November 8, 2017

Fortune magazine has included Grohe, part of LIXIL, in this year’s Change the World ranking. The list includes 50 international companies whose business strategies have a demonstrably positive impact on society. In the assessment, Fortune and its partners evaluated the quantifiable social benefit, economic viability and degree of innovation of different companies. Grohe is the only company in the plumbing industry to be included on the list.

In its decision statement, Fortune commended Grohe’s commitment to saving water and energy, as well as to avoiding waste. In particular, Fortune noted the recycling of 99 percent of the water needed to manufacture Grohe kitchen and bathroom faucets. Specifically named in the official decision statement is Grohe Blue, the kitchen faucet system that reduces CO2 emissions by 60 percent as compared to bottled mineral water. It delivers delicious filtered water chilled to the perfect drinking temperature in three options – still, medium or sparkling – at the touch of a button.

“We are overjoyed at this accolade and very proud,” said Grohe CEO Michael Rauterkus. “To be the only decorative plumbing company to appear in the international Change the World ranking is a great honor for us. Sustainability has always been an integral part of our company’s DNA. We will continue to contribute to sustainability with our innovative products and technologies, so that future generations will also have the opportunity to experience the ‘Pure Freude an Wasser’ without worries.”

Earlier this year, the company was awarded the CSR Award of the German Federal Government for particularly sustainable business.

“Addressing the social challenge of reducing water and energy consumption is a driving motivation behind the product innovations and technologies that our LIXIL brands create,” said Steven Delarge, president and CEO of LIXIL Americas, the business unit under which Grohe operates in North America. “We know that our global business can grow, while the resources we consume declines, making this a truly win-win for our stakeholders and the environment.”