Sustainability
Montanstahl acknowledges the fact that our actions, from small to large-scale, have an immediate impact on the environment and the people around us as well as long-term consequences for future generations. It is therefore very important to us to conduct our business in a sustainable manner, encompassing everything from quality of our products, to employee’s safety to safeguarding the environment.
Let’s start by saying that here at Montanstahl we produce steel and stainless steel profiles, both of which are 100% recyclable materials. Furthermore stainless steel, which is the main material we work with, is a long-lasting product that requires very little maintenance, making it extremely environmentally friendly to work with.
Our sustainability roadmap
The 2016 → 2030 journey
For Montanstahl, sustainability is not a recent campaign. It is a commitment formally registered in 2016 with the Swiss Energy Agency for the Economy, structured as a binding decarbonisation pathway and certified annually since. The plan addresses Scope 1 emissions (direct, from our processes) and Scope 2 emissions (indirect, from purchased energy). Each milestone is accompanied by a public certificate, available below for download.
Commitment registered
Voluntary agreement signed with the Swiss Energy Agency for the Economy. Baseline measurement of Scope 1 & 2 emissions established for the Stabio plant. First annual reduction certificate issued.
Energy switch & process optimisation
Passage de l’ensemble des activités suisses à l’électricité hydroélectrique européenne certifiée. Modernisation progressive des lignes de soudage au laser et de finition, axée sur la réduction de l’intensité énergétique par tonne produite.
External validation
EcoVadis Silver Medal awarded, placing Montanstahl among the top-performing companies assessed. IntegrityNext positive sustainability rating issued, confirming responsible business practices across the supply chain. Complete elimination of gas use in processes (100% electric processes)
On-site solar generation & CBAM positioning
A 1,500-panel photovoltaic system commissioned on the roof of one of our production halls, with peak output up to 1 MWh. The plant directly offsets daytime manufacturing demand, complementing the hydroelectric supply already in place. Swiss provenance is confirmed as exempt from the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), removing an indirect emissions cost for our European customers.
Carbon neutral · Scope 1 & 2
Final target. Full carbon neutrality across direct operations and purchased energy. Scope 3 reduction work continues beyond this milestone.
Why manufacturing here makes a measurable difference
The Swiss edge
Geography matters in the carbon balance of a steel profile. Producing in Switzerland, and specifically in the Canton of Ticino, gives Montanstahl three structural advantages that no logistical effort elsewhere can fully replicate.
Measured, declared, comparable
Carbon performance
Our carbon figures are calculated following EN 15804+A2 product category rules. Two scopes are published: A1–A3 (cradle-to-gate) and A3 only (Montanstahl’s own manufacturing footprint, our transformation share).
| INDICATOR | CARBON STEEL | STAINLESS STEEL |
|---|---|---|
| Average recycled content | 68% EAF route, scrap-fed | 55% AOD/VOD refining |
| CO₂e | cradle-to-gate (A1–A3) | 1.6 kg per kg of profile | 5.1 kg per kg of profile |
| CO₂e | Montanstahl share (A3) | 0.04 kg per kg processed | 0.08 kg per kg processed |
| End-of-life recovery | ~95% recyclable | ~95% globally recovered |
Independently verified, not self-declared
Audits & ratings
Every claim on this page is backed by a third-party document. Our CO₂ reduction certificates are issued under the Swiss Energy Agency for the Economy programme, and our broader ESG performance is assessed annually by leading rating platforms.
EcoVadis – Silver Medal
Top-performing tier in environment, labour, ethics and sustainable procurement.
IntegrityNext
Positive sustainability rating, with full supply-chain ESG disclosure.
Documentation for the specifying community
EPDs & standards
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are the primary instrument for embodied carbon reporting in modern building specification. Ours are third-party verified and structured for direct use in BREEAM, LEED and DGNB submissions.
Standards we follow
EN 15804: 2012+A2:2019 product category rule
ISO 14040 / 14044: LCA principles & requirement
BREEAM: Mat 01, Mat 05 ready
LEED v4.1: MR Credit compatible
DGNB: compatible with German green building schemesble
Module coverage
A1–A3 Materials & manufacturing (cradle-to-gate)
C1–C4 End-of-life stage
D Recyclability credit (beyond system boundary)
Available for structural carbon profiles, stainless architectural profiles (304 / 316 / duplex), custom fabricated and special sections.