Published on 10/11/24
An Interview with CEO Christian Raith on Responsibility, Values, and Positive Surprises.
Sustainability is one of the most critical issues companies will face in the coming years, as both politics and society increasingly demand that businesses take on more responsibility in climate and environmental protection. What does this mean for medium-sized companies? Christian Raith, CEO of IMM Photonics, has answers.
What sustainability requirements does IMM Photonics face?
Christian Raith: First of all, it’s important to note that we are relatively unaffected by regulatory requirements, as we neither have high-energy production nor process many hazardous substances. Therefore, our impact is very low compared to other industries. Nevertheless, we have already made many adjustments in the past and are continuing our commitment to sustainability. In this regard, the challenge for us going forward is less about doing even more for the environment and climate than documenting what we’re already doing.
What steps have you taken in your Teisnach production facility for environmental and climate protection?
Christian Raith: For instance, ten years ago, when we built our new facility in Teisnach, we committed to 100 percent LED lighting. Today, that’s standard, but at the time, we were among the pioneers. We operate a woodchip heating system with regional production from the surrounding Bavarian Forest. Our energy strategy also involves maintaining full climate control in production. Humidification in the production area is our primary energy consumer. To avoid excessive heating or cooling from outside, we use 50 percent recirculated indoor air and 50 percent fresh air. Additionally, we use energy from 100 percent green electricity.
Are you purchasing energy, or are you focusing on in-house production?
Christian Raith: We did consider building our own solar farm in the Bavarian Forest—there’s certainly enough space. However, we had to decide against in-house energy production in Teisnach for the time being due to the massive regulatory hurdles.
How do you ensure sustainability is maintained throughout the supply chain?
Christian Raith: We pay very close attention to this point and have established a Code of Conduct with all of our suppliers. After all, sustainability isn’t just about the environment. A core part of it involves human rights, social issues, and how these are managed internally.
And what are your sustainability efforts beyond production and the supply chain?
Christian Raith: This also aligns with our broader strategic direction. Our entire vehicle fleet consists of electric cars, with the only exception being a plug-in hybrid. The building we lease in Unterschleißheim has won a sustainability award, and we actively contribute to efficient energy use there as well. In our offices, we rely 100 percent on LED lighting, and we’ve moved our entire server infrastructure externally to save energy. This has allowed us to reduce our electricity consumption by 50 percent compared to 2020.
Many companies complain about the additional work required by increased documentation and reporting obligations. Do you agree with that sentiment?
Christian Raith: It is indeed an additional administrative burden that’s noticeable. But we’re not doing this without reason; we’re working toward creating a livable future for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren. As a business owner and a person, this mission is very close to my heart. For example, I am currently working on transforming my private home into an energy-positive house, and I’m proud to say that I’m close to achieving that goal completely.
IMM Photonics is EcoVadis-certified. What does this certification entail, and why is it important to you?
Christian Raith: EcoVadis is an internationally recognized platform that evaluates and helps companies improve their sustainability performance. At the start of the certification process, we had our already implemented measures and existing documentation assessed by EcoVadis. We are proud that we were able to significantly distinguish ourselves from the majority of local companies and received the Bronze award, more or less right from the start. Our short-term goal is to achieve Silver status soon and to continuously improve from there.