Q&A:
LACROIX’s positive impact actions

Do LACROIX products has a positive impact?

We have set up the LACROIX Impact Score tool to determine whether our products contribute to the ecological transition. To be considered as having an impact, a product must contribute to at least one of the 6 environmental and social benefits directly inspired by the European Taxonomy:

• Water
• Energy and decarbonation
• Pollution
• Health, human and animal safety
• Biodiversity
• Circular economy and resources conservation

How can we quantify the benefits of our solutions?

In a landscape increasingly filled with technological solutions claiming to have an “impact”, it is crucial for LACROIX to accurately measure the net effect of its products, i.e. the difference between the benefits they deliver and their environmental footprint.

To achieve this, we have developed a project footprint quantification tool based on the Empreinte Projet method, to be published by ADEME in 2021.

The first use case we studied was the Trame Sombre street lighting project for the town of Douai, in northern France.

What are the main ecodesign issues for LACROIX products? 

The challenge is to reduce the carbon footprint of our products by starting by focusing on durability, service life, weight reduction and hazardous materials, low energy consumption …

By structuring a Group-wide approach, we aim to systematize and strengthen the practice of eco-design in all our activities.

How does LACROIX take ecodesign into account in the development of its products?

Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) are systematically performed when developing a product compared to a previous version or equivalent product.

We have developed an eco-design brick at the heart of our product development process.

Does LACROIX have greenhouse gas emission reduction targets?

In 2023, LACROIX’s carbon footprint amounted to 3.57 million tonnes of CO2e. The biggest source of GHG emissions is the energy consumption of our products throughout their entire life cycle (78%).

In March 2023, we made a commitment to the Science Based Targets Initiative to set GHG emission reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement.
To quantify these targets, which will commit us for the next ten years, we are currently building our low-carbon trajectory as part of the ACT Step by Step program, in partnership with ADEME.

What CSR actions exist for energy purchases?

For example, our Symbiose plant in France uses solar panels, and our site in Willich, Germany, procures only renewable electricity from hydraulic sources.

In 2023, LACROIX joined the Board of Directors of the SCIC Estuaire Energies. This cooperative brings together several Loire Atlantique companies to make group purchases and promote the purchase and local production of renewable energy.

What actions are in place to promote diversity, equity and inclusion?

Diversity is a source of performance.

The Women @ LACROIX mentorship program was set up in 2023 to encourage women to enter technological careers and to support women in LACROIX’s positions to become managers.

In 2022, the percentage of women managers is 23%. The goal is to reach 40% by 2030.

How does the Group assess employees’ perception of their working conditions?

The company is committed to advancing its managerial practices and quality of life at work at each of its sites. Employee satisfaction has been assessed for several years with the LACROIX &YOU internal survey. In 2022, the Great Place To Work survey was tested at 3 pilot sites. In 2023, 83% of employees took part in the Great Place to Work survey and 28% of our sites were awarded the label, i.e. 5 sites out of 18.

Our collective goal is to be GPTW certified at all our sites by 2030.

What are LACROIX’s commitments regarding our sector and territories?

Vincent Bedouin, CEO of LACROIX, is vice-president of the electronics sector in France. LACROIX also plays an active role in several sectoral bodies such as Technocampus, French Tech, Mauges 2050, Forum Economique Breton. We have also implemented a Committed Site Engagement Initiative with different CSR themes (energy, waste, food, mobility, working comfort) worked on 100% of the Group’s sites.