Daily CSR
Daily CSR

Daily CSR
Daily news about corporate social responsibility, ethics and sustainability

HARMAN Unveils Aura Studio 4: Premium Sound, Sustainable Design



04/30/2024


HARMAN Unveils Aura Studio 4: Premium Sound, Sustainable Design
At HARMAN, our dedication lies in crafting inventive solutions responsibly, enriching society, our clientele, partners, and communities alike. As we observe Earth Month, we reassert our commitment to advancing sustainable business practices, deeply ingrained within HARMAN’s essence and steering every choice we make. Sustainability is not just a component of our mission; it’s one of our foundational principles guiding our journey to foster a more connected, entertaining, personalized, and productive world for all. Aligned with our Sound Purpose global ESG platform, we have set ambitious sustainability objectives and devised actionable strategies to achieve them.
 
Here's a closer look at some recent sustainability milestones as we progress toward a greener, more sustainable future for future generations:
 
  • Renewable Energy in Operations**: To support our growth while upholding sustainability, we manufacture our dependable products in state-of-the-art facilities designed to minimize environmental impact. Our new HARMAN Professional Solutions manufacturing plant in Pécs, Hungary, exemplifies this commitment by utilizing geothermal energy for heating and cooling and solar power for electricity, advancing our environmental objectives for the coming decade. Additionally, we procure renewable energy for our manufacturing plants as part of our journey toward 100% renewable electricity. Initiatives such as installing solar panels at our HARMAN Mexico manufacturing plant in Queretaro and HARMAN India manufacturing plant in Pune have significantly reduced emissions, with the Queretaro facility alone covering 9% of its electricity consumption with renewable energy, resulting in an annual reduction of 960 tonnes of CO2e emissions.
 
  • Highlighting Our Carbon Reduction Initiatives**: Through our collaboration with DSV, we've achieved a notable environmental milestone by reducing 10 tonnes of CO2e emissions in our air freight transport through the use of biofuels derived from sustainable sources.
 
  • Planet v Plastics: Sustainable Packaging & Products**: We're proud of the substantial strides made in advancing our sustainable packaging initiative in recent years. Our product development and packaging practices now prioritize the use of soy ink printing and minimize the reliance on virgin plastic wherever feasible. Furthermore, we've implemented measures to reduce power consumption, weight, and heat generation during the packaging process.

Our teams consistently innovate to enhance the sustainability of our products while maintaining the exceptional performance and quality standards expected from HARMAN by our customers. A prime example of this commitment is the Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4, which seamlessly integrates premium sound with sustainable design principles to contribute to environmental preservation.
 
Throughout the development phase, our design team drew inspiration from nature, recognizing its inherent power, which led to the creation of the Aura Studio 4. Crafted with elegance, this speaker incorporates recycled materials, blending modern design with superior sound quality, offering users a multi-sensory experience.
 
Setting a new standard within our product range, the Aura Studio 4 incorporates sustainability at its core. Its speaker grille fabric is woven from 100% recycled polyester yarn, all aluminum used is 100% recycled, and 85% of the speaker housing is made from post-consumer recycled plastic. Moreover, it is packaged in FSC-certified paper printed with soy ink.
 
Furthermore, HARMAN has upgraded our popular JBL line of portable speakers, with models like the JBL Xtreme 4, JBL Clip 5, and JBL Go 4 now featuring recycled fabric and plastic, alongside enhanced Bluetooth capabilities. These latest offerings not only prioritize environmental consciousness but also deliver improved sound quality and come in new color options for an enriched listening experience.
 
Sustainability remains a continual focus at HARMAN, not just during Earth Month or Earth Day but throughout the year and beyond. We are dedicated to integrating sustainable and responsible practices into our operations, aiming to positively impact the communities where we operate and reside. While we've made significant progress, our sustainability journey continues. Stay tuned for updates later this year on our ongoing efforts, progress, and new initiatives.