Symrise has again earned A scores in the yearly sustainability ratings of non-profit organisation CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project. In the categories of forests and water, the Holzminden Group achieved the top grade of A. In the area of forests, only 25 companies around the world achieved this result, as opposed to 103 companies in the category of water. In the third category, climate, Symrise received a grade of A-minus. This certifies that Symrise was again able to meet the stringent sustainability requirements this year, which have increased considerably in the past year. 2022 saw a record number of 18,700 participating companies from around the world in the project.
The nonprofit organisation evaluates companies on a scale of A to D. In doing so, it pays attention to how companies deal with climate risks and the completeness of the data that they provide. A further criterion relates to the climate-friendliness of corporate management, for example, the setting of ambitious and sensible targets. The bar is constantly raised in parallel to current developments, such as new scientific discoveries or market requirements.
Targets to protect the climate, water and forests
For its corporate strategy, Symrise relies on a holistic approach. Climate protection plays a key role here. Starting in 2030, the group will be undertaking a climate-positive approach. This means the company will contribute to preventing or sequestering more greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere than it produces through its operating activities. Furthermore, the entire supply chain, including the raw materials produced by suppliers, is intended to be climate-neutral by 2045.
Another point of the strategy relates to the protection of forests. To achieve this, Symrise also relies on the principles of the circular economy. The company uses wood-based ingredients in about 30% of its fragrance compositions. The Group obtains the material with the help of green chemistry as part of a complex process, for which it became the first company in its industry to receive the FSC certificate for the protection of forests.
Water protection also forms an integral part of the corporate strategy. Symrise therefore intends to optimise its consumption of freshwater resources around the world. In particular, it focuses on sites in regions with a high level of water stress such as Egypt, Spain, India and Mexico. In 2021, the group was able to reduce its water consumption in these countries by twelve percent compared to 2020.
“Effectively protecting the climate, water and forests will enable us to continue to operate sustainably in the future, thus making a contribution to peoples’ well-being,” said Bernhard Kott, chief sustainability officer at Symrise. “We see this award as a confirmation of our efforts. We are delighted by this renewed distinction, which motivates us continue on this path.”
