According to data from the EU climate research service Copernicus, Europe is the continent that is warming the fastest. Accordingly, it is not only the responsibility but also the self-interest of the companies based here to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down the progress of climate change.

But how much effort are individual companies actually putting in, and what achievements can they demonstrate? To answer these questions, the Financial Times and Statista annually evaluate the environmental performance of around 2,000 companies. The results for 2025 were published at the end of April. The good news for Krones: we have made it onto the list of Europe’s Climate Leaders for the third time in a row.

More points than last year

Out of a possible 100 points, we achieved a total of 74.2, compared to 72.1 in the previous year. Within the “Machinery and Industrial Equipment” category, we ranked 13th out of a total of 40.

The “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2025” are those companies that

• achieved the greatest reduction in their core emissions intensity – i.e. their Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions in relation to turnover – between 2018 and 2023,
• can demonstrate transparent reporting of their Scope 3 emissions and
• pursue a net zero emissions target.

In the case of Krones, all three points can be marked with a green tick. For example, we have already reduced our own greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 51.7 percent since 2019. We report our Scope 3 emissions – and many other key sustainability figures – annually in our Non-financial Statement. The Krones Group has also committed to a net zero target: This has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and aims to reduce 90 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain by 2040.

Refurbished laptops, phones or cameras: Many of us know them from advertisements or might even own such a device ourselves. Refurbished products – that is, used products which are professionally reprocessed – are the more economical and more sustainable choice compared to their brand-new counterparts.

Refurbishment not only works well for consumer electronics, but also for spare parts in mechanical engineering. The proof: Recently, Krones Lifecycle Service has started offering refurbished spare parts alongside new ones. “By giving existing materials a second life, we reduce our carbon footprint, contribute to responsible resource management, and offer our customers cost-effective alternatives to new parts,” says Shannon Kerscher from Krones Lifecycle Service. And these are by no means inferior to new parts, as Kerscher continues: “Our refurbished parts undergo a comprehensive refurbishment process, which includes strict quality controls and tests. This ensures that they meet the same standards as new parts and offer the same warranty.”

The advantage for our customers? A price saving of up to 40 percent compared to a new part and an eco-friendly product. Furthermore, the refurbishment of spare parts enables quick provision and availability of refurbished parts. This allows Krones to minimise delivery times, so downtimes at our customers’ sites can be kept as short as possible. “Our extensive portfolio includes reconditioned components in the fields of drive technology, electronics, mechanics and pneumatics,” says Shannon Kerscher. “And we are working continuously on expanding our range.”

As the pictures show: After careful reprocessing, the refurbished parts are as ready for use and reliable as their brand-new counterparts.