In order to underline the topicality and urgency of this issue, at the beginning of the 2021/22 business year we established a separate field of action in relation to sustainability, focusing on energy and decarbonisation.

The energy transition is the subject of much discussion, but it is more than just a buzzword: it is the start of our journey to a post-fossil, carbon-neutral future. This is why, as part of our efforts to achieve long-term reductions in our CO₂ emissions, AT&S seeks out opportunities to use green electricity in combination with climate-friendly production processes. This means improving our energy efficiency and using innovative methods to recover waste heat from production processes.

One of the most ambitious goals in the AT&S energy strategy is to source at least 80% of our Group-wide energy needs from renewable sources (including large-scale hydropower) by 2025. Another equally ambitious goal is to replace all fossil fuels within our own production facilities (Scope 1 emissions) worldwide in order to avoid directly emitting climate-damaging gases in our in-house operations.

We meet the highest quality standards and always strive to optimise our technologies and processes to reduce our environmental footprint.

The direction we have set has already been reflected in the figures. In the 2020/21 business year, renewables accounted for 45% of our energy consumption, increasing to 55.7% the following year. This is a clear trend that demonstrates a positive overall shift, even in the face of tough conditions. For one thing, electricity from renewable sources is still not easy to procure in Asia. With this in mind, the AT&S energy strategy remains a challenge for our entire company.

Given the urgency of the situation, we have established a separate field of action in relation to sustainability, focusing on energy and decarbonisation.

AT&S stands for high-quality products and takes the utmost care to consider their impact on ecosystems in our development and manufacturing processes. One of the fundamental preconditions for this is successful teamwork. Close, trusting collaboration between production specialists, customers and suppliers makes it possible to achieve continuous optimisation in this field and work together to reach new heights.

In order to establish a comprehensive circular economy that yields long-term success, innovations are essential in various areas, such as the resource-efficient use of raw materials. One of the most important raw materials in PCB production is copper – which is why AT&S initiated its copper recycling project. The programme’s aims include increasing resource efficiency and developing a closed cycle to ensure sparing use of copper resources and avoid producing hazardous waste.

Efficiency and closed cycles are also central topics in relation to water consumption. AT&S strives to continuously improve its water recycling rate. This is a particular priority at production sites in areas at acute risk of water shortages according to the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas. In the 2021/22 business year, the water recycling rate at the AT&S facility in Shanghai was already at 24%, while our Nanjangud site achieved a rate of 53%.

As a global company reliant on access to fresh water for large parts of its supply chain, we are acutely aware of our responsibility in relation to water management. Water is precious, which is why fresh water management is a crucial aspect of our sustainability strategy. In addition to sparing use of water and effective recycling rates, our strategy also includes conducting a risk assessment at each of our production facilities.

The next step is to record water volumes, main consumers and losses at individual locations and analyse these figures as the basis for efficient improvements. A pilot project at our Hinterberg site has already reached a successful conclusion.

Another vital point on the topic of the circular economy is waste. In addition to our efforts to avoid waste, wherever possible we close cycles through internal recycling processes and pass on any waste materials, depending on their classification, to disposal firms for recycling. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) provide vital information about a product’s environmental impacts. Comprehensive data from this field, combined with new innovations, enables us to improve our resource efficiency in relation to raw materials, water and waste.

Responsible, resource-conserving use of raw materials is a central topic. This is why AT&S initiated its copper recycling project.

People of all genders, generations, cultures and ethnicities are welcome at AT&S.

The AT&S family actively embraces diversity in all social and societal areas. After all, it is through diversity that our company is able to achieve top performance every day, underlining and expanding its ambition to become a global technology enterprise. People of all genders, generations, cultures and ethnicities are welcome at AT&S. Together, we form a vibrant and varied whole capable of overcoming any challenges that may arise in an increasingly complex world.

With this in mind, AT&S intentionally positions itself as an attractive employer. This means employing people of all ages, demonstrating the same appreciation for employees whatever their cultural or ethnic background, and providing a suitable working environment for people with physical or mental disabilities. As part of its commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all its employees, AT&S has signed up to the Austrian Diversity Charter.

Encouraging women to pursue careers in technology and increasing the proportion of women in leadership positions is a top priority for us.

AT&S is multinational and so is our workforce. Our success is thanks to our ability to offer the most talented minds in the field an environment in which they can realise their potential together.

Equal opportunities and inclusion, actively embracing diversity and promoting spirited collaboration is a recipe for long-term success that allows all employees to realise their full potential. AT&S therefore considers it essential to offer all employees intercultural training and language courses, facilitate their continuous development, and offer them a secure working environment that responds swiftly and efficiently to health-related challenges. After all, safety and protection, fair pay and professional development opportunities are basic requirements for long-term motivation and respectful cooperation.

AT&S is committed to the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA). We require our suppliers to make the same commitment in order to ensure that strict criteria regarding environmentally, economically and socially acceptable behaviour are implemented. When selecting companies to become our suppliers, AT&S not only considers economic factors but also puts non-financial criteria front and centre, such as upholding human rights, prohibiting child labour, and ensuring health and safety, environmental protection, anti-corruption and fair pay for workers.

Suppliers must also comply with the requirements of the REACH Regulation, which governs the responsible handling of chemical substances. In addition, AT&S is committed to the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) and adheres to the due diligence process for the responsible procurement of conflict minerals.

We therefore contact all our gold, tin and cobalt suppliers at regular intervals and if we have any reason to suspect wrongdoing. This process is supported by 100% of our suppliers, who provide the information required for RMI-compliant reporting.

Upholding human rights, prohibiting child labour, and ensuring environmental protection and anti-corruption are key criteria we apply when selecting suppliers.

Systematically monitoring the performance of our suppliers is decisive in establishing and maintaining long-term partnerships. We monitor our suppliers in line with an audit plan that covers general social and environmental aspects and often also addresses the issues of business ethics and human rights.

Sustainability criteria are also increasingly becoming a priority for our suppliers. AT&S provides support in the form of training courses and insists on quarterly business review meetings with the top management of each company to jointly assess their performance and coordinate on strategic direction, product development and innovation. Ultimately, our shared goal is to anchor ecological and social aspects even more firmly within supply chains and continue driving sustainability topics forward as a central part of the AT&S supply chain strategy.