ESG Initiatives In The Bakery Product Industry

Embedding the value of environmental, social and governance (ESG) in the bakery product industry has become a vital cog in augmenting revenue growth and bolstering employee productivity. A strong ESG performance can help industry leaders tap into new markets and attract customers to pay more. That said, status brings responsibility and challenges—air pollution and waste from bakery manufacturing have become pervasive. Oven produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including ethanol, while food waste in the landfill releases methane, aggravating global warming. Amidst criticism, buoyant ESG policies could be the silver lining. In 2023, the U.K. Environmental Act 2021 came into full effect, which fosters the U.K. government’s commitment to eliminate food waste in landfill by 2030. 

The food industry has an overarching impact on the planet, society and governance. Reduction of ecological footprint has become instrumental in underpinning the sustainability profile. One of the most rapidly rising segments in the bakery industry is that which offers sustainably raised products. Besides, robust ESG policies can help deal fairly and ethically with stakeholders, deliver value to customers, reinforce communities and provide value for shareholders. 

An increasing chorus of stakeholders has pushed for publishing sustainability/ESG reports and fostering transparency and ethical standards. In the same breath, questions arise:

1. Which ESG issues have garnered headlines among forward-looking companies? 

2. Are companies ramping up efforts to underpin employee safety, reduce carbon footprint and accentuate transparency? 

Kraft Food Bolsters Environmental Stewardship

Climate risks have posed risks as the increasing number of days with extreme heat has led to reduced productivity. Moreover, changing rainfall patterns and scorching heat have triggered wildfires, disrupting economies and killing citizens. ESG goals, including minimizing waste, reducing GHG emissions and making sustainable packaging, have become invaluable to stay ahead of the curve. Kraft Heinz has set an audacious goal of a 20% reduction in waste-to-landfill intensity across manufacturing facilities by 2025.

In 2021, the American food manufacturing company pledged to attain Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Kraft Heinz collaborated with seven companies in Canada to minimize food waste by 50% by 2025. The company will emphasize regenerative and sustainable practices, procure most electricity from renewable sources and shift to more circular and recyclable packaging. It will also further its efforts to propel scope 3 emission minimization strategies across ingredients, upstream and downstream transportation, packaging, end-of-life and sold products.  

Is your business one of participants to the Bakery Product Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices

Bimbo Bakeries Gains from DEI Initiatives

Stakeholders’ actions on social factors, including conditions employees work under, pay parity and diversity, equity & inclusion, can notably impact shareholders’ returns. Bimbo Bakeries is gearing up to ensure 50% diverse candidate slates—at least 25% racially diverse and a minimum of 25% women; the company laid down the goals to be achieved from 2022 to 2024. The company also requires associates to complete at least 1.5 hours of Racial Equity Strategy Training (REST) annually.

It has established the 2030 ambition to bolster underserved communities, emphasizing economics, education and health assistance. In 2021, Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) committed USD 1 million to national and local organizations to propel the financial well-being, education and health of Black and minority Americans. The company provides scholarships and internships through collaboration with the United Negro College Fund.

The reputation of companies largely depends upon their social credibility. In 2020, BBU donated half a million dollars to the COVID-19 Relief Fun of Feeding America. The company donates around 20 million pounds of food to local food banks annually (collaborated with Feeding America). Across the U.S., the bakery firm chooses ten food banks to receive a donation of 5,000 pounds of bread. The prevalence of a safe and inclusive working environment, along with economic assistance, will add value to ESG goals. 

Transparency Pivotal for General Mills to Create Synergy

The financial impact is largely driven by the impact the firm has on the environment and society. In the realm of ESG factors, investors, managers, communities, employees and suppliers have furthered governance pillar to adhere to the law, make effective decisions and keep up with the demand of stakeholders. Consumers are eager to know what is in their bakery products, how they are prepared and where they came from.

General Mills has fostered ingredient sourcing by disclosing information about purchasing Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified palm oil volumes. The website also includes an updated list of all palm oil suppliers. As of 2022, the company has listed around 1,900 products on smartlabel.org, 319 topics were covered on askgeneralmills.com and 600 products were enrolled in the U.S. Non-GMO Project, according to its 2023 Global Responsibility Report.

A strong ESG proposition warrants the assessment of climate-related risks, opportunities; relationships with the society they do business; and investments in corporate governance that encapsulate firms’ long-term success. Grand View Research indicates that the global bakery products market size could reach USD 251.1 billion by 2025. The billion-dollar industry will emphasize ESG reporting to undergird sustainable bakeries. 

Related Reports:

• Healthy Snack Industry ESG: https://astra.grandviewresearch.com/healthy-snack-industry-esg-outlook
  
  
• Cookies Industry ESG: https://astra.grandviewresearch.com/cookies-industry-esg-outlook
  
  
• Breakfast Cereals Industry ESG: https://astra.grandviewresearch.com/breakfast-cereals-industry-esg-outlook

About Astra – ESG Solutions By Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

Need expert consultation around identifying, analyzing and creating a plan to mitigate ESG risks related to your business? Share your concerns and queries, we can help!

The Growing Impact of ESG in the 5G Services Industry

5G services have brought the world to the cusp of a revolution as companies continue to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies into operational decision-making. 2023 was a transformation year with innovations in fiber infrastructure and spectrum breadth—2024 promises to be much more than that; industry innovators are including net zero emissions in their operations and building a low-carbon and more sustainable next-gen ecosystem.

Unsurprisingly, stakeholders are pitching for companies to address ESG impacts and issues and establish a foundation to manage the issues. The need to build a strong culture to provide a core business strategy focuses on 5G as a key enabler to minimize global warming. While the technology also underpins sustainable urbanization, challenges around cybersecurity and privacy protection emerge as a roadblock.

Is it high time stakeholders emphasize ESG reporting and empower the sustainable development society?  

Deutsche Telekom Plans, Acts and Delivers Environmental Goals

In the pursuit of a circular economy, incumbent players are spearheading the integration of bespoke information technologies into the economy and people’s livelihoods. Climate-neutral business practices have grabbed headlines globally, with stakeholders deciphering ways their products, services and activities impact the environment. Deutsche Telekom, for instance, is bullish on being climate neutral in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025. 

The German telecommunication giant expects climate neutrality to be extended to the entire value chain (Scope 3) by 2040. It has also minimized waste volume and fostered a circular economy with sustainable packaging. In 2022, Deutsche Telekom minimized energy consumption by 278 gigawatt hours (approximately 11%) in Germany. 

The need for fast and decisive action to keep global warming below the 1.5-degree danger line will compel 5G services companies to fulfill the responsibility for a climate-friendly society. 

Is your business one of participants to the 5G Services Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices

Empowering a Future of Inclusion of All at China Mobile

A path to modernization and leveraging information technology to benefit society as a whole warrants inclusiveness, openness and mutual growth. China Mobile claims to be bridging the digital divide for marginalized populations. The Chinese telecom behemoth has propelled its efforts to boost its broadband speed and reduce tariffs; in 2022, the company asserted that around 37 million people benefited from targeted tariff reductions. 

The company also underpinned elderly people with the development of a “connected intelligent healthcare service platform.” China Mobile mentioned in its 2022 Sustainability Report that it had built 120 smart elderly care demonstration sites, served over 1.3 million senior users, created more than 2,700 home-based elderly care beds and inked contracts with 117 elderly care institutions. 

The Chinese behemoth has used 5G to underscore high-quality education. It deployed more than 1,500 5G+ smart campus projects and built a 5G smart cloud examination solution. Connecting people and things and digitizing the education sector can bolster ESG goals. 

Verizon Banking on Governance to Build Climate-Resilience Strategy

Transparent reporting and stakeholder engagement, along with good governance, are paramount to building a circular economy. Investors and venture capitalists speak well of companies that seek candidates from different backgrounds, races, genders, expertise, and skills. Verizon, on its board, had five directors who identified themselves as ethnically or racially diverse, and four were women (as of December 31, 2022). The company claims each of its directors has experience or skills in one or more facets of ESG, such as DEI, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, data protection and privacy, governance, sustainability, business ethics, and compliance. 

Stakeholders are gearing up to build a better future, integrating climate considerations into operational and strategic decision-making processes. To illustrate, the Audit Committee at Verizon reportedly discussed operational and financial risks regarding network reliability and resilience, energy management and the impacts of environmental and ESG reporting regulations (current and emerging). The American telecommunication behemoth has created an ESG Center of Excellence to foster its compliance with climate change-related laws and regulations. 

With climate-related risks and opportunities having a likely impact on the business, socially responsible investments could be more pronounced in the 5G ecosystem. Digital intelligence resources, including cloud, IoT, and 5G, have underscored the modernization of society. The new generation of wireless communication has set the precursor for a new customer experience and basis for digitization. These opportunities come with responsibilities to foster a circular economy.  

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• Digital Payments Industry ESG: https://astra.grandviewresearch.com/digital-payments-industry-esg-outlook
  
  
• Cyber Security Industry ESG: https://astra.grandviewresearch.com/cyber-security-industry-esg-outlook

About Astra – ESG Solutions by Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

Understanding ESG in the Fuel Cell Industry

Fuel cells have emerged as an environmentally friendly option to provide power for applications, including residential/commercial/industrial buildings, transportation and power stations. The unique value proposition of environmental, social and governance pillars will leverage industry leaders to empower the world with clean energy. Although 2020 through 2022 were periods of global turbulence emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, energy crisis, geopolitical developments and volatile weather conditions, 2023 and beyond could see stakeholders prioritize ESG to bolster the brand position.

Global push to comply with the Paris Accord Climate Targets will encourage companies to meet the greenhouse gas emissions commitments, thereby fostering the clean energy revolution. Hydrogen has emerged as an invaluable component for green transition and energy source diversification. Fuel cell technology will expedite targets to pursue economic recovery and combat climate change Along with the concerted efforts to transition to a zero carbon economy, forward-looking companies have prioritized diversity, equity & inclusion, workers' health & safety, training programs, transparency, corporate behavior and ethics & compliance.

Key Companies in this theme:

    • Fuel Cell Energy, Inc.

    • Ballard Power Systems

    • SFC Energy AG

    • Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology B.V.

    • Bloom Energy

Learn more about the practices & strategies being implemented by industry participants from the Fuel Cell Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023, published by Astra ESG Solutions

Environmental Perspective

Amidst an exponential demand for energy, decarbonizing power and producing hydrogen have come on the horizon. Technologies are likely to be built for decarbonizing mobility and industrial applications. The penetration of hydrogen fuel will potentially negate the fossil fuel concerns that have plagued the globe. It is worth mentioning that hydrogen does not need mining and is not prone to geopolitical risks.

In February 2022, FuelCell Energy introduced the 2021 Sustainability Report exhorting a commitment to attain net zero emissions by 2030 on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. As of August 2022, its energy plants generated over 13,788,125 megawatt hours. The U.S.-based company is gearing up to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a step likely to foster the adoption of decarbonization.

Social Perspective

Industry leaders have furthered their focus on social contributions, including increasing the proportion of women in the workforce, underpinning employment in operational sites and providing training programs. Lately, emphasis on talent attraction, retention, robust grievance mechanisms, women empowerment and occupational health & safety has gained uptick.

Advent Technologies has upped investments in women empowerment and training pertaining to ethics, professional skills development and health & safety issues on laboratory processes. In 2021, the percentage of permanent employees was 98%, exhibiting its efforts toward human capital management. The company asserts its Employee Handbook covers bullying and harassment, diversity, accessibility, non-discrimination, working hours and minimum age requirements. A strong commitment to the social pillar to provide fuel cell power for a sustainable world will help companies position themselves in the industry.

Is your business one of participants to the Fuel Cell Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices

Governance Perspective

The strategic ESG vision warrants board diversity, transparency, sound corporate behavior, fair business practices and regulatory compliance. Building trust from business partners, investors, financial markets and the public at large has become instrumental in boosting the ESG rankings. For instance, Bloom Energy has strengthened its ESG disclosure efforts. The company's 2021 sustainability report is in line with Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) recommendations, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework.

The Board of Directors (BoD) offers strategic guidelines on ESG matters pertaining to Bloom Energy's business and approves strategy, such as ESG components. Besides, the company inferred that its first Environmental Management System (EMS) audit would have happened in 2022. Bloom Energy has also fostered its culture of ethical decision-making. In 2021, the U.S.-based company hired corporate ethics and compliance program leaders. Building a strong and robust governance culture will serve as a solid foundation to propel environmental and social performances.

Identifying areas for development and improvements of communities, environments and businesses have become pronounced with the emergence of the hydrogen economy. Manufacturing and injecting funds into key technologies to protect energy security, employment and achieve climate goals can propel the value proposition.

In July 2022, the European Commission was reported to have approved an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) to underpin research & innovation and the first industrial deployment in the hydrogen technology value chain. The Member States would pour €5.4 billion (approximately USD 5.8 billion) in public funding. Meanwhile, in February 2023, Nedstack joined forces with ZBT for the industrialization and co-development of fuel cells.

Related Reports:

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• Aftermarket Automotive Parts Industry ESG: https://astra.grandviewresearch.com/aftermarket-automotive-parts-industry-esg-outlook

About Astra – ESG Solutions by Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

How ESG Factors Are Shaping the Protein Supplements Industry

Consumers are emphasizing sustainability credentials when purchasing food & beverages, prompting protein supplements manufacturers to bank on ESG metrics. Sustainable packaging, environmental preservation, clean label claims, transparency, ethics & compliance and health have become paramount among sustainability-minded consumers. Plant-based and whey-proteins have garnered popularity among Gen Z and millennials, a trend likely to drive the footprint of sustainable food.

Whey protein has become prevalent among athletes and customers who warrant protein supplements in their diet. Manufacturers, consumers, media and influencers are counting on whey protein powders to foster sustainable food production. Decision-makers seek a crystal clear picture of how protein products will impact the environment, community and governance.

In September 2022, the Good Food Institute (GFI) and FAIRR rolled out an ESG reporting framework for the alternative protein industry. At a time when the world is gearing up for climate accountability, disclosure of the ESG framework could underscore business practices.

Key Companies 

    • Glanbia PLC

    • MusclePharm

    • Abbott

    • CytoSport, Inc.

    • QuestNutrition

    • Transparent Labs

Environmental Perspective

The soaring popularity of protein supplements, including powders, bars and shakes has prompted stakeholders to prioritize their environmental footprint. Global watchdogs, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), have vouched for sustainable meat production to decarbonize food production and keep up with the demand for protein. In August 2022, an Oxford study deduced that meat alternatives had less than a tenth of the environmental impact of meat-based equivalents.

Forward-looking companies have furthered their efforts to underpin their environmental profile. For instance, in 2022, Glanbia upgraded its scope 1 & 2 emissions reduction targets and aims for 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by 2030. It has also set the target of a 50% absolute reduction in emissions from operations and a 25% reduction in dairy emissions intensity by 2030. Establishing environmental goals and transitioning to a low-carbon economy will open a unique window of opportunities in the global landscape.

Social Perspective

A sustainable future demands product safety & quality, employee health and well-being, diversity & inclusion, responsible nutrition, animal welfare and fair pricing. In August 2022, Harvard Health Publishing noted that protein powders could contain added sugars and calories. During the year, Clean Label Project claimed in a report that protein powders may contain heavy metals, pesticides or other contaminants linked to cancer or other health issues. With vegans, athletes and adults banking on protein powders to supplement their diets, industry leaders are expected to emphasize consumers' health & safety to bolster the brand position.

Decision-makers have shown an inclination to attract and retain diverse employees to bolster their ESG performance. For instance, Abbott is gearing up to achieve gender balance with at least 45% female representation across STEM and global management roles. The company is on course to offer one million job and development opportunities by 2030. Commitment to diverse perspectives and ideas will drive innovation and help attain Sustainability plans.

Is your business one of participants to the Protein Supplements Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices

Governance Perspective

Investors, consumers, companies and governments are making informed decisions with good corporate governance practices, regulations, compliance with laws, transparency and board diversity, among others. To illustrate, in 2022, Glanbia updated its anti-bribery and corruption policy to reinforce fraud prevention procedures. Females represent 55.5% of the independent non-executive directors, the company exhorted in its Annual Report and Financial Statements 2022. Meanwhile, Abbott mentioned in its DEI Report 2021 that one-third of the leadership roles were held by people from underrepresented groups, while women accounted for 40% of the global management positions in 2021.

ESG reporting is expected to be pronounced as governments can mandate climate reporting by 2025. For instance, in April 2021, the EU Commission proposed a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. In September 2022, Kroger updated its ESG action plan to underscore its strategy and propel sustainable packaging. ESG disclosure, reporting and claims have gained momentum in 2023 and could be prevalent in the ensuing period.

As the industry forays into ESG reporting, incumbent players are slated to inject funds into organic and inorganic strategies that can help them transition their protein portfolios to meet sustainability goals. In 2023, NOW Foods announced shifting its supplement bottles to 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin. The step will enable the natural products company to reuse recycled packaging materials and minimize its carbon footprint. These dynamics suggest the global protein supplements market could depict an 8.5% CAGR through 2030.

Related Reports:

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• Dietary Supplements Industry ESG: https://astra.grandviewresearch.com/dietary-supplements-industry-esg-outlook
  
  
• Oat Milk Industry ESG: https://astra.grandviewresearch.com/oat-milk-industry-esg-outlook

About Astra – ESG Solutions by Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

 

ESG Initiatives in the Wires And Cables Industry

Sustainable development of society and advancements in renewable energy in the wires and cables industry have revved up the transition to a greener world. The energy crisis in Europe, with fluctuating supply and high prices, has compelled leaders to invest in renewable energy generation and rigorous climate action. According to IEA, EU electricity demand dipped by 3% in 2022, alluding to an avoidance of 14 bcm of gas demand. In September 2022, Eurostat reported that consumer electricity prices in the EU were 35% higher compared to the preceding year. Bullish demand for high-quality cable solutions will encourage industry players to invest in ESG goals.

The promotion of diversity and inclusion has ushered women into leadership positions. Many sites traditionally dominated by men have witnessed a paradigm shift. For instance, NKT has set an audacious target of at least 30% women in senior leadership positions in 2025. In essence, women contributed 22% of the company’s senior management roles in 2022. These visible initiatives have amped up the confidence of stakeholders to bolster their sustainable business operations.

Environmental Perspective

Decarbonizing energy generation and enhancing energy efficiency have become pivotal to fostering an environmental profile. Concerted efforts to reduce emissions and foster clean energy could mark the beginning of a roadmap bolstering environmental performance. For instance, in FY 2021, the Fujikura Group performed activities to minimize CO2 emissions by 4% or more vis-à-vis FY 2018. In 2016, the Japanese company built the Fujikura Group Environment Long-term Vision 2050, acknowledging the Paris Agreement adoption and the goal to minimize CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050. It has also set the goal to achieve carbon-neutral plants by 2050. In pursuing increased RoI, environmental sustainability will remain paramount across the business vertical.

Is your business one of the participants in the Wires and Cables Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices

Social Perspective

Sustainable development has garnered headlines with the need for fair, inclusive and diverse work culture, irrespective of gender, disability, ethnicity, neurodiversity or orientation. Industry players are likely to prioritize work-life balance and gender equality to enhance well-being and boost mental health. LEONI is gearing up for women to account for 20% of senior management positions by 2030. It is contemplating reducing its global accident rate to 0.3 by 2023 and expanding local health protection projects by 2025. Leading players are poised to emphasize a safe and comfortable work environment full of diversity. Wires and cables manufacturers are expected to prioritize occupational health & safety, human rights, corporate mentorship programs and talent attraction. 

Governance Perspective 

A sound corporate governance structure with transparency and ethics & compliance has become fundamental to sustainable growth. Ethical behavior has become paramount for data ethics, cyber security and combating bribery and corruption. Predominantly, Belden has set an audacious goal of achieving an understanding of the Code of Conduct from 100% of global non-productive team members. In 2020, the company formalized ESG’s board oversight; its ESG Steering Committee is responsible for ESG procedures, practices and other aspects. The company has taken a giant stride in fostering board diversity. In 2023, the St. Louis-headquartered company appointed a new Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to create and strengthen an environment of equity. Promoting a company culture that prioritizes employees, customers and other stakeholders with sustainability goals will stay ahead of the curve. 

Wires and cables manufacturers and suppliers have created a forward-looking approach towards business ethics and environmental goals through a strong ESG roadmap. For instance, Hellenic Cables is committed to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Besides, in 2021, it donated cables for infrastructure needs to institutions, including Municipality of Loutraki, Local Government of Evia and Municipality of Corinth, among others. These trends favor Grand View Research’s projection of the wires and cables market growing at a 4.4% CAGR between 2021 and 2028. 

About Astra – ESG Solutions By Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

Need expert consultation around identifying, analyzing and creating a plan to mitigate ESG risks related to your business? Share your concerns and queries, we can help!

                                                    

ESG Trends Reshaping the Future of Injection Molded Plastic Industry

Sustainability has come to the fore as a key pillar in developing an environmentally friendly injection molded plastic solution. Injection molders have exhibited a commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices amidst burgeoning plastic pollution. In May 2022, UNESCO’s Ocean Literacy Portal stated that plastic waste contributes 80% of all marine pollution. Meanwhile, merely 9% of plastic waste is recycled and 22% is mismanaged, according to an OECD report. Molding solution strategists across automotive, medical devices and packaging industries will emphasize reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions yet providing safe and reliable products with increased user experience. 

Embracing ESG principles have become invaluable to providing sustainably-focused services that foster teamwork and enhance lives and the livelihoods of the global community. In essence, forward-looking companies seek strong governance to integrate sustainability measures at every level and ensure their products are in line with environmental and social commitments. Stakeholders, including customers, employees, communities, investors, trade groups, industry associations and lenders, are investing in ESG goals to unlock growth potentials. 

Key Companies in this theme

    • ExxonMobil Corp.

    • BASF SE

    • DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

    • Dow, Inc.

    • Huntsman International LLC

Is your business one of participants to the Injection Molded Plastic Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices

Environmental Perspective

Industry leaders have upped their focus on minimizing carbon footprint and managing climate change risks. Reducing and reusing waste could be prevalent with bullish investment in waste diversion and recycling solutions. For instance, in December 2022, Exxon started one of the largest advanced recycling facilities in Texas, to break down plastics and transform them into raw materials for new products. The Baytown facility can process over 80 million pounds of plastic waste per year. The U.S. giant is contemplating recycling 1 billion pounds annually of used plastics by 2026. 

Sustainable companies have furthered their commitment to mitigate emissions in their operations. The company has injected over USD 10 billion in research, development and deployment of lower-emission energy solutions over the past two decades, according to the ExxonMobil 2021 Energy & Carbon Summary Report. Buoyant investments in ESG could make a difference and help stakeholders reach their goals. 

Social Perspective 

Incumbent players expect that promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), workplace safety, well-being and inclusivity will provide avenues of growth. Stakeholders have prioritized a sustainable framework to underscore employability and a work culture that can bolster the team’s performance. For instance, since 2022, BASF has been measuring employees’ sense of belonging with the inclusion index. It has a host of Employee Resource Groups globally—the LGBTQ+ network celebrated its 10th anniversary in Ludwigshafen, Germany, in 2022. 

Occupational safety has grabbed headlines as one of the major segments of the social pillar. The European company is gearing up to minimize lost-time injuries not exceeding 0.1 per 200,000 working hours by 2025. BASF furthered its emphasis on human rights and social standards. The company stated that 151 human rights-related complaints were received by phone, email and post in 2022, down from 206 in the preceding year. Diversity, safety and well-being will continue to be indispensable to further sustainable production in the injection molded plastic industry. 

Governance Perspective

The strength and effectiveness of a company largely depend upon transparency, corporate behavior, ethics & compliance, corporate governance and board diversity. A zero-tolerance policy for harassment and anonymous reporting tools could be prevalent. For instance, at Dow, 395 matters were reported to the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) in 2021. The Board oversees the company’s ESG priorities to ensure accountability and transparency. It introduced enhanced carbon emissions reporting and improved climate risk disclosure and GHG intensity metrics to bolster ESG reporting and disclosures, according to its 2nd annual integrated ESG report published in July 2022.

The company also upped its efforts on diversifying the board and ESG disclosures. The U.S.-headquartered company elected three new members in 2021 and 2022. Besides, as of August 2021, Dow’s board of directors was 55% women or U.S. ethnic minorities, exhibiting a commitment to inclusive corporate culture. The 2021 INtersections ESG Report included disclosures in line with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and World Economic Forum (WEF) Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics. 

With the global economy expanding, governance practices exhibit the company’s commitment to all stakeholders and concerted efforts toward long-term viability. Accordingly, well-established players and startups are poised to prioritize ESG strategies. For instance, Barnes Group emphasized women in leadership positions, indicating that four out of 12 directors are women, according to its 2021 ESG report. Meanwhile, in September 2021, DuPont announced it joined RE100 global initiative to propel its sustainability profile and exhort commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2050. These trends suggest injection molders will likely up their sustainability quotient to tap into the global landscape. It is worth noting that Grand View Research valued the injection molded plastic market at USD 284.7 billion in 2021. 

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About Astra – ESG Solutions by Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

The Rise of ESG in Smart Agriculture Industry

Stakeholders are establishing ethos to bolster environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in the smart agriculture industry. Forward-looking players are enriching the lives of producers and consumers through sustainable innovation to minimize environmental footprint. State-of-the-art technologies, including precision farming, automation, sensors and cloud computing, have become the next big thing in the agriculture industry. ESG investors are expected to drive capital flows to help farmers overcome livelihood and other barriers to adopting environmentally friendly smart technologies.

Governing bodies and watchdogs have vouched for building resilience for people, agriculture food system and sustainability to augment agricultural productivity and incomes. An unprecedented spike in the global population and shifting diets have spurred the demand for smart agriculture to manage cropland, forests and livestock.

A feature story on the World Bank website claimed that acute food insecurity in 2023 could overtake the food crisis witnessed in 2007-2008. With agriculture being prone to climate change, weather variability, soaring temperature and invasive crops have elicited challenges and opportunities for investors and other stakeholders. The World Bank infers that agriculture produces around 19–29% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Environmental Perspective

The agriculture sector is witnessing a seismic shift with an increased focus on minimizing emissions, preventing deforestation and bolstering productivity. Climate-smart agriculture has become paramount to avoid or reduce GHG emissions, reflecting expectations from stakeholders that businesses should deliver not only profits & revenue but also ESG performance. Extreme weather events showed the repercussions of climate change on agriculture.

Farms are expected to count on bespoke solutions to foster their sustainability strategies. For instance, Argus Controls uses a proprietary control algorithm to automate the growing process and forecast specific needs, including watering, lighting and feeding cycles. With sustainable production gaining a stronghold, the North American cannabis cultivation and manufacturing experts unveiled Sustainable Cannabis Coalition (SCC) in January 2021 to propel sustainability practices in the cannabis industry.

Social Perspective

Farmers and investors are responding to the need for sustainable agricultural practices to underpin economic and nutrition livelihoods, employee safety & well-being and reinforce diversity, equity and inclusion. AGCO Corporation initiated the FOCUS 2.0 program with a 40-step blueprint to create a robust safety culture. It reduced its total case incident rate (TCIR) by 14% in 2022 vis-à-vis the preceding year, the company mentioned in the 2022 Sustainability Report.

The American agricultural machinery manufacturer underscored employee engagement through programs, including Voices. Predominantly in 2022, almost 20,000 employees shared their voices in the annual Voices Survey. The company noted that its engagement score stood at 69% and is on course to take the tally to the 75% target by 2025. The U.S.-based company collaborated with the Faça Um Bem Incrível" (Make a Great Good) social project in Brazil that redirects fresh produce which would otherwise go to waste. The initiative fostered over 150 rural workers and 20 local food producers.

Is your business one of participants to the Smart Agriculture Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices

Governance Perspective

The need for the Board to provide sustainability strategy, goals and policies has fueled the significance of sound governance, transparency, ethics & compliance, diversity and good corporate behavior. For instance, Cargill formed an ESG Committee to underscore governance and accountability. It has teamed up with the World Economic Forum, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) to undergird operation and stakeholders' engagement.

The company has strengthened its ethics & compliance portfolio to set a foundation for sustainable growth. Cargill completed over 80,000 hours of mandatory online compliance training in 2022 on bribery and corruption, monitoring government donations & gifts and entertainment expenses. In January 2022, the company celebrated Ethics Week to foster employee ethics.

ESG investors expect farmers to overcome hurdles to adopt smart farming strategies. Accordingly, organic and inorganic strategies will be pronounced in the near terms. For instance, farmers in Sri Lanka augmented land under irrigation by 15% during the dry season, largely due to their training in the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) techniques. These dynamics validate Grand View Research's valuation of the global smart agriculture market at USD 14.44 billion in 2021 which could witness a double-digit CAGR of 10.8% between 2022 and 2030.

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About Astra – ESG Solutions by Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research