Background

The second Group in Europe and the fifth in the world in terms of tissue paper production capacity, Sofidel manages and coordinates the activities of 16 companies for the production and converting of tissue paper, located throughout 13 countries in Europe and the United States.

The company has more than 1.4 million tonnes of annual production capacity – including toilet paper, kitchen towels, napkins, handkerchiefs and tissues – involving over 6,600 employees and net sales of 2,095 million of euro. The total purchase of virgin fibrous raw material equalled 1,162,613 ADMT (Air Dry Metric Tons) in 2021.

Sofidel places strategic importance on sustainability and responsible pulp sourcing: in 2021, the provision of virgin fibrous raw material was 80.25% FSC® certified; 17.78% PEFC™ certified and 1.97% FSC® Controlled Wood. The forestry material is coming mainly from South America (52.9%), Europe (44.9%), and North America (2.2%).

Sofidel aims to improve its performance in collaboration with WWF and within the Forests Forward Program. With WWF, Sofidel continues its partnership that began in 2008 with the Climate Savers program. Sofidel also works with WWF internationally on other projects promoting responsible forest management and developing educational projects related to the Regina brand in Italy.

Scope of Work

Under Forests Forward, Sofidel aims to include within the company’s sourcing policy effective commitments towards deforestation, ecosystem conversion, and human rights in priority areas within company’s supply chains, to fulfil due diligence requirements for suppliers. The main target is to improve social and environmental policies and performance by:

• strengthening supplier’s engagement program;
• implementing an effective monitoring and assessment system;
• improving and implementing of a Code of Conduct for suppliers.

As the first step, Sofidel will revise sourcing policy in cooperation with WWF Italy, improving the Suppliers Engagement Program with the update of the Supplier’s Code of Conduct and overall performance on responsible sourcing.
Next, Sofidel is aiming to define a set of restoration / remedy actions in priority sourcing areas, involving proactively their suppliers.

Targets will be defined after the completion of the analysis of the supply chain.