Corporate responsibility
Growing better through corporate responsibility
For Soudal, economic growth is inextricably linked to ethical entrepreneurship. We want to do things right, with care for people and the planet. Careful entrepreneurship also manifests itself in the continuous improvement and sustainability of our products. Our three focus areas are:
Economic growth
Continuing to grow is the way forward for Soudal, but that growth must take place in a healthy and responsible manner. We plan our investments carefully and in the long term.
Our growth strategy focuses on two pillars: expanding market share by country and opening up new markets through acquisitions.
With our 29 production sites spread across five continents, we can optimally respond to the needs of different regions and cultures. Our strategy of producing close to our markets also ensures that we significantly reduce our CO2 emissions from transport. We are also always looking for raw material suppliers close to our production sites. At the same time, we ensure a secure supply by diversifying our sources.
Corporate responsibility
Ethical conduct and corporate responsibility are fundamental to Soudal's business operations. We do not tolerate bribery or corruption, and in no affiliate should human rights be violated. In our Code of Conduct and Ethics we describe how our employees can perform their duties in a correct and ethical manner.
In addition, we communicate honestly and transparently about our sustainable efforts. We set ambitious goals and report our progress, under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
We prefer to maintain long-term relationships with our suppliers. This is how we build trust and increase delivery security. To ensure that our suppliers set the (sustainable) bar as high as we do, we are currently developing a Supplier Code of Conduct. From 2024, we will also use the Sedex tool to screen the ethical nature of our suppliers.
Every year we draw up a list of the most risky materials that we purchase. The suppliers of these materials must at least have a certificate stating that they act in a correct manner. Some circumstances are difficult to verify, but if there are reasonable doubts about the sustainable nature of a supplier, we take measures.
Continuous product innovation
Soudal is constantly looking for high-quality solutions and ecological improvements. Our product innovations are part of our actions for climate, environment, safety and circular construction. They are driven by the needs of the end user, the price and availability of raw materials, and the applicable regulatory standards. In recent years, we have developed various solvent-free, plasticiser-free products and water-based mounting adhesives and joint sealants.
Lots of Soudal products have been declared and assessed with different ecolabel organizations, such as our new HMX technology, as well as various hybrid adhesive sealants, parquet adhesives and silicones. These declarations explain that exposure to certain substances and emissions originating from the product comply with strict limits.
Some ecolabel organizations are globally active, other organizations focus on specific regions. Examples of organizations that Soudal is declaring products with are Basta, Baubook, BREEAM-NOR, Byggvarubedömningen, DGNB and Sundahus.
Many Soudal products have been tested and have obtained an emissions certificate. Examples of organizations that assess emissions with Soudal products are Emicode and M1.
Proactive action is the common thread running through our R&D. We do not wait for legislation to change but give priority to developing products with a lower impact on the environment and health. We create products that are safe for the end user, and we closely monitor consumer trends so that we can quickly respond to new market demands. Moreover, we continuously strive for an optimal balance between lifespan and environmental impact.
After all, a product with a higher environmental impact can have a significantly longer lifespan and therefore be more sustainable. Using life cycle analyses, such as the Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), we map the total environmental impact of our products in detail.