Distributor of specialty chemicals and food ingredients, Azelis, has released its first sustainability report as a testimony of its global sustainability efforts and actions. With this report, the company covers its 2019 group-wide sustainability performance and demonstrates how its commitments to sustainability are put into action by creating shared value with innovative and sustainable products and positively impacting global communities.

After its second and consecutive EcoVadis Gold rating and membership to “Together for Sustainability” as announced earlier this year, the company believes that innovation and sustainable business can provide long-term partnerships with customers and suppliers and considerable benefits to society.

Sustainability milestones
“2020 marks a few important sustainability milestones for Azelis. We are excited to release our first sustainability report in which we bring Azelis’ global sustainability efforts to life,” says Dr. Hans Joachim Müller, CEO of Azelis. 

“We hope that this report will influence and excite our partners about the ever-important sustainability journey, while also inspiring and exciting them about our transition to a sustainable business. We are confident that only a joint effort for more sustainable solutions will strengthen the relationships with our business partners who are equally responsible and equally dedicated, and will result in preservation of resources for future generations,” explains Dr. Müller.

Azelis’s focus on sustainability is in line with its strategy to become the global benchmark for sustainability in the chemicals and food ingredients distribution industry.

Soon after initial commitments to Responsible Care & Responsible Distribution, Azelis laid the groundwork for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program in 2015, following the Paris Agreement on climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the UN. Azelis’ CSR program is based on the UN Global Compact initiative, ISO 26000 and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), built on 25 key performance indicators (KPIs) within four main pillars: People, Sustainable Procurement, Fair Business Practices and Resources & Environment.

“We believe that only innovation and sustainable business models can offer long-term partnerships with customers and suppliers and considerable benefits to society,” notes Maria J. Almenar Martin, Group Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) and Sustainability Director at Azelis. 

“We’re continually investing in the development of a new generation of sustainable formulations through the work done in our network of laboratories, while also introducing new initiatives to develop strategies that mitigate business risks as a consequence of climate change and social unrest. We hope this sustainability report gives our partners a clear view of our ambitions and goals, and our colleagues another confirmation of how sustainability is deeply rooted in all we do,” she adds.

Sustainability is a crucial pillar of Azelis’ strategy, next to digitalization and its aspiration to be the leading service provider for the industries it serves. Azelis is working towards the transition to a sustainable future by being an employer that fosters equal opportunities and embraces diversity across its business. The company is also creating innovative sustainable formulations in its labs, ensuring the sustainable use of resources while continually reducing the environmental impact and by responsibly conducting its business.