Meeting the growing global market for household appliances without increasing environmental impact requires us to further optimize product performance and make better use of resources.

Lead in energy and resource-efficient solutions

We are creating ever more efficient, high-performance appliances, which help consumers to live better lives, save money and reduce their environmental footprint.

Our Goal

Electrolux will continuously improve the energy and water performance of our appliances, raising the bar for product efficiency around the world.

2022 highlights

  • In 2022, our resource-efficient products accounted for 24% of our total units sold but 39% of gross profit.
  • Scope 3 emissions as defined in our science-based target decreased by more than 25% compared to 2015.

Roadmap to 2030

  • Be a leader in product resource efficiency for key product categories and markets by 2030.
  • Continue to develop products with good environmental performance, with a focus on energy and water efficiency.
  • Continue to drive the market for efficient products by integrating sustainability into the Group’s branded offerings.

The case for action

Tackling climate change by reducing carbon emissions is one of the greatest, most urgent challenges facing society. Energy efficient appliances can help to save energy and thus reduce carbon emissions.

As product energy use is responsible for around 85% of our climate impact, product energy efficiency is where we can make our greatest contribution to tackling climate change.

According to UNESCO, 3.6 billion people currently live in areas that experience water scarcity at least one month a year, and predict this figure will increase to six billion by 20501). Water efficient appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines can contribute to significant water savings.

Read more about our progress on this Goal

1) UNESCO (2018). World Water Development Report 2018.

2) Which? (2020). Which? research reveals how little water dishwashers use compared to hand-washing.

 

Offer circular products and business solutions

Electrolux will proactively contribute toward the circular economy by integrating a circular approach into its products and solutions.

Our Goal

We will contribute to the circular economy by integrating recycled materials into our product platforms, promoting recyclability, using more sustainable packaging solutions, increasing the availability of spare parts to repair our products, and developing circular business solutions.

2022 highlights

  • New targets for using recycled steel in our products.
  • Launch of a new built-in refrigerator range with inner liners made from 70% recycled plastic.
  • Launched the “Levande” subscription platform in Singapore to optimize the life cycle of appliances and reduce e-waste.
  • Broadened our long-term partnership with Stena Recycling to include more product categories.

Roadmap to 2030

  • Where possible, replace virgin materials with recycled materials in our products.
  • Increase the proportion of recycled plastic we use to 50% by 2030.
  • Reduce the carbon footprint of steel in our production, for example by increasing the amount of scrap-based steel.
  • Identify and evaluate relevant circular business models that can be scaled up.

The case for action

Electrolux has an important role to play in enabling people to live more circular lives through its products and solutions. In this way, we can help overcome population and resource challenges while meeting the need for a more circular and low-carbon society.

Population growth and raw materials

As the global middle class continues to grow1), the demand for material resources, such as steel, plastic and electronic components, will increase. At the same time, many industries are based on virgin materials that are non-renewable and fossil based. For example, more than 400 million metric tons of plastic are produced globally each year and only about 12% comes from recycled materials.2) However, there are opportunities to source materials with recycled content, and even bio-based materials from renewable sources.

Sources:

1)  European Commission, Competence Centre on Foresight
2) OECD Environment Policy Paper no. 12, 2018

The need for a circular economy

According to the 2022 Circularity Gap Report by Circle Economy, only 8.6% of the resources used globally are cycled back into the economy after use. This compares to 9.1% in 2019. The report stresses the need for a circular economy that makes better use of resources to prevent further and accelerated environmental degradation and social inequality.

Consumers are increasingly demanding more circular products and solutions. This includes everything from recycled materials incorporated into our products and more sustainable packaging, to solutions that enable them to extend the lifespan of their products. Our own research has shown that consumers perceive products containing recycled plastics to be more innovative, premium, high quality and sustainable.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Virgin materials cause considerable greenhouse gas emissions through their extraction and manufacture. For example, the emissions from the production of plastic in our products are approximately equivalent to the emissions from our operations and transport activities combined.

Recycled materials on the other hand can have substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions. This means that increasing the amount of high-quality recycled materials in our products can make an important contribution to combating climate change. Steel is the largest material we use by volume and is an even greater source of CO2 emissions than plastic. By sourcing scrap-based steel, we can make a significant reduction in our CO2 footprint from materials.

Emissions can also be reduced by extending the useful lifespan of our products. This can be achieved through promoting more circular business models or providing aftermarket services that ultimately make better use of resources.

Read more about our progress on this Goal

 

Eliminate harmful materials

Our consumers can feel reassured that we manage chemicals carefully and replace those that cause concern.

Our Goal

Electrolux will protect people and the environment by managing chemicals carefully and continuing to replace those that cause concern.

2022 highlights

  • In 2022, we tested 4,000 components for chemical compliance according to legislation and the Electrolux Group Restricted Materials List.
  • We updated our in-house digital system for chemical compliance to deal with new regulations on chemicals.
  • In North America, we converted all our hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in refrigeration appliances to hydrocarbons.
  • Global ban implemented on the use of hydrofluoroolefin (HFO).
  • Global restriction introduced on the use of biocides/pesticides.

Roadmap to 2030

  • Implement a best-in-class global system for improving the control of chemicals throughout our complex supply chain and work with suppliers to replace chemicals of concern.
  • Raise the bar on chemical requirements, taking into account new scientific findings.
  • Eliminate high-impact greenhouse gases from our products.

The case for action

As the use of chemicals increases – including in the appliance industry – the impact of chemicals on people and the environment is high on our agenda.We want consumers to feel reassured that Electrolux has a robust approach to choosing materials for its products – to protect both human health and the environment. Consumers are raising their expectations on appliance companies such as Electrolux on the management of chemicals in products.

Phasing out the use of high-impact greenhouse gases is an important part of our approach to chemical management .

Read more about our progress on this Goal

 

Better company

We work continuously to be resource efficient and drive clean operations while driving a safe, diverse and ethical company – both in our own operations and throughout our value chain.

Better living

We aim to shape better and more sustainable living around the world by promoting better eating, better garment care and better home environment together with consumers and our partners.