DUCO receives prestigious VCDO certificate for sustainable entrepreneurship in 2023

 DUCO is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious VCDO (VOKA Charter Sustainable Operations) certificate in recognition of its commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility in 2023. This award reaffirms our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At DUCO, we understand that sustainability is a necessity. Participation in this charter commits us to taking at least 10 concrete actions towards sustainability every year. Our approach, based on the five Ps - People, Planet, Profit, Peace & Partnerships - helps us grow step by step towards a more sustainable future. Together with preparations for our first CSRD report in 2026, this is an important track towards our sustainable future.

DUCO's Sustainable actions and initiatives

Over the years, we have already taken several steps towards a more sustainable future. Here are some of our initiatives and investments

1. Healthy and comfortable indoor climate

Our (mechanical) ventilation and solar shading products contribute directly to a healthy and comfortable indoor climate. These systems are designed with the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, not only improving air quality but also reducing energy costs.

2. Sustainable energy supply

DUCO has made significant investments in solar energy, installing around 1650kWp of PV capacity today, which covers a good portion of our electricity consumption.

3. Environmentally friendly production processes

Our paint shop operates in a completely closed circuit with its own water treatment and water recovery, for which we obtained 'zero discharge' status. We maximise the use of rainwater for toilets and have set up a system for recycling EPS packaging materials. We also recover paint powder residue from automatic spray booths for sustainable painting of non-visible components.

4. Responsible handling of waste

DUCO has an extensive in-house container park for maximum waste segregation combined with a daily waste train for collection across the production floor. This ensures we efficiently manage and recycle waste streams, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable production environment.

5. Supporting community and diversity

DUCO has for years housed an enclave of bespoke Oesterbank to help provide employment opportunities for people distanced from the labour market. We also already set up a number of donations of IT equipment to healthcare and education group Inspirant. In addition, one and a half years ago we started a cooperation with Fedasil to fill various vacancies.

Internally, we organise various initiatives to increase the engagement and enjoyment of our team members.

6. Investment in sustainability

In addition to the above items, the following investments were also completed:

• Replacing our trucks with latest-generation models
• Our new gas-free office building
• LED lighting and daylight control in our production halls
• Accelerating the electrification of our commercial vehicle fleet
• Installation of energy metering in our facilities, including 121 individual metering points
• Conversion of our compressor fleet to energy-efficient, frequency-controlled units

A sustainable future

Achieving our first VCDO certificate is an important milestone in our sustainability journey. It reaffirms our commitment to corporate responsibility and inspires us to constantly look for new ways to improve our impact on the environment and society. At DUCO, we remain committed to a sustainable future, continuing to innovate and invest in technologies that contribute to a better world.