SEAT S.A. has placed sustainability at the core of its corporate strategy and transformation journey. Since 2010, the company has achieved remarkable reductions in its environmental footprint, cutting carbon emissions by 69%, energy consumption by 33%, and water use by 45%. These achievements are part of SEAT S.A.’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) excellence.
In a recent milestone, SEAT S.A. initiated the construction of the SEAT al Sol 2 solar plant and launched the Volkswagen Group’s first electric paint drying oven in Martorell. In 2023, the company also introduced its most comprehensive package of diversity and inclusion measures to date.
Unprecedented Sustainability Milestones
SEAT S.A. recorded its best-ever sustainability performance in 2023, reflecting the success of its strategic ESG initiatives. The company has reduced the environmental impact of its facilities in Martorell, Barcelona, and El Prat by 53% since 2010 through enhanced production processes. Alongside these environmental efforts, SEAT S.A. has implemented wellness and diversity programs, positively impacting its entire workforce and reinforcing its governance framework.
“Sustainability is a key pillar of SEAT S.A.’s corporate strategy and is at the heart of our transformation towards electrification,” stated Markus Haupt, Executive Vice-President for Production and Logistics at SEAT S.A. “Our goal to reduce the environmental impact of production by 50% by 2025 has been achieved ahead of schedule. We now aim for carbon neutrality across our facilities by 2040, aligning with the Volkswagen Group’s strategy.”
Reducing Environmental Impact
SEAT S.A. has made significant strides in minimizing the environmental impact of its operations. By 2010, the company began monitoring key metrics to understand and reduce its environmental footprint. These efforts have yielded historic results in five key production indicators, as defined by the Volkswagen Group, reducing the environmental impact of its Martorell, Barcelona, and El Prat sites by over half.
Energy consumption has been cut by 33% since 2010 through efficiency measures and process improvements. Since 2012, all electricity used has been sourced from 100% renewable energy. The company has also reduced carbon emissions by 69% since 2010, in line with Volkswagen Group’s decarbonization targets, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2040 and across the entire company by 2050.
Water conservation has been another priority, particularly in light of recent droughts in Catalonia. SEAT S.A. has reduced water consumption per vehicle produced by 45% since 2010 through process optimization and the adoption of efficient technologies, promoting water recirculation.
The company has also focused on reducing waste and solvent emissions, achieving reductions of 78% and 45%, respectively, since 2010.
Innovative Sustainability Projects
SEAT S.A. is committed to ongoing sustainability improvements with both short- and long-term impacts. The recent SEAT al Sol 2 project will feature 39,000 solar panels across 233,000 square meters in Martorell, El Prat, and Barcelona, generating 29 GWh annually and tripling the company’s renewable energy capacity.
In Martorell, SEAT S.A. has introduced the Volkswagen Group’s first fully electric paint drying oven. This highly efficient system minimizes heat loss, cuts energy consumption by 25%, and reduces CO2 emissions by 2,500 tonnes annually, equivalent to removing 550 combustion cars from the road for a year. This project is funded by the European Union’s Next Generation EU program through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.
Fostering a People-Centric Culture
People are at the heart of SEAT S.A.’s strategy. In 2023, the company approved a new Equality Plan with over 60 measures to enhance diversity and inclusion. This plan includes a new protocol to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination based on sex, gender orientation, identity, and expression.
SEAT S.A. also prioritizes employee well-being through initiatives such as the CARS (Health Care and Rehabilitation Centre) and a comprehensive mental health plan. In 2023, the company conducted over 159,000 health activities and achieved its lowest accident rate in history for the second consecutive year.
SEAT S.A. has bolstered its leadership in sustainability through the Future: Fast Forward training program, offering over 100,000 hours of training to equip its workforce with essential skills for future challenges. The goal is to provide 500,000 hours of training to all staff as part of the company’s ongoing transformation.
