Success Factor Sustainability

Since 2016, SÜDPACK has regularly documented its progress on the way to becoming a more sustainable company. Now, the 5th Sustainability Report is available. At its core, it becomes clear: SÜDPACK is consistently working to realize its vision of "Sustainability Leadership" in the packaging industry. The film manufacturer focuses on three areas of action: ecology, economy, and social responsibility. Investments are made, among other things, in recycling technologies, climate protection, modern production facilities, and the development of PPWR-compliant packaging solutions.

The goal and strategic building block of SÜDPACK is market leadership in sustainability within its industry. As one of the leading manufacturers of high-performance films and packaging solutions for the food, non-food, medical devices, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as custom compounds for technically demanding applications, SÜDPACK is committed to designing companies, processes, and products as sustainably as possible. Sustainability is at the core of trade, but also a growth driver and value guarantee.

In the current edition of its sustainability report, SÜDPACK describes its exemplary successes in the three areas of action over 70 pages since the last sustainability report was published. New: The reporting has been expanded to include SÜDPACK Oak Creek, SÜDPACK Grootegast, and SÜDPACK MEDICA in France. Thus, all locations within the consolidation circle are now included. "Today, sustainability is anchored in all areas and levels of our organization. The steadily increasing number of initiatives shows that sustainability is lived throughout the company and that the goal of Sustainability Leadership is being pursued consistently," emphasizes Valeska Haux, Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Sustainability at SÜDPACK.

Additionally, the 2024 report introduces that SÜDPACK has prepared for the new reporting requirements in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) through a double materiality analysis. This will be mandatory from 2026. The analysis serves as an important basis for sustainability reporting. At the same time, it enables critical review and further development of the sustainability strategy.

Results regarding Circular Economy, Climate Protection & Social Responsibility

Circular Economy: Ambition ZERO WASTE

"Responsible handling of raw materials and valuable materials, curbing the consumption of fossil resources, and optimizing the CO₂ footprint along the entire supply chain are top priorities. The resource carbon must be kept in circulation, and existing plastic waste should be transformed into new, high-quality products," states the film manufacturer's credo.

SÜDPACK continues to invest not only in new production facilities for recycling-capable and material-reduced products but also in expanding capacities and technologies for compounding, regranulation, and chemical recycling. Simultaneously, intensive efforts are underway to develop PPWR-conformant packaging solutions and sustainable product design. By 2030, the product portfolio is to consist of 100% recyclable films and material structures with at least 10% PCR content. To ensure that SÜDPACK products truly earn the "sustainable" label, the film specialists offer their Life Cycle Assessment service "EcoTrace™" for comprehensive evaluation of the ecological balance of products along the entire value chain.

Significant progress has also been made in waste management on the way to ZERO WASTE: between 2021 and 2023, waste was reduced by a further 11%. More than 120 tons of internal plastic waste have been chemically recycled.

Climate Protection: NET ZERO

In the Sustainability Strategy 2030, SÜDPACK has bundled a comprehensive package of measures and initiatives in the central action area of NET ZERO. In Scope 1 & 2, the targets regarding direct greenhouse gas emissions have already been achieved at 84%. In Scope 3, the target achievement for indirect emissions in the category "purchased goods and services" is 62%. Efforts in both segments are being further increased.

Furthermore, since April 2024, SÜDPACK has been one of the few manufacturers of flexible films to be SBTi-validated. The adopted goals for reducing the CO₂ footprint, a sustainability ranking, and a certified reporting system serve as helpful guidelines and instruments on the way to becoming a truly NET ZERO company.

Already on the home stretch today is the topic of renewable energy. Through the use of its own photovoltaic systems and the purchase of green electricity, all German production sites are already operated with 100% green electricity. Across the entire corporate group, the share of renewable energy currently stands at 46%.

Social Responsibility: Employee Satisfaction, Occupational Safety & Transparent Supply Chains

Important drivers on the path to Sustainability Leadership, from SÜDPACK's perspective, are also the employees. Only if they internalize and support the value shift can a more sustainable corporate culture be achieved. The prerequisite for this? Optimal working conditions and a healthy work environment. Key components in this context include shared values, a clear compensation policy, flexible and remote working hours, attractive retirement provisions, and last but not least, additional benefits such as further training, disability insurance, and more. At the same time, occupational health and safety are continuously improved through numerous measures at SÜDPACK.

An additional focus of this sustainability report can be found on pages 62 and 63. Within the ambition of a Sustainable Supply Chain, SÜDPACK pursues two closely intertwined goals: a transparent supply chain and sustainability as a decision criterion in procurement. The targeted initiatives include increasing the proportion of suppliers with sustainability assessments and those with positive sustainability ratings. Regarding supplier volume in euros with sustainability assessment, SÜDPACK currently stands at 68%. By 2030, a target of 90% is aimed for.

To fulfill its due diligence obligations toward suppliers and society, SÜDPACK has also been evaluating its suppliers via EcoVadis since the end of 2022 to comply with the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. As of April 2024, 45% of direct SÜDPACK partners have already achieved an EcoVadis rating with an average score of 61.1 points — an increase of 14.7% compared to the end of 2023.