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ZEISS FOR EYE CARE PROFESSIONALS

Sustainability
with ZEISS Vision Care 

Responsible action has always been linked to our long-term success. As a company of the Carl Zeiss Foundation, we have been living these values for over 100 years. We work with our teams, worldwide, to preserve resources while providing eye care solutions to help people see better.

To fulfill our responsibility, we focus on three major areas:

  • Resource efficiency
  • Sustainable product development
  • Social engagement
Sven Hermann, Head of ZEISS Consumer Markets.
Sustainability is essential Sven Hermann CEO ZEISS Consumer Markets

"With our technologies, products and solutions, we have been influencing the lives of people for many years. And we are fully aligned with our sole owner, the Carl Zeiss Foundation, in understanding that sustainability is essential for the future of humankind, of our customers, our company and our employees."

Working together for a better future Dr. Nicole Ziegler Head of Sustainability ZEISS

"The climate crisis and its impact on our planet is very real. ZEISS wants to be part of the solution."

Resource efficiency

ZEISS is implementing measures to reduce water, energy and plastic use in the production and delivery of eyeglasses. We also work to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions across relevant stages of the value chain, from semi-finished lens manufacturing through final delivery. More than 250 initiatives support these efforts. Their scope, progress and environmental effects vary by initiative and are monitored separately.

Resource Management

In FY 24/25 ZEISS Vision Care recycled over 4.500 tons of waste, the equivalent of the maximum payload of 165 40ft containers. By implementing a major water saving initiative in China, we generated yearly savings of 450 million liters from FY 23/24 on forward. With this amount, the yearly drinking needs of 400.000 people could be satisfied. Additionally, many smaller initiatives are being added yearly, decreasing the water consumption further. By implementing and tracking efficiency measures, we were able to reduce our energy consumption by 1.8 GWh/yr in FY 24/25. This coulc power over 500 German households for a year.

Climate Action

Currently, ZEISS vision Care is procuring 100% green electricity - which represented in FY 23/24 a CO2 reduction of ca. 100k tons (market-based).

ZEISS Vision China Power Hub

SBTi Commitment

As part of the SBTi standard, ZEISS will reduce CO2 emissions in its own processes, as well as up- and downstream with the collaborative support of all valued partners throughout the value chain.

ZEISS has decided to join the worlds most recognized standard for climate action, the Science-Based Target initiative.

Some of our over 600 initiatives

Italy 100% Renewable Energy in Varese1

With a mixture of hydro- and biomass power, the site has been meeting its energy needs through 100 percent renewable sources. The amount of the booked renewable electricity would satisfy the electricity needs of about 1.500 Italian families and contribute to avoid more 1.500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Mexico Reuse of Wastewater in Tijuana2

To counteract water scarcity in specific production regions, the eyeglass lenses plant reuses wastewater from operations processes for uses with lower water quality requirements. This results in an annual avoided water consumption of about 100 m3, the equivalent necessary for satisfying the yearly water drinking needs of 100 people.
Mexiko Process Redesign

93% freshwater reduction: The Mexican lab eliminated tank flushing, filtered and reused lens-rinse water, and redirected residual machine water into other porocesses.
Brasil Renewable energy procurement
Renewable energy procurement in Petrópolis

Renewable energy procurement in Petrópolis6

The plant in the Petrópolis site uses renewable hydropower electricity, allowing the avoidance of about 550 t CO2 per year, an amount similar to the CO2-fixed by a wood of 400 trees.
India Reuse and replenish

95% Water Reuse: Rainwater collection and recycling keep water in the production loop. A community purification partnership expands access to clean drinking water in Devanahalli.
China Power Hub System
Power Hub Team

Centralizing the supply of energy medium with a high-efficient system in the Chinese lab brings energy saving of more than 6,000 MWH per year, water saving of 440 thousand m3 per year.
India Rainwater Recycling
Rainwater Recycling in Bangalore

Rainwater Recycling in Bangalore3

The Bangalore factory collects rainwater on a surface of 1.200 m2 on the factory roof and uses it for lenses production. This way, the avoided consumption of the municipal drinking water, about 690.000 liters a year, is available for the citizens in an area facing water shortage during the drought season.

Product development with a focus on resource efficiency

At ZEISS Vision Care, sustainability is an integral part of product innovation

Our goal is to continuously improve the quality and performance of our products while reducing their environmental impact impact of our materials, products and manufacturing processes.

Resource-Efficient Production

Resource-Efficient Production

Reducing the environmental footprint of production remains a key focus. Across our manufacturing sites, we continuously optimize processes to reduce material consumption, waste generation, water use and energy demand. By improving production parameters and investing in more efficient equipment, we strive to manufacture lenses with fewer resources while maintaining the high quality standards expected from ZEISS.

Giovanni Mateus Rocha Santos, Sustainability Manager ZEISS Vision Care
Giovanni Mateus Rocha Santos Sustainability Manager ZEISS Vision Care

"Our progress in circularity reflects the commitment of our teams worldwide. By combining expertise across the organization, we are turning sustainability goals into tangible results – from reducing water consumption to increasing the use of certified circular materials in our products."

ZEISS social engagement

As a company owned by a foundation, we are committed to social responsibility. Therefore, acting responsibly is one of our corporate values. Our mission: Clear vision for everybody. For this purpose, we support various local initiatives that are dedicated to this topic. Many people don’t have access to any form of eye care, especially in rural areas. The main reason is that most developing or poor regions lack the professional and logistical capacity to deliver vision correction.

  • Angola

    Community Outreach Initiative

    In partnership with CentroOptico, ZEISS supported a community outreach initiative focused on individuals with albinism from underserved families. The program provided comprehensive eye examinations to patients, while ZEISS donated prescription lenses free of charge to help improve visual comfort, protection, and overall quality of life.

  • Brazil

    Cataract Treatment Support

    ZEISS participated in Brazil’s 58th Expedition of the Expedicionários da Saúde, serving the Indigenous Community of Maués (AM), by donating intraocular lenses for surgeries as well as loaning advanced diagnostic and therapeutic laser equipment, treating hundreds of patients with ZEISS IOLs and performing many life-changing surgeries.

  • China

    Hope Project: Protecting Big Eyes

    In November 2025, ZEISS Vision Care China partnered with the China Youth Development Foundation. Through vision screenings, educational sessions, and interactive activities, the program promotes eye health awareness among children and families. In 2026, the initiative expanded through 10 public welfare events across China, reaching schools, community service centers, and youth activity centers.

  • Czech Republic & Slovakia

    Vision Screening Tent Project

    Working with local eye care professionals, a mobile vision screening initiative provided accessible vision checks to more than 1,150 people across the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The project supported early identification of vision needs and helped increase awareness of the importance of eye health.

  • India and Nepal

    Aloka Vision Programme

    ZEISS, together with qualified optometrists from Aloka, carries out vision screenings and refractions, manages the production and distribution of custom-made eyewear, and provides support with ophthalmological treatment costs. In the year 2025/26, Aloka Vision Programme reached 2.02 million patients (previous year: 1.85 million).

  • India

    Eye camps

    From schools and workplaces to residential communities, ZEISS-supported eye camps brought vision care closer to people across India. Reaching more than 80,000 individuals, the initiative promoted eye health awareness, preventive care, and the early identification of vision problems through professional screenings.

  • Italy

    "See You in Class"

    Through this initiative, ZEISS Vision Care Italy helped raise awareness of eye health among young students across Italy. Reaching 22,500 pupils in 1,000 primary school classes, the program combined education, prevention, and family engagement to promote lifelong visual health.

  • Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Society of Optometry (SSO)

    ZEISS signed a partnership agreement with SSCO aimed at advancing eye care and optometric development in the Kingdom. As part of the initiative, ZEISS provided a research grant to support scientific research, professional education, and the continued advancement of optometry and visual health practices in Saudi Arabia.

  • Senegal

    Communiy Eye Clinic

    In 2023 ZEISS Vision Care Spain, Dentists on Wheels and the Cione Ruta de la Luz Foundation opened the first community eye clinic in Missirah, Senegal. The clinic improves access to vision care for more than 10,000 people through local services, training and modern equipment.

  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines

    Life-Changing Care Through Sight for Life

    ZEISS donations help Sight for Life perform more than 90 glaucoma, pterygium, and cataract surgeries, and provide more than 700 non-surgical treatments. Each surgery and patient seen by Sight for Life during the organization’s week on the island represents restored vision and renewed hope for someone and the family who depends on them.

  • United Arab Emirates

    Special Olympics 2026 

    In collaboration with the United Optometrist Forum (UOF), ZEISS supported the Special Olympics through comprehensive vision screening services for participating athletes.

  • United Arab Emirates

    Kids Nursery Screening

    ZEISS partnered with a local eye care clinic to conduct a vision screening program across multiple nursery locations in the UAE. The initiative provided vision assessments for both children and nursery staff, helping identify potential visual concerns at an early stage while reinforcing the importance of regular eye examinations and visual health awareness.

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  • 1

    Source: for consumption, internal data monitoring for the FY2021; *2021, ISTAT, referred to 2018-2019, Italy.
  • 2

    Source: for consumption, internal data monitoring for the FY2021; *2011, WHO.
  • 3

    Source: for consumption, internal data monitoring for the FY2020; *2011, WHO.
  • 4

    Source: for energy recovery, internal data assessment for the FY2021; *2021, IEA.
  • 5

    Source: https://www.zeiss.com/vision-care/int/about-us/newsroom/topic-hub/sustainability/sustainability-and-economic-success-in-harmony.html.
  • 6

    Source: for consumption, internal data monitoring for the FY2021; *Adapted from EC, 2010, Guidelines implementation land carbon stock.
  • 7

    Source: internal data monitoring for the FY2021.
  • 8

    Source: Going green: sustainability in the optical sector: https://www.insightnews.com.au/going-green-sustainability-in-the-optical-sector/