Sustainability

Our long-term objective is to source all of our raw materials in a way that minimizes any negative environmental and human rights impact

At the same time, we look to do this in a way that creates real, lasting value for all our stakeholders.

We view sustainable procurement as a prerequisite for our long-term commercial success, because we use thousands of raw materials from all over the world and are heavily reliant on their availability, quality and price stability.
In order to use these raw materials efficiently, Symrise applies the principles of the circular economy across all levels of the value chain.
Discover how we put this claim into practice

Consumers across the world are also increasingly concerned about protecting the environment, non-exploitation, forest conservation and natural qualities – as such, the provenance and source of the products they purchase and consume is of growing importance. To continue to create solutions for our customers that are loved by consumers worldwide, we need to continue to meet and exceed these changing consumer needs.

We work closely with both our customers and our suppliers to advance the social and ecological conditions that allow us to achieve these criteria.

We achieve a particularly high impact on:
Decent work and economic growth
Responsible consumption and production
Climate action
Life below water
Life on land
Partnerships for the goals

Sustainability along the value chain

Sustainability along the value chain
Human rights
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Sustainability along the value chain – focus on human rights

Our responsible procurement policy and supplier code of conduct

This guideline is a further step forward in the development of our sustainable procurement. It replaces the procurement guideline already developed in 2016 and provides a binding framework for our suppliers. It reflects our commitment to making a positive impact as a company.

As a signatory to the UN Global Compact and a committed supporter of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as numerous international and industry-specific standards, this is of particular importance to us.

Read the Policy

Nature is vital to Symrise’s existence. We use 10,000 raw materials from over 100 countries for our products. Most of our materials are biologically based, originating from a richly diverse environment. Through this Policy, we are asking suppliers to join us in a communal obligation to respect every aspect of the ecosystem surrounding us. Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, Chief Executive Officer of Symrise

Illuminating our supply chains

Transparency and traceability are key to securing successful, sustainable supply chains

Achieving full transparency and traceability across our supply chains is an ongoing challenge for a number of reasons. The often highly complex material flows and differing objectives among the participants involved mean that it’s essential to clearly define guidelines and visibility at every step.

All of our suppliers must adhere to our Code of Conduct, which involves delivering full disclosure as to the origin of their raw materials. As a SEDEX member, we can also rate the performance of our main suppliers in terms of factors such as human rights, the environment, health and safety, integrity and additional ethical criteria.

Our ability to understand and improve such factors not only helps secure our supply chain, it also gives our customers and consumers the valuable insights into their products that they increasingly demand.

Bridging the gap

Bridging the gap

With the “Bridging the Gap” program, which is in line with the UN Global Compact, Symrise enables learning partnerships between suppliers and customers, making unique direct connections across the entire value network. These transparent networks allow Symrise to help design effective intervention programs that improve local conditions for farmers and give customers confidence that they have a continuous overview of their extended supply chain.

By 2023, we want to ensure that more than 70 percent of the farmers involved are applying climate-smart and regenerative cultivation practices, that they have easier access to financial resources, and that young entrepreneurs receive targeted local support.

This is one way in which the company commits to the important Sustainable Development Goal 17 set by the United Nations.

Backward integration in our vanilla supply chain

Exemplary commitment: Backward integration in our vanilla supply chain

A milestone for Madagascar

Strategic backward integration is one of our key strategies for ensuring responsible procurement. For us, this means ensuring access to quality, traceable and secure key raw materials. To achieve these goals, we try to be as close to the raw materials as possible without owning farm land or cultivating raw materials ourselves.

We’re proud to be achieving this across our Madagascan vanilla sourcing, and we’ve been able to create direct value that benefits all participants. The increased visibility and control over our production processes also allows us to implement widespread environmental and social improvements. The result is a guarantee of consistently high-quality raw materials for us and our customers.

Explore our sustainable vanilla sourcing

Backward integration in our citrus fruit supply chain

Exemplary commitment: Backward integration in our citrus fruit supply chain

In the procurement of natural raw materials, Symrise is going back along the entire value chain and seeking to work shoulder to shoulder with the farmers who produce citrus fruits on their plantations. This gives us the opportunity to influence how and in what quality the raw materials are produced. We can also help local communities improve their living conditions. This backward integration ensures our ability to deliver even in phases of shortages in raw materials. Responsible use of raw materials is ensured at Symrise through circular economic practices in which valuable products are developed from byproducts of raw materials processing.

Explore our sustainable citrus fruit sourcing

Contact

Symrise Friedrich-Wilhelm Micus

Friedrich-Wilhelm Micus

Director Corporate Communications

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