Here at Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK, sustainability is a core responsibility - embedded in our operations, our culture, and our future. As part of Knorr-Bremse’s global network, we align with the company’s sustainability framework, which informs our decision-making and drives continuous improvement across our sites.
Explore Knorr-Bremse's Group Sustainability Page
Below we highlight the specific sustainability initiatives underway at our UK locations.
As we continue to evolve our practices, our UK teams are driving forward ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions and eliminate waste to landfill. These efforts are not only aligned with our global targets, but are tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities at our local facilities. From solar energy generation to advanced recycling programmes, our actions are designed to deliver measurable progress toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Our sustainability efforts focus on two critical areas: waste and recycling, and energy consumption, with two key targets:
Contacts
Sid Hayden UK EHS Manager
Melksham
SN12 6TL
United Kingdom
sid.hayden@knorr-bremse.com
Beatrice Hanney EHS Graduate
Melksham
SN12 6TL
United Kingdom
beatrice.hanney@knorr-bremse.com
Zero Waste to Landfill across all KBRS UK Facilities
Efficient use of energy, water, and materials is central to our waste reduction strategy. We are making strong progress through improved segregation, recycling, and responsible disposal practices. Key initiatives include:
- High recycling rates: Our UK HQ recently achieved a recycling rate of 93.2%, with only 20kg of waste sent to landfill. Our other sites recently achieved zero landfill, with Manchester recycling or converting 100% of its waste to energy.
- PPE recycling: Our Manchester site is pioneering the recycling of personal protective equipment, such as gloves and workwear, helping to reduce landfill and support a circular economy.
- Energy Efficiency Monitoring: We have identified key energy users at our Melksham site and are actively monitoring their consumption. Annual reviews and targeted reduction plans are in place for high-priority areas, supporting our commitment to lowering energy usage and improving operational sustainability.
- Food waste compliance: We have now fully adopted the latest food waste regulations, enhancing our waste management practices to ensure responsible disposal and improved sustainability. This marks a key step in reducing our environmental impact and supporting a circular economy.
Reducing Scope 1 & 2 Carbon Emissions by 50% by 2030
Our teams are implementing a range of initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to low-carbon operations. Examples include:
- Solar energy generation: At our UK headquarters, 16% of electricity is now generated via solar panels—an increase of 3% compared to the previous year.
- 100% renewable electricity: All UK sites are transitioning to 100% green electricity, significantly lowering our carbon footprint.
- Phasing out natural gas: We are actively replacing gas-based systems with low-carbon alternatives, including air-source and water-source heat pumps.
We’ve also begun measuring indirect scope 3 emissions across our value chain, supported by cross-functional collaboration. This is a vital step in understanding and addressing our broader environmental impact.
Our Future Goals
In addition to reducing our scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, all KBRS UK facilities are committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
Our Live Sustainability Data
If you would like to request access to our Live Sustainability Page where we provide live updates of our progress, please contact Sid Hayden and Beatrice Hanney here.