Sustainability fundamental for Sofidel in value creation process

As the world turns its awareness to the protection of the environment, Sofidel, an industry leader in the tissue category in Europe, prioritises sustainability and an ever-more reduced environmental impact as a fundamental constituent in its value creation process.

Sofidel operates to safeguard water resources limiting consumption inside their production processes to create products which contain lower levels of natural capital.

As of today, the average amount of water now used in the production of tissue paper is distinctly lower than the industry benchmark (7.1 l/kg vs. 15-25 l/kg). The Intertissue mill in Baglan, Wales features a system for recovering rainwater, it employs an area of 82,000 m2 and allows a reduction in water consumption of more than 47,000 m3 per year. Sofidel reduces water use through the philosophy of “Less is more”, an orientation that characterises the Group’s activities and translates into three fundamental precepts:

1. Keep environmental impact to a minimum on all levels.
2. Reduce waste.
3. Promote responsible consumption.

Sofidel has reduced direct emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere by 20.6% by investing in energy efficiency including the use of cogeneration plants, renewable energy sources and sourcing pulp certified by independent third parties with forest certification schemes (FSC®, FSC Controlled Wood, SFI®, PEFC™). And through innovation in production processes including an automated finished product warehouse, a frontier in innovation for Sofidel in Kisa, Sweden, the Group uses less amounts of natural resources to allow it to meet the growing demand for efficiency, functionality and sustainability from clients, consumers and society.

This contributes to “building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and planet”, in accordance with the definition by the UN of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within the sphere of its activities, Sofidel believes that companies have the responsibility of playing a fundamental role not only in terms of the production and distribution of goods and services, but also in the guaranteeing of long-term social and environmental advantages for stakeholders at all stages of the value chain. Sofidel follows a policy of responsible development founded on five key points:

1. Process/product innovation oriented towards economic, social and environmental sustainability.
2. Involvement and transparency in relations with business stakeholders (managers, employees, consumers and voluntary associations).
3. Respect and appreciation of people both within and external to the company.
4. Protection of the consumer.
5. Attention to local communities.