Driving a sustainable future: Kalmar’s commitment to climate and circularity

At Kalmar, sustainability is embedded in everything we do. Our ambition is to build a net-zero, circular value chain while delivering the industry’s safest and most innovative solutions for our customers. With CSRD’s double materiality analysis, companies must assess both their impact on the world and how sustainability challenges affect their business. For Kalmar, this means focusing on climate action, circularity, and responsible business practices – all closely aligned with our strategy and operations.

Electrification and carbon neutrality

“Kalmar aims to be net-zero by 2045 and carbon neutral in our own operations by 2030. Electrification is at the heart of this journey. Our Eco portfolio, featuring electric and low-carbon solutions, helps customers reduce their emissions and transition to more sustainable operations. For example, an electric reachstacker, when charged with 100 percent fossil-free electricity, can reduce its lifetime carbon footprint by up to 77 percent compared to a diesel reachstacker,” says Päivi Koivisto, VP Sustainability, Kalmar.

We are also making strides in sustainable manufacturing. In 2024, we delivered our first electric reachstacker made partly from fossil-free steel, cutting manufacturing emissions by over 20 percent. By continuously innovating and scaling up low-carbon solutions, we support not only our own climate goals but also those of our customers.

Circular economy: maximizing value, minimizing waste

The transition to a circular economy is a critical part of sustainable business. Kalmar focuses on designing for longevity, increasing reuse and refurbishment, and reducing reliance on finite resources. Through our global service network, we help customers maximize the lifetime value and uptime of their equipment.

Additionally, our supply chain plays a major role in resource efficiency and biodiversity impact, particularly in sourcing materials like iron ore and scarce minerals. By maximizing the use of recycled materials, such as recycled steel, we can minimize both the negative impact on biodiversity and climate, and use less virgin materials.

A responsible and inclusive business

“Sustainability is not just about the environment; it’s about people. At Kalmar, we are committed to a harm-free, diverse, and inclusive workplace. In 2024, we strengthened our human rights due diligence processes to better identify, address, and mitigate risks across our operations and supply chain. Safety is a top priority, we do not compromise on it and want to build a culture of safety leadership. In 2024, over 200 leaders participated in our safety programme, with a focus on psychological safety,” says Koivisto.

At Kalmar, we are committed to a harm-free, diverse, and inclusive workplace.

Ethical business practices are fundamental to Kalmar’s culture. With strong governance, compliance frameworks, and whistleblowing channels, we ensure that integrity guides our decisions at every level. Our responsible sourcing further strengthens ESG compliance among suppliers, requiring all new suppliers to meet strict sustainability criteria and pass audits before approval.

Transparency through CSRD reporting

With CSRD redefining corporate sustainability reporting, companies are expected to provide detailed disclosures on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts. At Kalmar, we embrace this shift toward greater transparency. Our Sustainability statement, aligned with CSRD, reflects our progress, challenges, and commitments to building a more sustainable material handling industry.

As we move forward, we remain dedicated to leading the way in sustainable innovation - from electrification and circularity to responsible business practices.

Because for Kalmar, sustainability is not just a compliance requirement - it’s a long-term commitment to shaping a better future.

Explore our Sustainability statement