The Pathfinder: a new step in Naturex’s sustainability strategy
Avignon, 22nd September 2014 – Naturex unveils new developments in its sustainability program by disclosing its achievements and reveals the targets set out for the coming years.
‘Pathfinder’ reflects Naturex’s ability to explore new roads to sustainability without applying a rigid model. Serge Sabrier, President of Naturex’s Sustainability Committee, said: “Our paths are not mapped; they’re made by listening to local people and understanding the particularities of an environment. It reflects our continuous drive to go one step further. This is what we stand for and how we behave as a company. These values form the basis of our behavior towards employees, suppliers, customers and shareholders.”
One year after the publication of its own Sustainability Principles, the group is releasing its first sustainability Pathfinder report, structured around 4 pillars: Sourcing, Operations, People and Innovation which charts the progress the company has made and reveals the objectives set out.
Naturex illustrates the Pathfinder philosophy in the way it puts the values of proximity, quality and respect at the heart of its procurement practices for raw materials. For example, Naturex encourages partners to collect only the secondary roots of devil’s claw in Namibia in order to preserve the resource. As part of its operations, the group reconciles the demands of competitiveness while ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for Naturex employees and respecting the environment. As an example, the water treatment station in Avignon is completely underground to ensure its seamless integration into the surrounding landscape. Innovation is highlighted by ORTESA, a partnership between Naturex and the University of Avignon designed to develop eco-friendly extraction techniques.
From a social perspective, the company’s Foundation keeps expanding its actions in communities where Naturex sources and processes its raw materials.
Serge Sabrier added: “Naturex’s Pathfinder strategy is wide ranging and ambitious, but we are not daunted by the challenge. Sustainable business practices are not optional; they are essential, especially for the botanical ingredients sector to continue to thrive. We are proud to be leading the way in our quest to operate in a manner that respects both the planet and the people.”
The Pathfinder report is available for download at http://www.naturex.com/company/sustainability.html
About Naturex:
Naturex is the global leader in specialty plant-based natural ingredients. Through its dedicated business units, the Group addresses the specific needs of 3 strategic markets: Food & Beverage, Nutrition & Health, and Personal Care. The company offers its customers a full array of high quality ingredients, responsibly sourced from nature for food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic applications.
Naturex’s head office is Avignon, France. The company employs more than 1,600 people and benefits from 8 sourcing offices around the world and high-performance manufacturing operations across 16 sites in Europe, Morocco, the United States, Brazil, Australia, and India. It also has a global commercial presence through a dedicated network of 25 sales offices.
www.naturex.com
