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Sustainability
We are committed to Nature
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Nature: a strong and sustainable chain of custody
Environmental protection and biodiversity are core values in Indena’s operations and development, serving as pillars of our holistic approach.
“From Nature to Science and From Science to Nature” is the vision that the company has embraced since its foundation in 1921. A bond with nature that is confirmed across all of our impact-reducing strategies: promoting sustainable innovation, reducing the use of natural resources, adopting strictly responsible sourcing policies, and implementing the principles of the circular economy.
Key facts and figures
In 2017, we joined forces with Sedex, an important international organization that promotes the sustainable management of supply chains worldwide by monitoring the ethics of companies through a big data collection platform.
100
Botanical species involved
30+
Countries of origin
150
Supply chains
250+
Suppliers
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WHAT WE DO TO ADDRESS BIODIVERSITY LOSS
Our deep commitment to the sustainable use of raw materials begins by taking the necessary actions to protect biodiversity – in every process we control directly, as well as through our support to reliable partners and suppliers. Together, we strive to preserve nature’s richness for all.
Our supply chain management system
We care about where plants are grown and how they are handled, and for the people who are responsible for them, every step of the way.
Our system is based on 5 key points and allows us to create added value for our clients and our stakeholders by reinforcing a foundation of quality and reliability.
1. Full traceability
We oversee the entire process, from seed to finished product: detailed information is available per single supplier of vegetal material and year of production, through the Annual Production Records. This strong chain of custody is crucial to foresee and address the possible risks.
2. Supplier qualification
We carefully select suppliers in accordance with internal procedures and strict criteria to verify compliance and to ensure excellent standards of quality, cost-effectiveness, and social and environmental responsibility and safety.
We further invest in our raw material suppliers’ sustainability performance, with dedicated training activities and a robust ESG assessment and monitoring system.
3. Good agricultural practices
Corresponding to the implementation of the Guidelines on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin.
4. Social and environmental risk management
To make our 150 supply chains increasingly sustainable, we launched a sustainable sourcing program in 2013. This allows us to manage sustainability risks connected to botanical raw materials, with a special focus on communities’ safety and wellbeing, biodiversity conservation and sustainable regeneration of wild species.
5. Cultivated species over wild
After years of agronomic research, with reliable partners and strong commitment, today, most of the plant species in our portfolio are cultivated, on land owned directly by us or by third parties, under the strict control of our agronomists and botanists.
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WHAT WE DO TO ADDRESS FOOD WASTE
Food nourishes growth and health: it is a precious resource that cannot go to waste in a framework of awareness, widespread efficiency and positive impact.
We introduce circularity from the product design phase
To optimize the use of the resources at our disposal, and to extract the maximum potential from materials that would otherwise be discarded, we look to the principles of the circular economy to help us upcycle food waste and reduce our environmental footprint.
From linear to circular
A circular design model is based on 3 principles:
- Upcycle or reuse waste
- Circulate products and materials
- Regenerate Nature
VIRTUOUS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FOR CIRCULARITY
The transition to circularity is a long journey, requiring a variety of actions to gradually mitigate environmental impacts. That’s why, at Indena, we look for opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle – starting from where we can generate the biggest difference: our products and processes.
Mirtoselect®
The Fully Circular Bilberry Extract
How can a small berry make a difference for people’s health and global sustainability?
By offering an extract with well-documented antioxidant properties, based on a sustainable supply chain to protect biodiversity, and followed by a circular zero-waste production process.
CONTINUE EXPLORING OUR SUSTAINABILITY PILLARS
Technology
Technology is our greatest ally in innovating our business, optimizing the use of natural resources, and turning our footprint into positive environmental impact. That’s why our facilities have always invested in state-of-the-art equipment.
People
We live by clear values and feel great responsibility toward all of our stakeholders. We believe a company is only as good as its people and we work to positively impact our partners, and the communities who live where we operate.
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Read more about our journey through sustainability
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