets (3.8), does not sell intermediary products (3.10) or does it operate a franchise model (3.14)
80 %
proportion of recycled paper in paper-based sales packaging
More than 85.000 boxes
from regranulate at the plant in Romania since 2022
100% recycled plastic
used for the 1.0-litre containers of cleaning agents (excluding lids and labels)
More than 800 tonnes
of plastic in packaging reduced in total compared to 2020
> 3.765 tonnes
of plastic granulate used in products
PRODUCTS
Long life for Kärcher appliances
We consistently take environmental aspects such as resource efficiency and recyclability into account right from the product design stage. But even during the usage phase, it is important to us that Kärcher appliances have a long service life and do not create unnecessary waste.
Kärcher therefore makes repairability a consistent principle. While new EU regulations set standards, the company demonstrates how durable products and innovative business models complement each other.
Repair instead of throwing away: how Kärcher appliances get a second life
‘It's as easy as ordering a pizza,’ says Sarah Lang, Senior Business Consultant Aftermarket & Services at Kärcher, explaining the digital repair process for home and garden appliances. The well-designed system guides customers through the entire repair process. It all starts on the Kärcher website: after logging into the “my Kärcher” customer portal, users enter their appliance details and select from a list of typical fault descriptions. They receive practical tips for troubleshooting – sometimes a supposed defect can be fixed with a few simple steps.
Read more
SUPPLY CHAIN
Our close cooperation with suppliers is crucial for Kärcher’s success. That’s why we want to be a trustworthy and reliable partner to our suppliers and their employees. This also includes taking responsibility for the protection of people and the environment in our supply chain. In light of this, we are continuously further developing our corporate due diligence in the supply chain
Our path to a sustainable supply chain
Sustainability plays a hugely important role at Kärcher – and not just within our own company. We also value environmentally friendly activities, long-term relationships, strict welfare standards and high levels of transparency throughout our supply chain.
PRODUCTION
Kärcher sites worldwide
Rooted in Germany – active all over the world: Kärcher produces and sells its products around the globe. The map provides an overview of our worldwide production and logistics sites as well as the 87 countries with sales and service sites.
Production and logistics sites
Germany
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Winnenden (Headquarters)
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Winnenden (Factory)
9001:2015 (Quality)
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14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Servicecenter Ahorn
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Obersontheim (Factory)
9001:2015 (Quality)
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14001:2015 (Environment)
•
50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Obersontheim (Logistic Centre)
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Bühlertal
9001:2015 (Quality)
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14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Schwaikheim
9001:2015 (Quality)
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14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Waldstetten
9001:2015 (Quality)
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14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Duisburg
9001:2015 (Quality)
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14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Reutlingen
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Stadthagen
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Italy
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Correggio / Reggio Emilia
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
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Production and logistics sites
Quistello
9001:2015 (Quality)
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14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
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Production and logistics sites
Reggio Emilia
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
•
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
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Production and logistics sites
Romania
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Cuerta de Arges
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
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50001:2018 (Energy)
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45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
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Production and logistics sites
USA
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Aurora
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
•
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Blackwood (Logistic Centre)
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Fayetteville (Logistic Centre)
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Mexico
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Monterrey
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
•
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Brazil
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Vinhedo
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
•
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
China
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Changshu
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
•
50001:2018 (Energy)
•
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
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Production and logistics sites
Latvia
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Jelgavas Novads
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
•
50001:2018 (Energy)
•
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Vietnam
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Quang Nam
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
•
50001:2018 (Energy)
•
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
•
Production and logistics sites
India
9001:2015 (Quality)
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
Production and logistics sites
Coimbatore
9001:2015 (Quality)
•
14001:2015 (Environment)
50001:2018 (Energy)
45001:2018 (Occupational safety)
EMPLOYEES
Number of employees (headcount)
Sustainable HR management
Employees are an essential and decisive success factor for Kärcher and therefore a central pillar of the company. The overriding aim of our HR strategy is to ensure a competitive workforce structure with long-term prospects. To achieve this, Kärcher takes measures to create a positive working environment, promote employee development and retention and ensure a high level of employee satisfaction.
In order to evaluate the development of our employees and the impact of our measures on our overriding
aim, we collect meaningful key figures on the number of employees, training, staff turnover and occupational safety. Based on the figures collected for 2024, which are disclosed below, we will also formulate specific medium- to long-term targets for the four individual areas.
SOCIAL COMMITMENT
At Kärcher, we are aware of our social responsibility. That’s why we support non-profit initiatives and organisations that make a significant contribution to society and stand for values such as family, education and equal opportunities as well as the protection of the environment and resources. In all three areas – donations and sponsorship, long-term cooperation and employee commitment – we take our role as a social stakeholder seriously and are therefore dedicated to preserving values, whether social or ecological.
Bags of help in the war on plastic waste in the ocean
The littering of the world's oceans is an enormous problem. The non-governmental organisations One Earth-One Ocean and COMPED are actively confronting this problem and ridding Cambodia's waters of waste. And Kärcher is supporting them in their efforts.
Read on
Finally swapping buckets for schoolbooks
Through the "Clean Water for the World" initiative, the Global Nature Fund and Kärcher have pledged their commitment to improving water quality in emerging and developing nations. At a school in Burundi, a Kärcher water treatment product is now being put into action for the first time.
Read on
Cultural sponsorship
For more than 40 years, we have been committed to the preservation of historical monuments and buildings free of charge as a cleaning specialist. To date, Kärcher has demonstrated its experience and expertise in over 150 restoration projects worldwide.
Read on
