A step forward with Jan Rensen
At NEDCON, innovation is not just about technological advancements, it is also about creating a more sustainable future. A significant step in this journey is the appointment of Jan Rensen as our new Sustainability Officer. In this role, he oversees everything related to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) within NEDCON. But who is Jan and what drives him in this new role?
From intern to Sustainability Officer
Jan’s journey at NEDCON began as an intern. His research on CO₂ emissions in sheet metal processing suppliers sparked his interest in sustainability. After his internship, he became a Sales Engineer, but sustainability remained a recurring theme in his work.
“Sustainability was not something I was working on full-time at the time, but the topic kept coming up,” Jan explains. “When the opportunity arose to take on the role of Sustainability Officer, it felt like a logical and exciting step.”
In his new role, Jan focuses on three key pillars: environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance (ESG). “My task is to further integrate sustainability into our daily processes, starting with supporting the sales of Greensteel. We need to look beyond just the environmental aspect and consider the social and governance dimensions of sustainability. There is already a lot going well, but there is still much to gain.”
Why sustainability is essential for NEDCON
Sustainability is no longer just a trend, customers are increasingly demanding it. One of NEDCON’s key initiatives is Voestalpine’s GreenTec Steel (Greensteel) production. This innovative steel, made from recycled materials and produced through a more energy-efficient process, significantly reduces CO₂ emissions.
“By 2027, Voestalpine will transition to a fully electric production process, leading to a major reduction in CO₂ emissions and eventually enabling CO₂-neutral production. This presents us with a tremendous opportunity to further enhance the sustainability of our product offerings.”
Challenges and opportunities
Sustainability must be more than just a good intention, it has to become an integral part of our work.
“The biggest challenge? Ensuring that sustainability isn’t seen as an ‘extra task’ but as a natural part of how we operate.” However, Jan sees plenty of opportunities: “By widely integrating Greensteel, we can make a real impact. The more transparent we are about our efforts, the better we can convince customers of the benefits of a greener approach.”
Working together for a more sustainable NEDCON
Sustainability is not a solo project, it requires collaboration at all levels.
“NEDCON is an organization where teamwork is at the core. Everyone is willing to support each other, even colleagues who do not work on sustainability daily. That makes a real difference. We need to see sustainability as an opportunity to work smarter, more efficiently and greener.”
With Jan as our Sustainability Officer, we are taking a big step forward together. Do you have ideas on this topic? Jan is always open to questions and suggestions. Feel free to contact him.