Hilti

The facility incorporates inclusive design features under DGNB’s sociocultural criteria.

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Hilti Manufacturing India’s facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, has become the first industrial plant in India to receive the DGNB Gold Certification from the German Sustainable Building Council.

The DGNB certification assesses buildings throughout their life cycle—covering planning, construction, operation, and decommissioning. It evaluates sustainability based on environmental performance, economic efficiency, and social impact. The Vadodara plant meets these criteria through features such as energy-efficient systems, water recycling, biodiversity support, and inclusive design.

Giridhar Jambunathan, CEO, Hilti Manufacturing India, stated, “From the outset, our goal with the Vadodara plant was to go beyond compliance and set a new benchmark for industrial construction in India. DGNB’s framework provided us the right balance of environmental, economic, and social metrics to guide that ambition.”

The plant includes a chilled beam and radiant floor HVAC system that uses water as its cooling medium and operates in convection mode. Passive cooling features—such as shading devices and insulated roofs—further reduce energy demand. A central building management system tracks and manages performance.

Ecological measures include a 1500 MWh photovoltaic installation for renewable power generation, a zero-discharge water system, and a Miyawaki forest covering 25% of the site area. The company has also taken steps to reduce light pollution.

The facility incorporates inclusive design features under DGNB’s sociocultural criteria. These include barrier-free access, gender-sensitive facilities, indoor air quality testing, and acoustic comfort. On-site amenities for employees and transport staff include fitness areas, a childcare facility, and common spaces.

Johannes Kreißig, Managing Director of the DGNB, said, “Hilti is playing a truly pioneering role here, as the project in India is the first ever to be awarded DGNB certification in that country.”The Vadodara site adds to Hilti’s other DGNB-certified facilities in Austria and Hungary. The company has integrated sustainable design into its facility development plans since 2010.