UZIN UTZ receives Environmental Management Award 2021

On 23 November, UZIN UTZ was honoured with the German Environmental Management Award 2021 in the category "Best Measure Climate Protection". The prize was offered for the first time on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment. UZIN UTZ reached the top of the winner's podium with its biomass balance approach and was awarded at the hybrid conference by the Federal Ministry for the Environment in Berlin. The award was given to players who achieve outstanding results in climate and environmental protection as well as in environmental communication.

For many years, UZIN UTZ has been focused on creating value not only for its customers and itself, but also for future generations. This mindset has shaped its behaviour, not only in economic terms, but also towards the environment and society. With the use of biomass-based binders from BASF, the family-owned company underlines its conviction and continues to push the issue of climate protection. The company-wide goal within the framework of the strategy PASSION 2025 is to reduce climate-damaging emissions by 25%.

Use of biomass-based binders

Since May 2021, UZIN UTZ has been using biomass-based binders, thereby reducing CO2 emissions on the raw material side by approximately 3,000 tonnes per year. This is made possible by the biomass balance (BMB) approach. In BASF SE's production association, biobased raw materials are fed into the production process at the beginning and mathematically allocated to the end products. In this way, the proportion of binders based on renewable raw materials in UZIN UTZ's laying systems is successively increased, which conserves fossil resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Product quality and properties remain at the same high level for the installer. Neither formulations nor equipment or processes have to be adapted. "Together with our suppliers, we are actively driving forward the use of bio-based raw materials," said Philipp Utz, member of the board at UZIN UTZ, at the award ceremony. "By receiving the Environmental Management Award 2021, we underline the importance of sustainability for the entire value chain and at the same time thank BASF, without whom the whole thing would not even be possible," Philipp Utz continued. Product innovations and top quality have been the most important value drivers for years, along with partnership-based cooperation with suppliers, and are decisive for success.

The Environmental Management Award 2021

For the first time, the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), the Association for Sustainability and Environmental Management e. V. (VNU) and the Environmental Verification Committee (UGA) are awarding the German Environmental Management Award to companies and organisations for outstanding achievements in climate and environmental protection as well as in environmental communication.