Electrolux (ELX.DE) appliances with the best environmental performance accounted for 22% of total sales and 35% of gross profit in 2010.
Sales of Green Range products, which have the highest energy and water efficiency, have been progressing steadily since their roll-out in 2008, the company said in its 2010 Sustainability Report.
The report uses Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines and is incorporated into Electrolux’s online Annual Report.
"Never before has our sustainability reporting been so interconnected with the Annual Report," says Henrik Sundström, Vice President of Sustainability Affairs in Electrolux. Sustainability topics are built around a clickable GRI index, allowing readers to "drill down" on various sustainability issues, the company said.
Sharp focus lies on four issues: climate change, ethical business and safe workplaces, responsible sourcing and restructuring. The report details how Electrolux manages issues and also discloses information about more than 70 performance indicators as defined by the GRI.
Another finding in the report is that Electrolux has cut energy use by 25% since 2005, and set 2014 targets for transportation (15% carbon reduction from transport), and water use (20% reduction) with long and short-term product targets for energy, water and chemical use to follow in 2011.
"In 2010, we began the process of developing a blueprint for actions to strengthen our sustainability commitment. We improved our grasp on emerging global challenges. We sharpened our insight into how these will affect consumer needs and business conditions. 2011 will mark a shift in speed for Electrolux," says Keith McLoughlin, President and CEO of Electrolux.
Electrolux sells more than 40 million products to customers in more than 150 markets every year. These include refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, cookers, air-conditioners and small appliances such as vacuum cleaners sold under brands like Electrolux, AEG, Eureka and Frigidaire.