Value-driven management – responsibility as a strategic compass

For 130 years, HOERBIGER has combined economic success with a strong sense of responsibility. As a family-owned company, sustainable business practices are deeply rooted in its corporate culture. The goal is to support customers with efficient, climate-friendly solutions, fulfill social responsibilities, and ensure the highest standards of compliance and governance. In 2025, HOERBIGER implemented measures to reduce energy consumption at several locations worldwide and significantly strengthened its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Progress for climate and energy efficiency
With its Emission Recovery System (ERS), HOERBIGER is making further strides in climate protection, thereby expanding its already extensive portfolio of products and services. This includes, among other things, the HydroCOM capacity control system for compressors, emission control systems (ECP), and service offerings such as the REE (Reliable, Efficient, Environmental) audit. Based on the company’s proprietary conical-screw technology, the ERS recovers natural gas that escapes from compressor seals and feeds it back into the process – gas that would otherwise be flared or released into the atmosphere. The ERS is currently in the field-testing phase. Six units are in operation in applications such as natural gas and biogas production, pipelines, storage, and LNG regasification, and have collectively achieved more than 10,000 operating hours. The amount of methane recovered corresponds to a carbon footprint of approximately 930 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 600 average households. Market acceptance is also growing. Following the sale of six ERS units to a North American customer, HOERBIGER has received its first order in Europe. The next step will be the start of type testing for certification in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

HOERBIGER consistently invests in solar energy and measures to reduce energy consumption worldwide. Several locations rely on photovoltaic systems. In Pune, India, the in-house solar power plant covers more than 50% of the production facility’s energy needs; in Changzhou, China, a solar power plant generates over 20% of the electricity demand; in Vienna, Austria, a photovoltaic system supports the plant’s electricity supply; and in Bologna, Italy, solar panels already cover around 72% of consumption. These initiatives significantly reduce energy consumption and make an important contribution to the company’s global climate goals. By 2030, HOERBIGER aims to reduce emissions from its own business operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 50% compared to the base year 2022.

Responsibility toward people and society
A global employee survey conducted in 2025 confirmed their commitment with a score of 89% – well above the industry average. With 84 nationalities, HOERBIGER is committed to diversity, and more than 145 apprentices and interns in 14 countries underscore the importance of education and training. Approximately 2.5 million euros were invested in training in 2025; about half of the employees actively use the internal learning platform.

HOERBIGER is also stepping up its social engagement. Each year, the company allocates a specific portion of its after-tax profits to social projects. In 2025, more than one million euros was allocated to 81 projects – including support for SOS Children’s Villages and local initiatives such as the partnership with Caritas in Vienna. Another example is the school project in Pune, India, which has been supported in partnership with the NGO Caring Hands since 2023. The school provides a safe learning environment for over 70 children; HOERBIGER funds the expansion and ensures ongoing operations. Local management and employees also volunteer their time, thereby directly shaping the development of the facility. For 22 years, HOERBIGER has also supported the “Jugend forscht” competition in Germany as a patron and sponsor, thereby contributing to the promotion of young scientific talent – most recently with 35 projects and 54 participants, who once again impressively demonstrated the potential of the next generation of scientists in 2026.

The global initiative HOERBIGER moves is setting another example. In 2025, employees around the world took 692 million steps over 45 days – enough to circle the Earth more than 13 times. This campaign raised over 100,000 euros in donations, which will benefit projects for sick children, the elderly, educational institutions, and other social organizations.

Reliable structures for sustainable action
Responsible corporate governance is an essential part of HOERBIGER’s identity. Although the holding company is not publicly traded, the company voluntarily adheres to the corporate governance principles that apply to publicly traded companies in Switzerland. ESG is a regular agenda item for the Executive Board, ranging from investment decisions and business plans to M&A projects.

This is overseen by the Group Head of Sustainability, who reports directly to the CEO and coordinates a global network of subject matter experts. In addition, the divisions and business units regularly fulfill external reporting requirements for sustainability ratings such as CDP or EcoVadis. At the same time, HOERBIGER is working to further professionalize its ESG reporting, harmonize processes, and ensure globally consistent reporting in line with upcoming international standards.