Successful growth and corporate responsibility are not a contradiction for Symrise, but rather an obligation: The new Corporate Report “Unfolding Strengths” once again shows how the company succeeds in thinking long-term, acting sustainably and combining the interests of all stakeholders
The Sustainability Record
As a globally operating company, Symrise actively contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The company explicitly takes these into account in its sustainability agenda, which represents an integral part of its corporate strategy. To clarify the relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals and to determine Symrise’s opportunities to exert influence, the company adjusted its key areas for improvement in 2017. These illustrate the areas where Symrise can contribute via responsible business practices.
Specifically, Symrise aims to further increase resource efficiency and further minimize its ecological footprint. Symrise committed itself this past year to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 17.5 percent by 2030 as part of its Science Based Targets initiative. In terms of value added, the company has already reduced the chemical oxygen demand in wastewater by 15.3 percent and sensitive waste by 9.7 percent. Symrise is also on the right track when it comes to procurement: 80 percent of main suppliers are currently assessed according to sustainability criteria, and this figure should reach 100 percent by 2020.
Highest Transparency in Reporting
The Corporate Report describes how the company achieves and embodies these goals in extensively researched and carefully prepared reports. These reports seek to answer questions like: Why are alternating winds in Calabria so important for the quality of bergamot? How do entrepreneurial spirit and innovation go hand in hand? What health-promoting effects do cranberries have? And, what role do aquacultures play in global food supplies?
Reporting follows the Global Reporting Initiative’s highest application level “In accordance – Comprehensive” and meets the requirements of the CSR Directive. Numerous examples and awards show that the company’s sustained commitment is also recognized externally.
For instance, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) counts Symrise as one of the top 25 companies worldwide with regard to sustainable business. For its efforts both in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and water protection, Symrise received the highest rating of an A. For its responsible approach to forest conservation, Symrise was awarded an A- on a scale of A to D.
With the “Science Based Targets” initiative (SBT) of the UN Global Compact and WWF, Symrise is also one of the world’s first 65 companies (out of roughly 360 participants thus far) to have its climate strategy, with its science-based climate protection measures, approved by the SBT.
Added Value for all Stakeholders
Symrise is primarily growing from within while acquiring companies that contribute additional expertise or open up new market segments. Strategic investments, such as those made in Cobell – Great Britain’s largest supplier of fruit and vegetable juices, are contributing to this growth. By expanding its presence in China, India and Vietnam, Symrise was also able to increase its share of sales in emerging markets to 44 percent in 2017.
The success proves Symrise right: “Last year, we unfolded our strengths in a targeted manner,” says Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG. “Now it is important for us to keep a firm eye on our goals through 2020 and systematically implement our measures. We want to belong to one of the most successful manufacturers of fragrances and flavorings in the long term and continuously account for this in our Corporate Reports.”
About Symrise
Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings, cosmetic active ingredients and raw materials, as well as functional ingredients. Its clients include manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics, food and beverages, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of nutritional supplements and pet food.
Its sales of approximately € 3 billion in the 2017 fiscal year make Symrise a leading global provider in the flavors and fragrances market. Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, the Group is represented in more than 90 locations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the United States and Latin America.
Symrise works with its clients to develop new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. Economic success and corporate responsibility are inextricably linked as part of this process. Symrise – always inspiring more...
Media Contacts:
Friedrich-Wilhelm Micus
Phone.: +49 55 31 90-1363
E-mail: friedrich-wilhelm.micus@symrise.com
Christina Witter
Phone.: +49 55 31 90-2182
E-mail: christina.witter@symrise.com