ESG and sustainability

At HMK Bilcon, we take a systematic approach to environmental and climate matters, employee welfare, quality, information security and responsible business conduct. ESG is an integral part of our operations and has also become an important competitive factor in the markets we serve.

 

Our customers increasingly require documentation of responsible production, traceability, information security and climate data. We therefore work systematically to document our performance through international standards, certifications and ESG reporting.

HMK Bilcon’s ESG report provides insight into the company’s environmental, social and governance activities. The report has been prepared voluntarily and is based on the principles of the CSRD, the ESRS and the EU’s voluntary VSME standard for small and medium-sized enterprises. It describes our most significant initiatives, results and objectives for 2026.

Download our ESG report 2025 here.

Highlights from 2025

Environment and climate

We calculate our carbon footprint in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and continuously work to improve the quality of the data used in our greenhouse gas inventory. Our greatest environmental impact comes from the materials we purchase rather than from our own operations. Our climate initiatives therefore focus both on reducing our own consumption and on improving the data available throughout the value chain.
Today, item-level data covers 87.4% of the invoiced value of the relevant product groups, providing a more accurate basis for documentation and decision-making.
Revenue has increased by 75% since 2021, while CO2 emissions have risen by only 22%. This indicates a gradual decoupling of business activity from climate impact.
Development in 2025
From 2024 to 2025, our total CO2 emissions fell from 7,372 to 6,019 tonnes of CO2e, a reduction of 18%, while revenue remained at the level recorded in the record year of 2024.

Renewable electricity
Scope 2 emissions were reduced by 60% after we entered into a new electricity agreement in 2025. All electricity is now supplied from renewable Danish energy sources through renewable energy certificates.

Energy efficiency
Energy consumption fell from 2,059 to 1,444 MWh, while energy intensity reached its lowest level during the reporting period at 7.2 MWh per DKK million. This reflects investments in a variable-speed compressor, LED lighting, heat recovery and improved district heating management.

Value chain
Scope 3 emissions follow our level of activity. We maintain an ongoing dialogue with suppliers concerning lower-carbon materials and improved CO2 data.

CO2 development 2021-2025

Certifications:
– quality and welding

Our certifications support our work with quality, the environment, information security and welding quality. Several of these certifications are prerequisites for supplying European defence customers and international projects.

ISO 9001:2015 og 3834-2:2021

We are certified to ISO 9001:2015 and hold several welding certifications, including ISO 9606-2 for the construction of tanks in accordance with EN 13094:2020+A1:2022, as required by ADR 2025; ISO 10042:2018 for welding and arc-welded joints in aluminium and its alloys; and DS/EN ISO 13445-4:2021+A1:2023 for the design and manufacture of pressure vessels.

We are also certified to the ISO 3834-2:2021 welding standard, confirming that we meet the quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials.

DIN 2303 Q2BK2

In 2022, we achieved DIN 2303 Q2BK2 certification. This certification authorises us to weld all types of steel, with the exception of reinforcing steel, in accordance with German welding standards.
Download ISO 9001 certificate
Download ISO 3834-2 certificate
Download DIN 2303 Q2BK2 certificate

Certifications:
– environment and cybersecurity

ISO 14001:2015

We achieved ISO 14001:2015 certification in 2020. This means that we take a structured approach to minimising the environmental impact of our day-to-day operations. As part of the management system, we have established an environmental policy and defined improvement objectives.

Download ISO 14001 certificate

ISO 27001:2022

In response to the growing threat to IT systems and infrastructure, we achieved ISO 27001:2022 certification in 2024. This management system for cybersecurity and information security is also closely aligned with the EU’s NIS2 Directive. We have significantly strengthened our level of security and continue to address the growing cyberthreat landscape.
Download ISO 27001 certificate

EcoVadis

– from bronze to silver

EcoVadis is one of the world’s largest independent platforms for assessing corporate sustainability across four areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The rating is used to document responsible supplier management and is increasingly requested by our customers in the defence sector.

We received our first EcoVadis certification in 2025 and were awarded a bronze rating. Since then, we have developed additional policies covering the environment, ethics, responsible business conduct and procurement. We have also improved our data foundation across all four assessment areas.

In 2026, we progressed from bronze to silver.

Improvement projects

In recent years, we have implemented a wide range of improvements across the company. These initiatives contribute to reducing energy consumption and improving the working environment. Our work is not complete, and we continue to implement improvements that have a positive impact on our operations.

In 2025 and 2026, our improvements included:

  • Re-establishing and optimising the wash bay
  • Purchasing additional welding manipulators
  • Installing additional noise barriers following noise measurements
  • Installing supplementary room extraction in the paint department
  • Renovating changing facilities in the testing and paint departments
  • Purchasing an electric forklift truck
  • Installing a central welding gas supply system
  • Entering into an agreement to purchase electricity from renewable energy sources
  • Replacing doors with improved insulation

Social responsibility

At HMK Bilcon, our employees are the foundation of the company’s development. We strive to provide a workplace with a high level of employee wellbeing, strong development opportunities and fair working conditions.

We train the skilled professionals of the future through apprenticeship programmes and partnerships with educational institutions. Student employees, employees in flex jobs and senior employees are also a natural part of our organisation.

We comply with the applicable collective agreement for Danish industry and offer benefits including pension and healthcare schemes, as well as a range of employee benefits that support wellbeing and retention. Employee satisfaction is measured regularly and remains above the national average.

A safe working environment is also a key priority. We take a systematic approach to preventing occupational accidents, improving ergonomics, reducing noise, and implementing modern extraction and ventilation solutions. These efforts have contributed to a reduction in occupational accidents in recent years.

Corporate governance

As a supplier to both the defence industry and the energy sector, we are subject to stringent requirements concerning integrity, security and responsible business practices. Our management systems are supported by policies and procedures covering quality, the environment, information security, occupational health and safety, responsible procurement and business ethics.

Our work includes:

  • Codes of conduct for employees and suppliers
  • Anti-corruption
  • A whistleblower scheme
  • Supplier requirements and responsible procurement
  • Information security and cybersecurity
  • Compliance with applicable legislation and international standards

For us, responsible business conduct means being a reliable partner that delivers documented quality and meets the expectations of our customers and stakeholders.