Acting now. Sustainability@ZF Acting now. Sustainability@ZF

Acting now.

Sustainability@ZF

Sustainability at ZF: Goals and Actions

Sustainability is an integral part of ZF Group strategy. One of the goals is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across all scopes by 2040. However, sustainability means far more to us than climate protection. In addition to climate and nature, we focus on the dimensions of people and lasting values. We bundle our global sustainability activities under the motto Acting now. Sustainability@ZF.

Sustainability @ ZF Sustainability @ ZF

Climate and Nature

Acting for Climate and Nature

  • Climate action
  • Sustainable and circular products
    and operations

Acting for climate and nature

People

Acting for all People

  • Employee development and diversity
  • Keeping ​people safe
  • Human Rights and working conditions

Acting for all people

Lasting Values

Acting for lasting Values

  • Responsible behavior across ​the business
  • Long-term ​value creation ​and resilience

Acting for lasting values

Positive Track Record

Sustainability – A Key Success Factor

Dr. Michael Karrer, Senior Vice President Sustainability & EHS at ZF, talks about recent sustainability achievements as well as the priorities for this year.

In our short video, you will learn how ZF has purposefully advanced its sustainability strategy and made significant progress across all three dimensions – environment, people, and governance. Dr. Michael Karrer highlights key milestones, including substantially reduced emissions through the use of electricity from renewable sources and improved occupational health and safety. ZF also embraces its responsibility within the supply chain and is integrating sustainability even more deeply into its products and processes.

Annual Report 2025 Sustainability

Annual Report 2025: Sustainability

Find out more about our progress on sustainability in the current Sustainability Report, which is part of the ZF Annual Report. When preparing the Sustainability Report 2025, we voluntarily aligned ourselves with the requirements of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) according to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) which will be mandatory in the future.
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Sustainability Ratings and Rankings

Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations has defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are political targets that serve sustainable development worldwide on an economic, social and ecological level. ZF has identified eight of these targets to which the company is able to make a relevant contribution. This means either through minimizing consequences or by developing new technical solutions with positive effects. Our focus is on climate and nature, people and lasting values.

 
Sustainable Development Goals
 
SDG4
 
SDG7
 
SDG8
 
SDG9
 
SDG11
 
SDG12
 
SDG13
 
SDG17

Sustainability Worldwide

As a globally operating technology company, ZF considers social, environmental, and economic aspects throughout its business activities. This includes its workforce and operations, its supply chain, and the development and production of its products. The integration of these considerations is a core element of ZF’s corporate and sustainability strategy.

Polymer Recycling: Breaking Down the Chains

ZF and its partner BASF successfully completed a circular economy pilot project in record time. It proves that recycled plastic can be used even in the production of high-stress components – with no compromise in quality compared to conventionally manufactured, fossil-based primary plastic.
Climate & Nature
ZF and its partner BASF successfully completed a circular economy pilot project in record time. It proves that recycled plastic can be used even in the production of high-stress components – with no compromise in quality compared to conventionally manufactured, fossil-based primary plastic.
Tunnels underneath cities or even entire mountains are an integral part of the concept of safe and sustainable mobility. ZF technology ensures reliable tunneling through the toughest rock for rail and road transportation. Tunnels underneath cities or even entire mountains are an integral part of the concept of safe and sustainable mobility. ZF technology ensures reliable tunneling through the toughest rock for rail and road transportation.

Hidden Lifelines

Tunnels underneath cities or even entire mountains are an integral part of the concept of safe and high-perfomance mobility. ZF technology ensures reliable tunneling through the toughest rock for rail and road transportation.
Climate & Nature
Tunnels underneath cities or even entire mountains are an integral part of the concept of safe and high-perfomance mobility. ZF technology ensures reliable tunneling through the toughest rock for rail and road transportation.
Rare Earths Rare Earths

Motor of The Future With no Rare Earths

Electric mobility is closely linked to the use of rare earth metals. Since their origin and mining can prove problematic, ZF adopts a three-pronged approach to make its product portfolio as responsible as possible.
Climate & Nature
Electric mobility is closely linked to the use of rare earth metals. Since their origin and mining can prove problematic, ZF adopts a three-pronged approach to make its product portfolio as responsible as possible.
It’s About Community

It’s About Community

At a time in which the pace of change is increasing sharply, the ZF Way provides orientation for employees as they journey together towards the future.
More about our principles
Diversity

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion enhance our creativity, increase our innovational power, and are key to business success. We offer equal opportunities in a diverse working environment.
More about diversity and inclusion
Social Commitment: ZF hilft.

Social Commitment

The association "ZF hilft e.V." collects donations of employees and customers for sustainable relief projects worldwide. The donation income comes to 100% with the projects.
More about ZF's social commitment
ESG financing

Sustainable Finance

Financing instruments such as bonds under the ZF Green Finance Framework allow investors to finance business activities that support ZF’s sustainability strategy.
More about ESG financing

Strategy

Our strategic approach of "Strengthening our Strengths – Unlocking our Potential" is the key to ensuring that ZF continues to focus on profitable growth in a powerful and sustainable manner.
ZF's corporate strategy
Code of Conduct

Compliance

ZF has gained trust of its customers thanks to its responsible corporate management, compliance, and its outstanding performance. The aim is to maintain this high esteem.
More about compliance