PFENNIG is increasingly focusing on products from Germany

Dietmar and Petra Pfennig

With more products manufactured in Germany, regionalized supply chains, and a higher recycled content in the range, PFENNIG continues its long-standing sustainability course. The new report documents the current developments of the Allgäu-based family business.

A key result of the new sustainability report: 16.59 percent of the products still produced abroad in 2023 are now manufactured in Germany. A previously set target of 10 percent has been significantly exceeded. This shortens transportation routes, while simultaneously increasing supply security and independence from global supply chains.

Sustainability systematically embedded

“Those who take responsibility seriously must act. Our sustainability report shows what we have already implemented and what we are still working on,” says Managing Director Dietmar Pfennig. For over 50 years, PFENNIG has been developing manual cleaning systems for cleanrooms, healthcare, and professional building cleaning. The company, headquartered in Durach near Kempten, is now represented in more than 30 countries. The focus is on solutions that combine hygiene, quality, and practicality. Sustainability has been part of the strategic orientation since 2011 and has been systematically documented since 2022.

To permanently embed the topic of sustainability within the company, PFENNIG has established an cross-departmental sustainability team. Employees from various departments develop goals, support measures, and integrate the topic into existing processes.

Products that conserve resources

PFENNIG is also increasingly focusing on resource-efficient solutions in its product portfolio. Some cleaning carts already consist of up to 84 percent recycled material, and the company offers cleaning textiles with a high recycled content, some even with 100 percent. The goal: to increase the recycled content in further products as well.

Sustainability also plays a key role in the development of the range. During the reporting period, PFENNIG implemented more than 50 product developments and optimizations, including considerations of material use, durability, efficiency, and resource conservation.

In addition to the products, PFENNIG also looks at their use at the customer’s site: modular cleaning systems and dosing solutions help reduce water, chemicals, and material consumption during cleaning processes while supporting reliable hygiene standards. Furthermore, according to the company, 41 suppliers were evaluated based on sustainability criteria. Measures to improve energy efficiency at the site, as well as internal workshops and training for employees, are also part of the efforts.

Sustainability can only succeed together

“Sustainable development can only succeed together with customers, suppliers, employees, and other partners,” says Petra Pfennig. Feedback from practical experience and close collaboration are crucial to realistically implementing goals and ensuring long-term progress. “Our course was recently further validated by external assessments: PFENNIG was awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal and is thus among the highest-rated companies in the international sustainability rating.”

The full sustainability report 2024/25 can be read on the company's website at https://pfennig-reinigungstechnik.com/de/nachhaltigkeit.