How does Luter Carry Out Green Operations !

The following interview is about Luter Enterprise Co., Ltd.’s view on ESG issues regarding company operation, management, and products design, etc.

Being the leading lock designer and exporter in Taiwan's architectural hardware industry for many years, Luter is committed to fulfill environmental protection and social responsibilities and have been practicing green operation since 2022. Mr. Chih Ju Chou, the founder of Luter Enterprise Co., Ltd., is also the chairman of the "NCHU Association of Sustainable Development".

Q:How does Luter Carry Out Green Operations?

A:Excessive resource consumption and greenhouse gas emission led to global warming and climate change. To be responsible for the environment, Luter Enterprise Co., Ltd. and other enterprises around the world are committed to saving energy, reducing carbon, and developing circle economy.

Green operations are the integration of corporate environmental management strategies into corporate production and operations to enhance corporate sustainability.

It has been demonstrated by existing studies as an important tool to improve corporate environmental performance and reach sustainable development goals.

Being a leading developer of lock designers in architectural hardware industry, Luter not only takes into account of corporate sustainability, but also be responsible for the environment. We are committed to developing and innovating green technologies on “process and materials”, and focusing on "saving resources", "saving electricity", "reducing energy consumption" and “developing circular economy” as long-term goals of green environmental protection development.

Q:What principles does Luter follow to promote Sustainable Products Design?

A:For Luter, the management of all internal resources and personnel, cooperation with supply chain, inventory control management, etc., all belong to the design processes.

At the product design stage, Luter will follow the principles of circular economy. Using recyclable and environmental friendly materials to manufacture products with high durability and long life cycle. Here are our principles for making sustainable products:1.Durability, maintainability, reusability.2.Life cycle assessment.3.Products repaired, reused and recycled.4.Replace controversial materials.5.Consider the significance of sustainability on products’ design.

The priorities of Luter’s design are to evaluate the life cycle of products, increase the percentage of materials that are reusable and recyclable, improve the serviceability of products and enhance the energy efficiency of Luter’s products continuously. Additionally, while designing sustainable products, Luter will also consider the develop of technology, the vary of supplier chain and demand of Clients.

Q:What are Luter’s Sustainable Products?

A:Luter has been dedicated to producing architectural hardware products for many years. We noticed that in addition to people who have mobility issues, there is a growing number of aging populations in most countries. This suggests that the demand for ADA capabilities will increase gradually in the future.

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was published in 1990 and became the law to ensure the rights of people with disabilities. The purpose of the law is to reduce the possibilities of discrimination that could happened in all areas of public life.

Considering the above, Luter launched a series of products that met the ADA standards and requirements.

Q:What are Luter’s Green Materials for Sustainable Development?

A:Countries and enterprises around the world are declaring the goal of "net zero carbon emission". In addition to promoting motorized/electric vehicles, encouraging zero carbon building (ZCB), new green energy or renewable energy are actively being developed. The most important element to achieving these goals is related to the “materials” being used.

When selecting green materials with longer life cycle, more energy saving and carbon reduction capabilities, “stainless steel” is definitely one of the answers. The characteristics of stainless steel includes higher heat and corrosion resistance, higher strength and also being recyclable. Its long life cycle makes it an ideal environmental performer compared to other materials. Luter is committed to being a pioneer in researching and developing innovative and eco-friendly stainless steel products with high performance to meet the needs of environmental protection and achieve sustainable development. We will do our best to contribute to environmental sustainability.

Q:Why did Luter Select Stainless Steel?

A:Stainless steel is the most commonly used green material. It is theoretically 100% recyclable, and most of the stainless steel is resourced from scrap materials. Recycled stainless steel has the same quality as the original, and with the same value.

Since stainless steel is not coated with any toxic material, it does not produce toxic substances while in use or during production. Even if it is not being reused or recycled but to be disposed, it will have no damaging effect to the soil or groundwater. Comparing with other materials, stainless steel has minimal impact on the environment. It’s the circular economy of metal.

Under the innovating green technologies for process, Luter’s prime products, Mortise Locksets, are made of 43% stainless steel originally and up to 65% nowadays. The Lever Handle sets, are made of even more stainless steel from 85% originally to 90% nowadays. Additionally, the finish electroplating have also been upgraded from using traditional yellow zinc plated to low-toxic electro galvanization. All the changes we’ve done are for ensuring Luter’s products are more reliable and eco-friendly.

Q:How does Luter Implement Environmental Protection on Package Material?

A:To reduce the impact on the environment and achieve waste reduction, choosing package materials is a big issue. To achieve environmental sustainability and fulfil corporate social responsibility, Luter focuses on the following principles: only using recyclable package materials made of PE or paper, instead of PVC materials; Reduction of applying numerous cushioning materials and sealing tapes while packing; Reusing packaging materials, including plastic bag, paper white boxes, cardboard boxes, cartons, and pallets. Our goal is to thoroughly execute reuse/recycle package materials to reduce carbon footprints.

Q:How does Luter Work with its Supply Chain?

A:Luter is committed to cooperate with our supply chain by a high standard on social, environmental, and ethical issues. We are adapting to the practice of Responsible Business Alliance Code of Conduct to ensure that working conditions of supply chain are safe, the workers are treated with respect, have human dignity, and that business operations are responsible environmentally and conducted ethically.

Q:What are Luter’s ESG Goals?

A:Luter established short term and long term goals in accordance with the ESG regulations.

In the short term, we aim to save energy, reduce carbon footprint, reduce waste, and fulfill our corporate social responsibilities.

In the long term, we will discover more environmental friendly green materials to produce high-value green products through saving energy, developing a circular economy, and making Luter a sustainable green enterprise.

Journalist: SY.Chen

Interviewee: Chih Ju Chou / Founder of Luter Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Yu Chen Chan / Product Manager of Luter Enterprise Co., Ltd.