Sustainability
Strategy &
Organization
Anchoring Sustainability in our Business
To drive meaningful change, sustainability is embedded in Gurit’s strategy and all aspects of our operations. ESG is a shared responsibility across the entire Group.
We structure our sustainability work under three pillars: Environment, Social, Governance. Six cross-functional workstreams that span business units, sites, and line organizations ensure we take sustainability action at every level of the organization.
By having clearly identified roles and responsibilities, defining, reviewing and acting on targets has become an everyday part of life at Gurit, with current ambitions set until 2030.
Our ESG reporting requirements are evolving and demand rigorous, data-driven insights. To meet these expectations, we are continually enhancing data quality, refining collection processes, increasing digitalization, and preparing for higher assurance standards.
For details of our targets and progress, please see our latest Sustainability Report.
Risks and materiality
Gurit conducts double materiality analyses to assess our actual and potential impacts on the economy, environment, and society, while understanding how these factors influence our organization. This analysis helps us align sustainability goals with stakeholder expectations and identify ESG-related risks and opportunities.
Following internal and external workshops and initial research, we used resources such as SASB materiality maps, ESG trends, and regulatory requirements to compile a list of relevant topics.
These were discussed with stakeholders, including our Executive Committee, employees, customers, and suppliers, and were assessed against our business goals and commitments to the UN Global Compact and GRI Standards.
The double materiality analysis includes both Financial and Impact Materiality, resulting in a selection of 14 key sustainability topics across our strategy pillars, providing a clear focus on the sustainability priorities for our business.
TCFD
In 2024, we conducted a comprehensive climate-related assessment including reviewing risk and opportunities, aligning with the TCFD (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures) recommendations in accordance with art.964b of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) and the Swiss Ordinance on Climate Disclosure. Further details can be found on p47 of the latest Sustainability Report.
Environment
Material topics
Adaptation and mitigation of climate change: Efforts taken to limit the greenhouse gas emissions with the aim of minimizing the increase in the global average temperature, as well as adapting to actual and expected climate change consequences.
Pollution: Emissions to air, water and soil and their prevention, control and reduction.
Resource use and circular economy: Efforts to implement a system where the value of products, materials and other resources is maintained for as long as possible. Foster the recyclability of products and materials and commit to responsible production using sustainable materials, managing effective resource utilization, using green chemistry, and collecting and recycling waste to create new materials.
Energy: Reduce energy consumption.
Waste: Reduce waste generation.
Social
Material topics
Health and Safety: Ensure the health and safety of employees, customers, and suppliers.
Responsible Supply Chain: Encourage and request suppliers that they comply with social and environmental best practices which includes policies, risk assessments and corrective actions in cases of non-compliance and the identification of suppliers’ water and carbon footprints.
Respect of human rights: Procedures implemented to guarantee the respect of human rights, and abolition of child labor and forced labor across the supply chain.
Working conditions: Measures that guarantee job security which include secure employment, working time, adequate wages, social dialogue, work-life balance.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion: Non-discrimination and equal access to opportunities and resources for all employees including gender equality and equal pay for work of equal value, training and skills development, employment, and inclusion of persons with disabilities, and measures against violence and harassment in the workplace.
Environment
Material topics
Legal compliance: Comply with laws and regulations in place.
Business conduct: Run the business according to highest ethical and moral standards.
Customer satisfaction: Meet customers’ expectations with the products and services provided.
Product quality and solutions: Provide the best product quality and solutions to the customers.
Sustainability Ratings
Gurit received a gold medal from EcoVadis, ranking in the top 5% of companies assessed for sustainability across Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.
Gurit earned an A rating from MSCI, placing it among the top companies in the specialty chemicals sector for managing ESG risks.
Inrate awarded Gurit a score of 72/100 in its 2024 Z Rating Study on Corporate Governance, reflecting the company’s societal and environmental impact.
This year Gurit participated in CDP’s global environmental impact disclosure for the second time and received a B- score for climate, an improvement year on year.
Global Context
At Gurit, we align our sustainability ambitions with two major global frameworks: the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and its ten principles, and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
Several international entities, global conventions and governments have established targets in response to climate change and other sustainability challenges. Gurit is subject to the Swiss non-financial reporting obligations of art.964a et seqq. of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO). In line with the Swiss Ordinance on Climate Disclosures that entered into force on 1 January 2024, we have aligned our sustainability management and reporting with the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), which is deemed suitable for fulfilling the reporting obligations of companies under art.964a et seqq. CO.
Contributing to the United Nations SDGs:
Stakeholder Engagement
Our key stakeholders include customers, employees, investors, suppliers, and regional authorities, all of whom influence or are impacted by Gurit’s business activities. We actively engage with them to understand their expectations, concerns, and needs.
This structured approach ensures meaningful interactions and fosters transparency across all stakeholder groups.
- Shareholders: Engagement occurs at the Annual General Meeting, with ongoing communication through biannual media and analyst conferences.
- Customers: We gather insights through surveys, face-to-face meetings, trade shows, and industry events.
- Industry Partners: We collaborate via chambers of commerce, industry associations, conferences, and research partnerships, focusing on challenges like sustainability and advanced composites.
- Suppliers: Regular dialogue is maintained through direct communication and online surveys.
- Employees: The Gurit Executive team holds quarterly calls and additional sessions with senior management to share updates and address questions. A global employee engagement initiative includes surveys, focus groups, and town hall meetings in local languages.
Gurit Sustainability Awards
The Gurit Sustainability Awards aim to engage our employees with our sustainability goals, celebrate achievements and offer recognition for the efforts of our staff and sites, and encourage continued particpation across all levels.
Local Community Award:
Gurit Magog (Canada)
Castle Creek Stream Cleanup for Community & Environment
Our Canadian colleagues joined Action St-François in Castle Creek to remove waste from watercourses and direct it to recycling centers. This effort underscores environmental responsibility and fosters positive views on conservation.
Resource Utilization Award:
Gurit Chennai (India)
Recycling Wooden Pallets for Dispatch Efficiency
Our team in India recycles incoming wooden pallets and uses them for customer orders, diverting 38.3 tons of waste annually. This sustainable practice reduces disposal costs and reinforces environmental responsibility and compliance.
