SÜDPACK has voluntarily published its fourth Sustainability Report – corroborating the progress made in 2020 and 2021 with hard data. The fact that SÜDPACK was named Germany’s 36th most sustainable SME out of over 4,000 businesses in a cross-sector ranking as recently lends considerable impetus to the film producer’s ambitious sustainability strategy. Because the companies’ Sustainability Reports were an explicit criterion when selecting the front-runners, especially their ESG targets and the effectiveness thereof. All of the Top 50 firms have one thing in common: for years, they have been committed to the three categories of ecology, economy and social responsibility in equal measure.
On the second page of the 84-page Sustainability Report, important data immediately illustrates that sustainability is key in all areas and in all aspects at SÜDPACK – and is also a permanent call to action. For example, 63 MWh of energy has been generated using its own renewable sources. 57 percent of its total investments are in new technologies that help to improve sustainability. 30 percent of its turnover is already generated by sustainable products. Waste has been reduced by 15 percent. Social responsibility, diversity and compliance are prioritized.
In contrast to its previous report for 2020, however, areas of activity that are essential for SÜDPACK and its stakeholders have been redefined. The latest report, which represents a significant expansion of its previous sustainability strategy, is now divided into the following topics: corporate governance, sustainable efficiency, circular economy, climate protection and social responsibility. In addition to its new set of guiding values and revised code of conduct, corporate governance also includes the economic pillar of sustainability and sustainable efficiency.
Overall, significant progress has been made in all areas during both financial years and documented accordingly in the report: SÜDPACK continues to work intensively on the development of extremely material-efficient, recyclable and therefore sustainable material structures. Its Pure-Line range featuring PP and PE-based high-performance films, its aluminum-free doypack and its film solution that is free of halogenic substances for the manufacture of blister packaging are great examples of this.
Circular economy
Huge investments are underway – in new business models, in new technologies and above all in an efficient circular economy. During the preparation and recovery of recyclable materials, the film producer simultaneously pursues two targeted solutions with its commitment to both mechanical and chemical recycling. Its internal material management using regranulation and compounding aims to return mechanically recycled plastic waste to film production – from both its own manufacturing and that of its customers. Thanks to its investment in pioneering CARBOLIQ technology, SÜDPACK also expects to be able to convert existing and hitherto non-recyclable packaging and plastic waste into valuable resources on an industrial scale in future. “As one of the leading film producers, our goal must be to continue to retain all the materials that enter our cycle within the cycle,“ says Carolin Grimbacher, Managing Partner of SÜDPACK.
Climate protection
Both these initiatives demonstrate SÜDPACK’s ZERO Waste claim. However, ZERO Waste is only part of its ambitious sustainability strategy. The central goal is NET ZERO. Consequently, the company group aims to avoid greenhouse gas emissions wherever possible and offset any unavoidable emissions. Its corporate carbon footprint provides an essential basis for this: by 2025, 95 percent of direct greenhouse gas emissions and those from energy needs (Scope 1 & 2) are to be reduced, as well as 15 percent of indirect greenhouse gas emissions along the value chain (Scope 3). Other measures include the increased use of renewable energy as well as additional investments in photovoltaic systems. As of 2022, for example, all its German sites use 100 percent renewable energy, along with carbon-neutral natural gas.
To ensure that all its climate protection efforts are actually in keeping with the highest standards of the Paris Climate Agreement, SÜDPACK joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2022.
Social responsibility
As a company that has been family-owned since it was founded in 1964 and is deeply rooted in the region, Südpack is particularly committed to people. In the latest edition of its Sustainability Report, the film producer also defines its operational framework and presents a number of projects that have been successfully implemented in recent months or have already been initiated: from individual employee development as well as occupational health and safety, through dealing with suppliers and business partners, to a sustainable supply chain.
Its new set of guiding values is a major cornerstone of cultural understanding. “In a dynamic market environment, how do we want to shape the future of SÜDPACK, how do we as a company want to be represented in public and finally how do we integrate new sites and employees into our organization? We are convinced that we can only continue to be among the best in our industry if everyone shares and embraces the same values,“ says Carolin Grimbacher.
Sustainability awards
The latest Sustainability Report is both an ‘explanation’ and a ‘call to action’. Because SÜDPACK not only consistently continues to develop its sustainability roadmap, but also constantly pursues its ambitious goals. Think and act holistically – that is its motto. In order to help other, hitherto less active companies also achieve a more sustainable future, WirtschaftsWoche has chosen “Germany’s most sustainable SMEs 2022“. Südpack is among the best – and it was also nominated in the ‘Industrial company with more than 250 employees’ category for the renowned 2022 Environment Award of the State of Baden-Württemberg.
The biennial report
… is based on the internationally recognized Sustainability Reporting Standards published by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI Standards). The content has been compiled in accordance with the “Core” option of the GRI Standards.
