Aligned global sustainability commitments and strategies as value chain partners  

It is vital that value chain partners align on a shared vision of sustainability in order to drive meaningful progress. Both Ericsson and Flex have a long-standing dedication to environmental efforts, with a shared commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. As technology companies, science is critical. Both organizations ensure their emission reduction strategy is in-line with climate science by joining the Science-Based Targets Initiative. For the majority of organizations, the largest portion of emissions falls under Scope 3, or the indirect emissions generated through their value chain, making partnerships critical. 

Sustainable operations reduce emissions for Ericsson, Flex, and the extended value chain 

Flex’s approach to reducing operational emissions leverages over a decade of sustainability experience and a footprint to activate a strategy that addresses global, country, and site-specific needs. The three main facets of Flex’s operational energy management and emissions reduction strategy are seeking out opportunities to reduce the need for energy consumption, leveraging system efficiency as a mitigation tactic, and increasing use of renewable energy resources. 

At the beginning of 2022, Flex’s factory in Tczew, Poland ran on 100 percent renewable energy, helping to ensure that Ericsson products manufactured in this facility benefit from more environmentally-friendly operations.

As a primary manufacturing facility for Ericsson, the Flex site in Tczew manufactures 5G infrastructure equipment, including industry-leading lightweight and energy-efficient Massive MIMO antenna-integrated radios. Flex also provides manufacturing, supply chain, and circular economy services for Ericsson in countries around the world including Malaysia and Hungary. In 2023, Ericsson celebrated the production of one million units in the Tczew facility with delivery of the one-millionth radio to Telia, the leading Nordic and Baltic digital communications company.  

Out of the 1.1 million products manufactured by Flex for Ericsson in Poland, 1,401 baseband units were delivered by Ericsson to the customer, BT Group. Through Flex’s transition to renewable energy at its Tczew, Poland facility, both Flex and Ericsson projected an 11,000-ton reduction in Flex’s Scope 2 carbon emissions attributed to Ericsson for the year 2022. This reduction corresponds to a decrease of 14 tons in embodied carbon emissions for the 1,401 baseband units sent to BT Group.  

In 2023, Ericsson recognized Flex for these extended efforts with a 2023 Supplier Sustainability Award. 

Since the award, the site continues to invest in operational energy management and emission reduction. For example, the site has installed energy-efficient heat pumps, furthering manufacturing efficiency and costs while minimizing environmental impact. Flex Tczew promotes a culture of sustainability, collectively contributing over 5,500 volunteer hours from 2022 to 2023 towards initiatives including environmental education, awareness, and investments. 

Progressing on a path to sustainability 

Ericsson and Flex are focused on leveraging value chain partnerships to drive sustainability forward, collaborating to progress sustainability efforts and capitalize on operational enhancements. Both companies are committed to emission reduction targets while fostering an environment that promotes collective action.  

Ericsson’s latest sustainability report showcases an increasing number of suppliers who have made qualifying emission reduction commitments, including providing a credible decarbonization plan. Flex, as a supplier, is similarly aligned to emission reduction targets, and committed to making progress across the value chain. 

Flex emission-reduction progress in 2023

These milestones represent steps in both companies’ journeys toward achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. By operating efficiently and enhancing resilience and minimizing risks, Ericsson and Flex are paving the way for accelerated digitalization across industry and society alongside sustainability and resilience efforts, contributing to a greener future along the way. 

¹ The target boundary includes biogenic emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.
² Flex’s goal is to have 50% of preferred suppliers set emissions reduction targets by 2025 and 100% of preferred suppliers do so by 2030.
³ Progress based on our commitment that 70% of our customers as measured by emissions covering purchased goods and services, capital goods, and use of sold products will have science-based targets by 2025, which was baselined in calendar year 2019.