ESG
Our efforts have not been limited to rethinking products in a circular perspective. Aquafil has always had a holistic approach towards sustainability, which extends beyond circular product design to encompass social and governance aspects too.
Our ESG achievements in 2022
2022 was an outstanding year for our Group, both in terms of economic performance and ESG achievements.
Environment
- 16% reduction in Scope 1 + Scope 2 emissions vs 2021
- 100% of electricity coming from renewable resources
- 23% reduction in water consumption vs 2021
- 90% of waste recovered (through recycling and energy recovery)
- 1st plant-based nylon demo plant
- Certification ISO 50001 (Energy) – Aquafil Arco
- Certification ISO 50001 (Energy) – Aquafil China
Social
- 18.5% increase in the number of female managers vs 2021
- 2.2x increase in hours of environmental training delivered vs 2021
- 2x welfare budget vs 2021
- Approval of Global Parental Leave Policy
- Certification SA8000 (Social Responsibility) – Aquafil UK
- Certifications ISO 45001 (Health & Safety) – Aquafil China
Governance
- Adhesion to UN Global Compact
- New remuneration policy for the top management
- Creation of the ESG Committee on 16 May 2023 by the Board of Directors
Stakeholder engagement and materiality analysis
Our Group’s ESG agenda is based on a materiality assessment that allows us to identify key priority areas of action. This assessment is based on a shared approach: it considers the relevance of each topic both for Aquafil and other stakeholders: suppliers, clients, shareholders, employees, local authorities, new generations, NGOs.
In 2022, the Group updated its materiality assessment, engaging 199 stakeholders and achieving a response rate of 38%. Despite some methodological changes, the new assessment confirmed the list of material topics identified in 2020.
Our Sustainability Web Tool for ESG Data Collection
Since 2012, we have implemented a customised software platform that facilitates standardised data collection among all the Group’s production plants. Aquafil uses this “Sustainability Web Tool” to keep track of both social (HR, work safety) and environmental (energy consumption, CO2 emissions, waste, water) KPIs. Each facility collects and inputs information into the system on a monthly or by-yearly basis, depending on the indicators.
Our Agenda 2030
For each of our 5 ECO PLEDGE® guiding principles, we have defined forward-looking objectives identifying improvement areas and launched a series of projects to reach them.
2023
Achieve fair gender representation at all corporate levels
Social
2023
Raise awareness of environmental issues by supporting local cultural and sports clubs and by contributing to the education of the new generations
Social
2023
Support the most vulnerable
Social
2023
Improve our Corporate Governance
Governance
Improve our Corporate Governance
2023
Governance
- Approve a new remuneration policy aligned with market best practices, including ESG parameters in both short and long-term incentives
- Create an ESG Committee reporting directly to the Board of Directors, and issue an ESG policy
2025
Strengthen the existing value chains
Environment
Strengthen the existing value chains
2025
Environment
- Generate 60% of our fibres revenues from ECONYL® and other regenerated fibres
- Get 60% of our EMEA BCF clients (nylon for carpets) involved in our post-industrial Take-Back programme
2025
Create new sustainable value chains
Environment
Create new sustainable value chains
2025
Environment
- Collect 35,000 tons of post-consumer waste to create new recycled materials
- Test and validate new technologies to produce bio-based nylon on a pre-industrial scale
2025
Implement an eco-design approach
Environment
Implement an eco-design approach
2025
Environment
- Complete 13 projects involving consumer brands in ecodesign activities and in the recycling of end-of-life clothes
- Sign a Memorandum of Understanding with 50% of selected producers of rugs and carpets in the context of our new Born R2R project, in order to create products that are made with recycled material (ECONYL® nylon) and designed to be recycled at the end of their life
2025
Use renewable energy sources
Environment
Use renewable energy sources
2025
Environment
- Obtain an ISO 14001 certification (environmental management) for all our Group’s plants – 9 of 14 plants have been certified
2025
Reduce the impact of manufacturing activities
Environment
Reduce the impact of manufacturing activities
2025
Environment
- Join the Science Based Targets (SBTs) initiative and set GHG reduction targets
2025
Reduce waste by reusing packaging
Environment
Reduce waste by reusing packaging
2025
Environment
- Launch a pilot project to recycle the pallets used for the transportation of products, aiming for 50% of pallets being reused in our EMEA BCF business
2025
Minimise injuries
Social
2025
Support employees’ personal and professional growth
Social
2025
Improve our Corporate Governance
Governance
Improve our Corporate Governance
2025
Governance
- Draft a succession plan for our top management
2026
Ensure suppliers’ ethical behaviour
Social
2028
Guarantee the respect of Human Rights in the workplace
Social
2028
Use renewable energy sources
Environment
Use renewable energy sources
2028
Environment
- Obtain an ISO5001 certification (energy management) for all our Group’s plants – 7 of 15 plants have been certified (2 new certifications obtained by Aquafil China and Aquafil Arco)