Eco-controlling was introduced at Sarnafil International AG in 1996. Since then, all relevant material and energy flows have been systematically identified, documented, and analyzed by source. This data makes possible the evaluation, planning, and monitoring of production processes.

The impact indicators used in eco-controlling (indicators that serve to evaluate resource consumption and the environmental impact of production processes) have proven reliable and useful in the evaluation of our environmental performance.

The impact indicators quantify environmental influences in the various impact categories. The relevance of these categories varies from country to country, depending on local environmental policy and social values. The impact indicators give industries and companies a basis for prioritizing measures to reduce environmental impact.

Impact categories	Impact indicators
Energy consumption	Heating oil, fuels, electrical power
Material consumption	Raw materials & semi-finished goods, manufacturing supplies, packaging
Hazardous materials	Plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers, paints & pigments, manufacturing supplies & cleaners, solvents
Water use	Use of groundwater and water from municipal system, Wastewater returned to groundwater and discharged into sewer and streams
Summer smog	Volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMVOC)
Greenhouse effect	Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Waste for disposal	Waste in incinerators, landfills, and hazardous waste treatment plants
Waste for external recycling	Polymeric membrane, paper bags, packing membrane, wooden pallets, other waste (batteries, paper/ cardboard, metal, fluorescent lamps, electronic devices)

Currently the high-priority categories are:

These are growing in global significance, and are of equal concern to businesses, governments, and the general public. Eco-controlling shows one thing clearly: although in recent years significant improvements have been achieved, especially in the impact categories “hazardous materials” and “waste”, there remains potential for further reduction.

The greenhouse effect is another central issue in environmental policy. The potential for improvement of Sarnafil International AG is being appropriately adjusted in response to the forthcoming decision in Switzerland to impose a tax on CO2 emissions in response to the Kyoto Protocol. Consequently this impact category is being targeted for action.