![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/24cd7f4be704ef2e67b26eb560cbd0259b05c5b0833b9fd75870628e584ea6a6.png)
The biggest challenge for us is how to make the products we trade, our steel pipes and tubes, sustainable. We are engaging our suppliers and partners in dialogue for this purpose. Cooperation within the chain is of major importance. For example, together with suppliers we are investigating the possibilities of keeping pipes in stock that are produced with a reduced CO2 footprint. In addition, it is also important to explore with our customers where these ‘green pipes’ can be used.
The top priority for the coming years is to work towards CO2 neutral business operations. The goal is ambitious: by 2030, Van Leeuwen aims to be the most sustainable distributor of pipes and tubes. Ulrika Rydén, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Van Leeuwen: ‘Currently we are focusing in a big way on installing solar panels on the roofs of our warehouses. We have started off with Zwijndrecht and Duisburg and are investigating options for our other locations. Furthermore, we are devoting attention to greener methods of distribution. For example, Royal Dutch LV Logistics (Lensveld Transport), which for several decades has provided transport services to Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group, since September has been using HVO100 renewable diesel to fuel its trucks. This way, together with this carrier, we contribute to further greening the logistics chain.
Van Leeuwen and sustainability
The solar panels in Zwijndrecht and Duisburg are concrete results of Van Leeuwen’s sustainability strategy. The concern for our climate, the environment and society is self-evident for Van Leeuwen. Continuity is a guideline for us as a 98-year-old family business. We feel responsible for the next generation, within as well as beyond the company’s boundaries. Caroline van Nieuwkerk, Executive Director HR at Van Leeuwen: ‘We are working on sustainability objectives that we are further detailing and making measurable, with due consideration to the entire value chain from factory to customer. In our sustainability strategy we have chosen to focus on the themes People, Growth, Climate Action and Partners & Suppliers. Our objectives in part concern energy consumption and renewable energy, safety, diversity and inclusion at the workplace.’
![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/711e26862062d82ec1e0ef24cbe5cd3a21cc0bdb30132aaf959982fd2ca800fe.png)
Jan Peter Balkenende, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, addressed employees and guests in the warehouse in Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands.
Peter Rietberg, Chairman of the Van Leeuwen Management Board welcomed guests and spoke about sustainability at Van Leeuwen.
![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/8996e0b0f419fd55004e3465eadd386285920fb50810e5d9281a87f014f0816b.jpg)
![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/3c340576a1631f68ec7bf5a05974fb25e4275fdb0c5c7f2c19703d9adc404245.jpg)
Solar panels at Van Leeuwen Germany as well
Starting September, solar panels were also installed on the roof of Van Leeuwen Germany in Duisburg. Managing Directors of Van Leeuwen Germany & Austria, Thorsten Müller and Andreas Schmidt, had the honor of installing the first solar panels. Almost 2,000 solar panels were installed on the roof prior to 1 November. In total the solar panels, with a 644.63 MWh annual electricity production capacity, will cover a 3,648 m² roof surface area.
![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/11cfae9f0990e9fb6b98aba8dd433e0be875fb5d595a220d92b6e7b43b2fe886.png)
On 13 September, Van Leeuwen put a solar panel installation with a 5-megawatt peak capacity into operation in Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands. Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Professor Jan Peter Balkenende, officially put the installation into operation. With this installation, comprising 9,100 solar panels on the roof of the warehouse in Zwijndrecht, Van Leeuwen is taking an important step in reducing its CO2 emissions. With solar panels covering a total surface area of 23,500 m², Van Leeuwen produces enough electricity in-house to provide green power to all of its branches in the Netherlands and Belgium. In addition, Van Leeuwen returns sufficient power to the grid for 300 households in the Netherlands.
Green power on our own roofs
![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/1743065eec8a2125827d4f777dcedfe6206ef51330f6ec810ae4f4183629cf07.png)
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![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/3424e5efae6267d17dd3e1bae0e62ffa6866339386c3d0502d0471e52d5d3a05.png)
The biggest challenge for us is how to make the products we trade, our steel pipes and tubes, sustainable. We are engaging our suppliers and partners in dialogue for this purpose. Cooperation within the chain is of major importance. For example, together with suppliers we are investigating the possibilities of keeping pipes in stock that are produced with a reduced CO2 footprint. In addition, it is also important to explore with our customers where these ‘green pipes’ can be used.
The top priority for the coming years is to work towards CO2 neutral business operations. The goal is ambitious: by 2030, Van Leeuwen aims to be the most sustainable distributor of pipes and tubes. Ulrika Rydén, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Van Leeuwen: ‘Currently we are focusing in a big way on installing solar panels on the roofs of our warehouses. We have started off with Zwijndrecht and Duisburg and are investigating options for our other locations. Furthermore, we are devoting attention to greener methods of distribution. For example, Royal Dutch LV Logistics (Lensveld Transport), which for several decades has provided transport services to Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group, since September has been using HVO100 renewable diesel to fuel its trucks. This way, together with this carrier, we contribute to further greening the logistics chain.
Van Leeuwen and sustainability
The solar panels in Zwijndrecht and Duisburg are concrete results of Van Leeuwen’s sustainability strategy. The concern for our climate, the environment and society is self-evident for Van Leeuwen. Continuity is a guideline for us as a 98-year-old family business. We feel responsible for the next generation, within as well as beyond the company’s boundaries. Caroline van Nieuwkerk, Executive Director HR at Van Leeuwen: ‘We are working on sustainability objectives that we are further detailing and making measurable, with due consideration to the entire value chain from factory to customer. In our sustainability strategy we have chosen to focus on the themes People, Growth, Climate Action and Partners & Suppliers. Our objectives in part concern energy consumption and renewable energy, safety, diversity and inclusion at the workplace.’
![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/f53d8ff115867ab25d89e14c5e845884c795a0a7c1accd37223a52fd7434d1e5.png)
Solar panels at Van Leeuwen Germany as well
Starting September, solar panels were also installed on the roof of Van Leeuwen Germany in Duisburg. Managing Directors of Van Leeuwen Germany & Austria, Thorsten Müller and Andreas Schmidt, had the honor of installing the first solar panels. Almost 2,000 solar panels were installed on the roof prior to 1 November. In total the solar panels, with a 644.63 MWh annual electricity production capacity, will cover a 3,648 m² roof surface area.
![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/4c1ba3bf5f03929f90110721e99c0c8bd3339aca5f7bb959b3ade4d0b6f676d9.png)
Jan Peter Balkenende, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, addressed employees and guests in the warehouse in Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands.
Peter Rietberg, Chairman of the Van Leeuwen Management Board welcomed guests and spoke about sustainability at Van Leeuwen.
![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/47d0340b99a456697d5d35e06252005fb212de5f7458019aeb61ee011160b105.jpg)
![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/ffef7adb94e4ddc29b430e4249de4c6ca79d27b99b548f326025e65af8db9bf2.jpg)
On 13 September, Van Leeuwen put a solar panel installation with a 5-megawatt peak capacity into operation in Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands. Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Professor Jan Peter Balkenende, officially put the installation into operation. With this installation, comprising 9,100 solar panels on the roof of the warehouse in Zwijndrecht, Van Leeuwen is taking an important step in reducing its CO2 emissions. With solar panels covering a total surface area of 23,500 m², Van Leeuwen produces enough electricity in-house to provide green power to all of its branches in the Netherlands and Belgium. In addition, Van Leeuwen returns sufficient power to the grid for 300 households in the Netherlands.
Green power on our own roofs
![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/6774f1153bde5c108a2c2e363a1f1e589f86b630a6c2e901f12cb97419ac4b1f.png)
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![](https://data.maglr.com/725/issues/39260/491995/assets/media/1743065eec8a2125827d4f777dcedfe6206ef51330f6ec810ae4f4183629cf07.png)
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