Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental impact of operations
• Employee well-being and community relations
• Circular economy
• Climate impact
• Ethical and transparent business practices

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced water consumption at Tessutica by more than half (from 2696 m³ in 2017 to 1266 m³ in 2021)
• Collected 2797 m³ of rainwater at Oostrozebeke site, reusing 90% for rinsing and 10% for sanitary use
• Achieved 5% water reuse share in total water consumption
• Successfully integrated 5% waste content in monofilaments in the Recyarn project
• Reduced CO2 emissions related to Rewind carpet production by 55%
• Installed 17,000 new solar panels at Belgian sites, generating 8,200 MWh of energy
• Achieved a 49% drop in CO2 emissions through multimodal freight transport between Belgium and Poland
• Reduced plastic foil thickness by 3 tonnes annually

Social Achievements

• Launched B.I.G. University for employee development with 7 academies
• Implemented B.I.G. Jump internal mobility campaign
• Established employee referral program
• Improved workplace settings, including transforming the roof of Juteks administrative building into a recreation area
• Implemented Energize2GROW program focusing on employee well-being
• Created individual return-to-work programs for injured or ill employees
• Provided financial support to employees affected by Hurricane Ida
• Supported various community initiatives in Acton Vale, Canada
• Hosted internships for students in sustainable development
• Achieved 0 work-related injuries at Juteks Slovenia in 2021

Governance Achievements

• Created a Code of Conduct for Suppliers in 2021
• Updated Code of Business Conduct and Ethics with mandatory e-learning
• Improved EcoVadis rating through various sustainability initiatives

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Water scarcity and pollution
• High energy consumption in extrusion processes
• Waste management
• Raw material price volatility and supply shortages
• Climate change impacts (hurricanes, floods, winter storms)
• Maintaining a consistent sustainability agenda across multiple global locations

Mitigation Strategies

• Initiatives to responsibly source water, decrease consumption, and increase reuse
• Collaboration with KU Leuven to optimize energy consumption in extrusion
• Focus on waste reduction, reuse, and recycling
• Investment in responsible sourcing of raw materials, including recycled and renewable materials
• Investment in renewable energy sources and multimodal freight transport
• Open communication and collaboration across all locations

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Code of Conduct for Suppliers

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Extreme weather events (hurricanes, floods)

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes
• Market shifts

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products and processes
• Investment in renewable energy

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001, Cradle to Cradle Certified (Rewind carpet)

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Rewind carpet
• Eqobalance yarns
• Senses flooring

Awards & Recognition

• Industry Trophy from Société Industrielle Nord de France (SINF) for health and safety efforts

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Sustainability

Environmental Achievements

• Komen site equipped with solar panels, along with several other sites in Belgium.
• Minimum waste production with an in-house recycling service.
• Increased the total share of recycled material in Distriplast products by 13%, reaching 2,712 tons of externally recycled PP (rPP).
• Developed a sustainable product line for the construction industry using 50% to 62% rPP in black corrugated sheets.

Social Achievements

• Launched the first Global Engagement Survey, with 76% employee participation and a 73% engagement score.
• Implemented Bonusly, a peer-to-peer recognition platform, at Pinnacle.
• Launched a Global Safety Campaign.
• Organized Salesforce training for team members.
• Established the Innovation Factory for knowledge sharing.
• Internal mobility policy resulted in 500 internal promotions in 2022.
• Unique training program in collaboration with Vlerick Business School.

Governance Achievements

• Appointed a Group Sustainability Director.
• Established a Core Sustainability Team and Centers of Excellence.
• Defined a clear methodology with KPIs and quantitative targets for sustainability.
• Implemented a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and an Anti-Bribery Compliance Policy, with web-based training for white-collar employees.
• Established a Code of Conduct for Suppliers.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Oversupply in the market (Flooring and Polymers).
• High inflation in raw materials, labor, transportation, and energy costs.
• Reduced overall market demand due to post-COVID consumption shifts and inflation.
• Competition from Asia.
• Hurricane damage at Pinnacle in 2021.
• COVID-19 impact on B.I.G. Yarns China operations.
• Armed conflict in Ukraine impacting partnerships and demand.
• Decline in the European tufted carpet market.

Mitigation Strategies

• Contingency plans and output adjustments.
• Price management and price increases.
• Investments in new production lines and capacity expansion (HPF, digital printing, Rewind®).
• Focus on price management and raising prices.
• Refined go-to-market approach and new market applications.
• Extra support in operations, supply chains, and sales.
• Relocating Heatset activities from Komen to Comines.
• Acquisition of Act Global.
• Investing in sustainable solutions.
• Developing new solutions for artificial grass customers and the solar energy industry.
• Increased usage of recycled materials.
• Developing sustainable product lines.
• Internal mobility and employee training programs.
• Hedging strategies for currency and commodity risks.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Code of Conduct for Suppliers

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Rewind® circular carpet
• Sustainable product line for construction industry using recycled PP
• PET yarns for sustainable automotive interiors

Awards & Recognition

• 2022 UFI Industry Partners Award for Rewind® circular carpet transformation project

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Impact
• Employee Value
• Circular Economy
• Climate Impact
• Responsible Business Conduct

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced CO2e emissions by 4% vs 2022
• Reduced energy consumption by 17% compared to 2021
• Increased renewable energy share to 16%
• Valorized ~67% of waste (up 8% compared to 2022)
• 18 of 20 B.I.G. sites are already at zero waste to landfill

Social Achievements

• Employee Engagement Score increased to 74% (+1% from 2022)
• Safety Score improved
• Accident Risk Rate reached a historic low of 1.17
• 21% of employees moved to a new role within B.I.G. in 2023
• Launched a Speak Up platform for reporting harassment, corruption, etc.

Governance Achievements

• Improved EcoVadis Sustainability Assessment score
• Established a Real Estate Committee
• Launched a web-based ethics training for white-collar employees
• Implemented a new third-party risk management (TPRM) methodology

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Adverse market conditions leading to financial results below expectations
• Increased competition from low-cost imports
• Geopolitical instability, high inflation, low consumer confidence, reduced building activity, steep energy prices
• Low global GDP growth impacting key markets
• Pressure on sales prices due to more favorable raw material and energy prices

Mitigation Strategies

• Implemented cost reductions
• Strictly managed inventories and investments
• Reduced working capital by 45.6 million euro
• Intensified efforts to enhance positions in attractive market segments
• Prioritized long-term investments in innovation and sustainability

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Sustainability assessment of key suppliers accounting for 80% of total spend

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier Code of Conduct
• Sanctions screenings
• Third-party risk management assessment

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products
• Magnifield ground covers boosting bifacial solar panel performance

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: CSRD, UN Global Compact

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001

Third-party Assurance: KPMG

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
• SDG 13 (Climate Action)

Various initiatives throughout the report align with these SDGs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Magnifield ground covers
• RECOVER groundcover
• Corrugated sheets with recycled polypropylene
• Sustainable polyamide yarns
• LVT flooring with recycled PVC
• Rewind event carpet
• EqoYarn

Awards & Recognition

• Beaulieu of Australia won National Soft Flooring Supplier of the Year