Corporate press release
GEA further boosts leadership position in TIME magazine’s “World Most Sustainable Companies” Ranking
June 27, 2025
For the second consecutive year, TIME Magazine and Statista jointly published their ranking of the “World's Most Sustainable Companies”. With a position as global number 12 in a list of 500 firms, GEA scored exceptionally high in the overall ranking. Furthermore, the Company secured second place amongst all 22 German firms on the list. GEA already achieved a strong position in the past year’s edition of the ranking and now further advanced by 21 positions.
- GEA achieves top spot in renowned global ranking of 500 most sustainable companies by TIME Magazine and Statista
- GEA achieves global rank of #12, placing the company in the ranking’s top 3%, following an already strong #33 position from last year
- Nationally, GEA is ranked as second most sustainable company in Germany
“A commitment to bold sustainability objectives is an essential part of our DNA at GEA. Therefore, I am delighted about this latest recognition,” says Stefan Klebert, CEO of GEA. “In addition to our deeply felt responsibility for future generations, sustainability is also a key business driver for GEA. When customers adopt our technologies, they can achieve efficiency gains that directly impact their bottom line – and simultaneously benefit the environment,” adds Dr. Nadine Sterley, Chief Sustainability officer at GEA.
From a global sample of more than 5,000 companies in 21 industries, the ranking identified the 500 companies with the best sustainability performance, measured by more than 20 data points. The top placement of GEA is based on a total score of 83.05 out of a possible 100 points. The scoring aggregates the performance across four primary areas: sustainable business practices, corporate commitments and ratings, reporting standards and transparency, and environmental and social stewardship initiatives.
Proven sustainability track record
GEA successfully implements ambitious sustainability strategy, with both its medium- and long-term climate targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Last year, GEA became the first company in the DAX index family to secure far-reaching shareholder approval for its Climate Transition Plan 2040, paving the way for net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2040.
The Company’s sustainability leadership is further recognized through its inclusion in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index and its EcoVadis Platinum status, awarded to only one percent of the companies assessed. Earlier this year, GEA established the GEA Foundation, thereby firmly institutionalizing its commitment to donate one percent of net profits annually.
“A commitment to bold sustainability objectives is an essential part of our DNA at GEA. Therefore, I am delighted about this latest recognition.”
Stefan Klebert
CEO of GEA
Matthias Schnettler
About GEA
GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. For instance, every second pharma separator for essential healthcare products such as vaccines or novel biopharmaceuticals is produced by GEA. In food, every fourth package of pasta or every third chicken nugget are processed with GEA technology. With more than 18,000 employees, the Group generated revenues of about EUR 5.4 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2024 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customers’ production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world.”
GEA is listed on the German MDAX, the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is also a constituent of the leading sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability and Dow Jones Best-in-Class World.
GEA is listed on the German MDAX, the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is also a constituent of the leading sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability and Dow Jones Best-in-Class World.
