Ontex Group NV
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2012-2014, 2013 to 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022)
Reporting Period: 2012-2014
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- MOLTEX Nature no.1 diaper won the “Green Brand” seal of quality and came second place in the “product” category of the annual ECOCARE Awards.
- Entire “Serenity” product range certified with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) in 2013.
- Reduced raw materials by 3% and packaging materials by 5% from 2009 to 2014 (with exceptions in some categories).
Social Achievements
- Established a new Group-level HR function to improve global people management.
- Segovia, Spain facility received the Workplace Conditions Assessment Award from Intertek with a score of 94%.
- Launched a health and safety campaign with safety-themed photographs featuring employees’ children.
Governance Achievements
- Implemented a Group-wide Compliance Program covering policies, procedures, training, risk prioritization, monitoring, investigation, and reporting.
- Achieved high scores (85% to 98%) on a questionnaire about the Business Code of Conduct and business integrity policies.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Certify one additional production site to ISO 14001 in 2016 and two additional production sites to ISO 50001 in 2015.
- Reduce the carbon footprint of logistics by 20% by 2017 (2012 baseline).
Environmental Challenges
- Significant environmental impact from the industry (trees for pulp, energy demand, waste, distribution).
- Limited access to hygiene products in some parts of the world.
- Building and maintaining awareness of sustainability throughout the organization.
Mitigation Strategies
- Improving eco-efficiency of products, production processes, and logistics.
- Establishing production facilities in various parts of the world to increase access.
- Publishing a Sustainability Report to emphasize commitment and build awareness.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Sustainability questions in supplier audits
- Sustainability questionnaire for suppliers
- Chain-of-custody certificates
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI G4 guidelines, Core option
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 9001
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- MOLTEX Nature no.1 diaper
- Eco-design products
Awards & Recognition
- Green Brand Award – MOLTEX
- Second place ECOCARE Awards – MOLTEX Nature no.1
- Workplace Conditions Assessment Award – Segovia plant
Reporting Period: 2013 to 2015
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- 25% reduction in the weight of premium Ontex baby diapers over 15 years
- 60% of plants + Ontex HQ certified to ISO 14001 environmental management system
- 40% of plants + Ontex HQ certified to ISO 50001 energy management system
- 100% of our pulp originates from sustainable resources
Social Achievements
- Launched 'Caring4You' employee well-being program
- 85% of employees are engaged, understand and believe in company goals
- 30% more employees participated in compliance training in 2015 compared to 2014
Governance Achievements
- Established Local Compliance Charters
- Established Compliance Steering Committee
- Implemented Group Speak-up Policy
Climate Goals & Targets
- Vision 2020: To be a socially responsible partner for consumers, customers, employees and shareholders by 2020
- At least 50% of plants OHSAS 18001 certified by 2020
- Specific energy consumption reduction: 10% by 2020 (vs 2015)
- Zero waste from production sent to landfill by 2020
- 100% response to yearly sustainability questionnaire from advanced and partner suppliers (by 2020)
- Launch the Partnership Tracker including sustainability and aim for commitment (and actions) from all suppliers (by 2020)
- Accomplish a yearly sustainability program with our partner suppliers (by 2020)
- Reduce raw material and packaging use per product (by 2020)
- 100% compliance with defined product safety rules in audits (by 2020)
- 100% documented safety clearance on active used materials (by 2020)
- Determine corporate values (by end of 2015)
- Conduct employee engagement survey (by end of 2015)
Environmental Challenges
- Role-modeling sustainability at all levels of Ontex
- Expanding sustainability focus beyond cost savings to include ecological and social aspects
- Considering the entire value chain, from suppliers to product end-of-life
Mitigation Strategies
- Vision 2020 to embed sustainability throughout the organization
- Initiatives to better understand markets and consumers to create desired products and services
- Partnership Program to assess and improve supplier relationships, including sustainability criteria
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 55 organizations evaluated in 2015 based on Supplier Code of Conduct
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Partnership Program
- Partnership Tracker
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI G4 guidelines, Core option
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 (planned for 2016 at HQ and Turkey)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Eco-diapers
Reporting Period: 2016
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Sustainable Growth
- People at the Heart
- Human Rights and Business Ethics
- Responsible Production
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced carbon emissions by 28% between 2014 and 2015
- 99% of cotton comes from organic sources
- 100% of wood-based fiber comes from certified or controlled sources
- 89% of waste recycled or incinerated for energy recovery in 2016
- Reduced CO2 emissions per cargo unit by 9.3% in 2016
Social Achievements
- 5,500 people joined adult care training program
- 85% of employees agree Ontex looks after its people and the environment
- 7 manufacturing sites supported local social initiatives
- Zero fatalities across all Ontex sites
Governance Achievements
- 59% of direct spend material suppliers signed the Supplier Code of Conduct by the end of 2016
- International Compliance Day launched
- Over 56% of employees responded to voluntary online compliance questionnaire with an average score of 98%
Climate Goals & Targets
- Zero production waste to landfill by 2020
- All main production plants conform to SA8000 by 2025
- All main production sites certified to ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 by 2020
- Reduce scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 20% compared with 2015 by 2020
- Reduce electricity consumption by 10% compared with 2016 by 2020
- 100% of electricity from sustainable sources by 2020
- 50% of main production sites OHSAS 18001 certified by 2020
- Accident frequency rate below 6.5 by 2020
- All fiber to originate from certified or controlled sources by end of 2017
- All cotton used in tampons to come from organic resources by end of 2018
- All direct spend suppliers to have signed Code of Conduct by end of 2017
- Achieve CDP rating of B by end of 2017
- Reduce CO2 emissions of goods transport by 20% compared with 2012 by end of 2017
Environmental Challenges
- 7.63% increase in occupational accidents in 2016
- 11% of waste sent to landfill in 2016
- Need to reduce the environmental impact of products while meeting consumer demands for comfort and aesthetics
- Addressing end-of-life waste issues in emerging countries
Mitigation Strategies
- Established Group Health and Safety Steering Committee
- Hired dedicated person to lead safety initiatives
- Implementing ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 standards
- Working with EDANA Waste working group to improve waste management in emerging countries
- Investing in eco-innovation and exploring bio-based materials
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: About 70 supplier audits conducted in 2016
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Sustainability performance monitoring through online questionnaires
- Supplier sustainability awards
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (Core option), UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001, OHSAS 18001 (some plants)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Good Health and Well-being
- Quality Education
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Climate Action
- No Poverty
- Reduced Inequalities
- Life on Land
- Partnerships for the Goals
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
The report details how Ontex's initiatives contribute to these goals.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Bio Baby brand diapers
Awards & Recognition
- COOP Sustainability Award
- Green Brands award (Moltex)
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate action
- Circular economy
- Sustainable supply chain
- Building trust
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced Scope 1 & 2 emissions market-based by 53% since 2018
- Increased renewable electricity to 91% of total electricity purchased
- Increased total renewable energy to 80% of total energy consumed
- 93% of sites ISO 14001 certified
- 96% of packaging uses recycled paper and board
- 83% of fluff pulp from FSC®/PEFC™ certified sources
- 48% of turnover from products with eco/health labels
Social Achievements
- 93% of raw material & packaging suppliers signed Supplier Code of Conduct
- 100% of new suppliers screened using social criteria
- Reduced occupational accident frequency rate to 2.96
- 83% of employees participated in at least one training course
- 85% of employees represented by a health & safety committee
Governance Achievements
- Board oversees and approves Ontex sustainable development commitments
- Executive Management Committee determines strategy and approves targets
- Sustainability integrated into management agenda
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 (from 2020 baseline)
- Reduce Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030 (from 2020 baseline)
- Achieve carbon neutral operations by 2030
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Reducing Scope 3 emissions
- Further improving supplier social audit coverage
- Addressing water management and biodiversity impacts across the value chain
- Managing risks associated with raw materials sourcing and deforestation
Mitigation Strategies
- Implementing a value chain approach to sustainability
- Working with suppliers to improve sustainability practices
- Investing in sustainable innovations
- Promoting responsible waste management and circular economy initiatives
- Engaging with stakeholders to address concerns
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 7 BSCI audits conducted in 2021; 32% of risk suppliers covered by a valid social audit report
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Requirements and documentation on material safety & quality
- Sourcing agricultural and forestry materials only from FSC® and PEFC™ certified suppliers
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, Greenhouse Gas Protocol
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 45001, BSCI, FSC, PEFC, OEKO-TEX 100, Asthma&Allergy Nordic, AllergyCertified
Third-party Assurance: PwC
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
The UN Sustainable Development Goals inspire Ontex's work and guide ambition setting; focus on SDGs where Ontex can have the biggest positive impact
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Eco-labeled products
- Sustainable innovations (75% of top 20 innovations)
Awards & Recognition
- Ecovadis Bronze Medal
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate action
- Plastic reduction
- Building trust through inclusive and fair society
- Sustainable and transparent supply chain
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced Scope 1-2 carbon emissions by 55% vs 2020
- 93% of electricity consumption from renewable sources (100% in European plants)
- Climate action targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative
- Received a top 'A' rating on climate action transparency from the Carbon Disclosure Project
Social Achievements
- Donated more than 1.7 million products to charity, mainly focusing on Ukraine
- Introduced a global onboarding program embedding key behavioral policies
- Intensified talent review and succession planning process
Governance Achievements
- Received a top ‘A’ rating for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change from Carbon Disclosure Project
- Revised the size and composition of the Board and its Committees
- Reviewed the Management remuneration policy
Climate Goals & Targets
- Carbon neutral operations (scope 1-2) by 2030
- Reduce emissions across operations (scope 1-2) with 80% by 2030
- Reduce emissions in value chain (scope 3) by 25% by 2030 compared with 2020
- Achieve gender parity by 2030
- Achieve zero occupational accidents by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Unprecedented challenges including major war, global supply chain disruptions, and inflation
- High inflation impacting cost base
- Industry supply disruption
- Supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical and economic turmoil
- Volatility in demand and supply
- Birth rate decline in large part of Europe
- Volatility in supply requiring constant qualification of new materials and suppliers
- Increasingly stringent environmental and sustainability regulations
- Demand for technical skills
- Tight labor market in many countries
- Volatility in energy prices
- Gas supply in Europe
- Inflation level in services and equipment
Mitigation Strategies
- Pricing initiatives and cost-saving efforts
- Divesting emerging market businesses
- Leadership and organizational changes
- Transparency about cost drivers to customers
- Cost-efficient operations
- Minimizing scrap and operating efficient product platforms
- Accelerated innovation
- Shorter time for qualification process to mitigate supply chain risk
- Less complex product portfolio
- Less scrap waste in production process
- Consolidating diverse asset base, optimizing networks, increasing robustness by manufacturing close to customers
- Investing in faster, more reliable machines
- Consolidating production in fewer production sites and fewer product lines
- Agile approach to supply, leveraging market knowledge
- Accelerated qualification processes for new suppliers
- Flexibility in switching between suppliers
- Ongoing and transparent communication with stakeholders
- Establishing an approach of ensuring job security through performance
- Regular third party intellectual property rights screening and legal analyses
- Disciplined reporting and steering to assess impact on leverage
- Initiatives to stimulate co-ownership of the business on working capital
- Proceeds of discontinued operations will be used to lower the debt
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Code of conduct
- Supplier sustainability requirements
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Hybrid diaper with a reusable outer shell and disposable pad
Awards & Recognition
- A-rating for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change from CDP
- B-rating for sustainable forestry from CDP