BekaertDeslee Sets Science Based Targets 

Waregem, Belgium-based BekaertDeslee, a textile and sewn covers supplier, has set near-term emission-reduction targets. These targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, or SBTi, an independent organization. 

According to company leaders, BekaertDeslee has committed to reducing its Scope 1 (direct emissions from owned or controlled sources) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heating and cooling) emissions by 64.2% by 2030 compared with its 2021 levels. In 2023, this amounted to 46,395 tCO2e, or tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is less than 10% of the company’s total footprint. The majority of the footprint is linked to BekaertDeslee’s upstream and downstream value chain (Scope 3), mainly from purchased goods and services and end-of-life of sold products. In 2023, this totaled 483,184 tCO2e, equivalent to approximately 274,538 round-trip flights from Paris to New York. 

These emissions targets have been validated by SBTi, a corporate climate action organization that enables companies and financial institutions across the globe to combat the climate crisis. 

“We are dedicated to improving the lives of many by committing to a significant reduction of our carbon footprint,” said Eric Lachambre, BekaertDeslee CEO. “By calculating our emissions according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and identifying reduction opportunities, we aim to achieve our goals with the support of the Science Based Targets initiative.” 

BekaertDeslee has planned various measures to achieve its goals. Kevin Burkel, executive vice president for sustainability, marketing and strategy explained: “For Scope 1, we will install energy-efficient heating systems, develop new, more energy­efficient manufacturing processes and machines, improve the energy performance of existing facilities and invest in renewable energy infrastructure.” 

Reducing Scope 2 emissions is a short-term priority for BekaertDeslee. “We are increasingly purchasing more and more green electricity for our plants, in combination with investing in our own renewable energy capacities,” Burkel said. “For Scope 3, our major contributors are our purchased materials and the end-of-life impact of our products. 

“We are engaging with our suppliers and customers to reduce the carbon footprint of our products. The major levers are to work with more recycled materials instead of virgin materials, to develop products that are easier to recycle, and also to source more renewable materials. One pivotal initiative involves recycling our textile waste, aiming for a cradle-to-cradle solution.” 

Reducing CO² emissions is part of BekaertDeslee’s sustainability roadmap, which includes material topics such as sustainable products, climate and circular economy. “We will continue working on a more holistic sustainability strategy to build a better tomorrow and to secure our industry leadership role for the future,” Lachambre said.