Our stance
What sustainability
means to us
Many companies talk about sustainability. Few show, in concrete terms, what they do, and even fewer are open about what they do not do. We want to do both.
For us, sustainability does not mean buying a carbon offset and printing it as a green seal on the packaging. It means questioning every step of the process: Where does the wood come from? Who produces the charcoal, and under what conditions? How long does the transport take? Which packaging do we use? What happens to production residues?
We ask ourselves these questions every day, and we work continuously to make the answers better. Not perfect, but better. With openness about what works, and honesty about where we still have ground to make up.
"Economic success must never come at the expense of others. Fair working conditions and transparent value creation are fundamental principles, not compromises."
— Manuel Müller, Co-founder Siek-Müller GbR
Three dimensions
Our three
pillars of sustainability
Ecology
Minimal environmental impact through controlled raw materials, conscious production and short transport routes within Europe.
- Exclusively wood from Europe
- Resource-efficient pyrolysis process
- No tropical woods, no questionable imports
- Sustainable forestry with a reforestation obligation
- Minimal packaging, recyclable
Social
Fair wages, safe working conditions and long-term partnerships: with people, not with anonymous supply chains.
- Partner operation with a social foundation
- Fair pay for everyone involved in production
- Long-term supplier relationships
- No child labour, verified, not just promised
- Regulated working hours and occupational safety
Transparency
Full disclosure of the supply chain, the production conditions and the quality criteria: for every customer, on request.
- Batch number on every delivery
- Production documentation available on request
- Open communication about suppliers
- No "secret recipes", clear processes
- Regular updates to our standards
Resources
A conscious approach:
to wood and CO₂
We make no sweeping promises. Here we explain honestly how we handle the subject of CO₂.
Charcoal from sustainably managed forests is favourable across its life cycle: while growing, the wood absorbed a large part of the CO₂ that is released when it is burned. The reforestation obligation ensures that this cycle remains closed.
Transport, packaging and logistics generate further emissions. We deliberately keep these as low as possible and are working to measure our footprint step by step more precisely and to reduce it further.
Wood growth
The wood binds CO₂ as it grows. Sustainable forestry ensures that new trees are planted for every tree removed.
Carbonisation process
Pyrolysis releases part of the CO₂. Through the traditional pyrolysis process, this share is lower than with industrial methods.
Logistics & transport
Short transport routes within Europe. We deliberately keep any remaining emissions as low as possible.
Our commitment
The smallest possible footprint: consciously produced and traceable for you on request.
Transparent supply chain
From the woodland plot
to your grill
No intermediaries without documentation. No anonymous sources. Every step is known, recorded and available on request.
Forest & orchard in Europe
Exclusively selected areas in Europe. For apple wood charcoal: selected orchards with documented origin.
EuropeanFelling & transport to the partner
Documented timber felling with a delivery note. Transport to our partner's production site in Europe.
Fully documentedProduction by our foundation partner
Artisanal carbonisation at the foundation "Fundacja Ramię w Ramię nad Osławą". Fair wages, documented conditions.
Socially verifiedQuality inspection & batch documentation
Every batch receives a unique number. Moisture, purity and single-variety consistency are measured and recorded.
Batch recordDelivery to you, across Germany
Transport with the lowest possible CO₂ footprint. Every delivery includes proof of origin for the batch it contains.
Short routesSocial responsibility
The people behind
our charcoal
Behind every sack of charcoal are people doing their work. We know them, and we stand up for their being treated fairly.
The partnership with the foundation "Fundacja Ramię w Ramię nad Osławą" is not a certificate on paper. It is an active, lasting collaboration with a non-profit partner whose core mission is fair working conditions and social development.
Fair wages, always
Everyone involved in production receives fair, documented pay. No exceptions, no forced piece-rate work.
Safe working conditions
Regulated working hours, protective equipment, inspected production sites. Occupational safety is a basic requirement, not a bonus.
Long-term partnerships
We do not switch suppliers for short-term cost advantages. Reliability on both sides is at the heart of how we do business.
No child labour
Verified through our partner structure with the foundation, not just as a written promise but as a lived standard.
Clear boundaries
What we refuse
True principles also show in what you choose not to do. Here are the boundaries that are non-negotiable for us.
Opaque imported charcoal
Charcoal from countries with unclear origin, unknown production and no evidence of working conditions or environmental standards.
Greenwashing
Carbon offsets as a token gesture without real emission reductions. We work continuously to measure and reduce our emissions honestly.
Mixed charcoal sold as "single-variety"
Printing wood names on products that actually contain mixtures of the most varied wood types. Sorting costs money, but it is non-negotiable.
Low-wage production
Cost pressure carried on the backs of the producers. Quality and fairness go hand in hand: cheap always comes at someone's expense.
Illegal logging
No processing of wood from uncontrolled felling. Every batch is traceable right back to the European woodland plot.
Closed supply chains
"That is a trade secret" does not apply here to the question of where our products come from. Openness is our standard.
Together
Grill more sustainably:
without compromising on flavour
Would you like to learn more about our sustainability standards or request a quote? Get in touch with us.