Dürr improves sustainability rating

Press Release Mar 25, 2020

Bietigheim-Bissingen, March 25, 2020 – The Dürr Group further improved its sustainability performance in 2019. This is the result of the new EcoVadis rating for the mechanical and plant engineering firm. The sustainability rating published in February shows a rise in the total score from 51 to 55 points. This means that, just as it did last year, the Dürr Group achieved a Silver medal and was in the top 25% of all companies rated by EcoVadis. The higher score is thanks to improvements in the labor and human rights category.

EcoVadis is a leading analysis firm for sustainability ratings. It measures the sustainability performance of companies on a scale from 0 to 100. A Gold medal is awarded from 66 points, while a Platinum medal requires at least 73 points. Only 1% of the companies rated currently have Platinum status. The rating takes into account a company’s performance in the categories of environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

Dürr AG is one of the world’s pioneers of sustainability-oriented financing. The EcoVadis rating plays a central role in this regard. Since mid-2019, the company has had a sustainability-oriented Schuldschein loan (€ 200 million) and a syndicated loan (€ 500 million); their interest rates are in part linked to the rating. If the EcoVadis rating increases to at least 62 points, the interest rates are reduced; a decrease in the rating to 40 points or less would lead to an interest rate rise. Dürr AG is the world’s first company to apply this mechanism to a Schuldschein loan.

In concrete terms, the EcoVadis rating increase is due to improvements in health and safety and mobile working. The good results the Dürr Group achieved in its employee survey, carried out in October 2019, were also taken into account. Says Dr. Jochen Weyrauch, responsible for the Corporate Sustainability function on the Dürr AG Board of Management: “Sustainability has become a key component of our strategy. Our customers see us as a supplier of low-consumption and low-emission production technology. Our shareholders and employees also expect – and rightly so – that we are committed to taking responsibility for the environment, society and employee matters.”

Press photos

Dr. Jochen Weyrauch portrait — **Dr. Jochen Weyrauch**
Deputy CEO of Dürr AG

EcoPaintJet system applying sharp paint lines — **EcoPaintJet**
Overspray-free paint application is particularly suitable for two-tone painting and customized vehicle painting. It enables paint to be applied in bands with millimeter-precision and without any wastage, i.e. without producing any overspray. The paint is applied in a single step, without any intermediate drying or laborious masking. This saves time and energy and prevents wastage.

sharp paint lines — **EcoPaintJet**
Overspray-free paint application is particularly suitable for two-tone painting and customized vehicle painting. It enables paint to be applied in bands with millimeter-precision and without any wastage, i.e. without producing any overspray. The paint is applied in a single step, without any intermediate drying or laborious masking. This saves time and energy and prevents wastage.

Ecopure industrial exhaust-air purification system — Manufacturing processes can produce exhaust gases and vapors that harm the environment if not treated. With over 10,000 installed systems, the Dürr Group is the world market leader in industrial exhaust-air purification technology.

About Dürr

The Dürr Group is one of the world's leading mechanical and plant engineering firms with extensive expertise in automation and digitalization/Industry 4.0. Its products, systems and services enable highly efficient manufacturing processes in different industries. The Dürr Group supplies sectors like the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, chemical, pharmaceutical and woodworking industries. It generated sales of € 3.92 billion in 2019. The company has around 16,500 employees and 112 business locations in 34 countries. The Group operates in the market with the brands Dürr, Schenck and HOMAG and with five divisions:

Paint and Final Assembly Systems: paint shops as well as final assembly, testing and filling technology for the automotive industry
Application Technology: robot technologies for the automated application of paint, sealants and adhesives
Clean Technology Systems: air pollution control, noise abatement systems and coating systems for battery electrodes
Measuring and Process Systems: balancing equipment and diagnostic technology
Woodworking Machinery and Systems: machinery and equipment for the woodworking industry

Disclaimer

This publication has been prepared independently by Dürr AG/Dürr group (“Dürr”). It may contain statements which address such key issues as strategy, future financial results, events, competitive positions and product developments. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to those described in Dürr's disclosures, in particular in the chapter “Risks” in Dürr's annual report. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties and other factors materialize, or should underlying expectations not occur or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performances or achievements of Dürr may vary materially from those described in the relevant forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by words such as “expect,” “want,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “will,” “project” or words of similar meaning. Dürr neither intends, nor assumes any obligation, to update or revise its forward-looking statements regularly in light of developments which differ from those anticipated. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies.

Our financial reports, presentations, press releases and ad-hoc releases may include alternative financial metrics. These metrics are not defined in the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards). Dürr's net assets, financial position and results of operations should not be assessed solely on the basis of these alternative financial metrics. Under no circumstances do they replace the performance indicators presented in the consolidated financial statements and calculated in accordance with the IFRS. The calculation of alternative financial metrics may vary from company to company despite the use of the same terminology. Further information regarding the alternative financial metrics used at Dürr can be found in our → financial glossary.

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