SEAT S.A. Sets Sustainability Record in 2023: Innovates with Eco-Friendly Production and Diverse Workforce Initiatives
In 2023, SEAT S.A. achieved its most sustainable year, driven by strategic initiatives in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas. Thanks to improved production processes, SEAT S.A. has cut the environmental footprint of its Martorell, Barcelona, and El Prat facilities by 53% since 2010. Over the past year, the company also introduced wellness and diversity programmes that affected its entire workforce while strengthening its governance structure.
"Sustainability is at the core of SEAT S.A.'s business strategy and underscores our shift towards electrification," says Markus Haupt, Executive Vice-President for Production and Logistics at SEAT S.A. "Our target was to reduce the environmental impact of production by 50% by 2025, a goal we have already met. We aim for carbon neutrality at our facilities by 2040, which aligns with the Volkswagen Group's strategy."
SEAT S.A. has been diligently minimising the environmental impact of its operations. Since 2010, the company has monitored vital metrics to assess and refine its processes, achieving unprecedented results in key production indicators set by the Volkswagen Group. The environmental footprint at its centres in Martorell, Barcelona, and El Prat has more than halved.
Initially, SEAT S.A. reduced energy usage by 33% through efficiency and organisational enhancements, with all electricity coming from 100% renewable sources since 2012. Additionally, the company has reduced carbon emissions by 69% since 2010, setting the stage for achieving carbon neutrality in all facilities by 2040 and company-wide by 2050.
Water conservation has also been prioritised, especially amid Catalonia's severe drought. Since 2010, water usage per vehicle production at SEAT S.A.'s facilities has fallen by 45%, with ongoing efforts to install more efficient technologies and promote water recycling.
Since 2010, the company has also significantly reduced waste generation and solvent emissions by 78% and 45%, respectively.
SEAT S.A. continues to drive its sustainability agenda by launching impactful projects. The forthcoming SEAT al Sol 2 project, slated for 2025, will position 39,000 solar panels over 233,000 square metres in Martorell, El Prat, and Barcelona, tripling the company's capacity for renewable energy self-generation to 29 gigawatt-hours (GWh).
In 2023, SEAT S.A. began installing the Volkswagen Group’s first 100% electric paint-drying oven in Martorell, which has recently been operating. This innovation reduces energy consumption by 25% and cuts CO2 emissions by 2,500 tonnes annually, the equivalent of over 550 combustion cars running for a year. The project receives funding from the European Union's Next Generation E.U. funds through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.
At the heart of its strategy, SEAT S.A. focuses on people. In 2023, it approved a new Equality Plan with over 60 measures to enhance diversity and inclusion, including protocols against workplace harassment.
In healthcare, SEAT S.A. prioritises employee wellbeing through the CARS (Health Care and Rehabilitation Centre) and various mental health initiatives. Over 159,000 health activities were conducted last year, contributing to the lowest accident rate in the company's history for the second consecutive year.
In preparation for future challenges, SEAT S.A. has empowered its workforce through the Future: Fast Forward project, offering over 100,000 hours of training in 2023 to provide 500,000 to all staff as part of SEAT S.A.'s transformation.
