Azelis released its sustainability strategy, “Action 2025,” which the company said reinforces its commitment to become a leading provider of sustainable solutions and services in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients distribution industry.
Through this sustainability program and strategy, Azelis wants to turn the sustainability aspirations of its principals and customers into innovative sustainable solutions.
Azelis’ sustainability journey started in 2015 when the company defined the fundamentals of its sustainability program, following the Paris Agreement on climate change and the release of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations.
The Azelis sustainability program is based on the United Nations Global Compact (UN GC) initiative, ISO 26000 and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The program consists of four pillars – each with goals and KPIs – and with every pillar, Azelis also contributes to the selected United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The four pillars include:
- People – Azelis will be recognized as a global employer of choice for its industry;
- Products and innovation – Azelis will be the leader in the distribution of sustainable, innovative and safe chemicals;
- Governance – Azelis will be fair in business practices and compliant with all laws and regulations, embedding trust and ethics in the foundation of its operations;
- Environment – Azelis will continually reduce the environmental impact of its operations
‘Action 2025’
In its ongoing transition to an even more sustainable business model, the company has redefined its sustainability strategy – based on the four pillars set out above – and set targets for 2025. To reach these 2025 targets, Azelis will both be launching several new initiatives in the coming years and intensifying other initiatives which are already being implemented.
One very important target for Azelis is to continue to identify sustainable products within its extensive product portfolio to bring additional value to customers, helping them to achieve their sustainability goals with more environmentally friendly products.
Action 2025 is based on learnings the company gathered from in-depth interviews with suppliers and customers, results and improvement suggestions from its EcoVadis assessment, input from Azelis business representatives, and the materiality assessment exercise Azelis performed last year in the context of its first sustainability report. Azelis is committed to publishing sustainability reports annually, communicating on progress and provide further information in this important area.
“We are part of a global industry that plays a significant role in the economy of the world and we have an obligation to utilize the world's resources in a sustainable manner,” said Dr. Hans Joachim Müller, Azelis CEO. “Aligned with our brand promise ‘Innovation through formulation’, it is our aspiration to contribute to a more sustainable future by connecting and empowering both principals and customers to work on the development of sustainable chemical solutions through innovation.”
“In an ever-changing industry and world, Azelis’ ambitions for a sustainable future will never stop,” added Maria J. Almenar, group SHEQ & sustainability director. “We want to engage our current and potential partners to contribute to our sustainable cause, next to converting the sustainability aspirations of our principals and customers into innovative sustainable solutions. We also wish to set an example for our peers and motivate them to also embark on the journey to a sustainable business model.”
