How Solidus supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals: A commitment to a sustainable future

Sustainability is at the heart of Solidus’ business. In line with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we are dedicated to help creating a healthier planet. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN provide a framework for tackling global challenges like climate change, resource management, and social inequality. Solidus is actively contributing to five of these goals through various initiatives across the business.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6: Clean water and sanitation

The first of the Sustainable Development Goals we highlight at Solidus, SDG 6, emphasises the importance of clean water and sanitation for all.

Solidus’ mills are strategically located in water-rich regions to be able to produce cardboard, but as a company we recognise the critical importance of managing water as a finite and essential resource. We are committed to minimising our water footprint and protecting local water bodies.

We use water-efficient processes and equipment, such as closed-loop systems and automated controls, which significantly reduce our water consumption. Solidus is committed to proactive water management, promoting responsible water use and addressing water-related challenges through continuous monitoring and reporting. In our facilities equipped with anaerobic water treatment systems, wastewater is treated efficiently and biogas is generated as a by-product. This biogas serves as a sustainable energy source onsite, effectively replacing the equivalent amount of natural gas.

In this video you can learn more about our anaerobic water treatment systems:

SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy

Another goal is affordable and clean energy, which is essential for global development.

Solidus invests in sustainable energy, including the installation of 7,000 solar panels at our Oude Pekela plant in the Netherlands. This investment has significantly reduced our carbon footprint and supports a clean energy transition.

SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production

Responsible consumption and production are essential in addressing the climate crisis. Each stage of production or manufacturing is an opportunity to reduce the use of resources and fossil fuels, promote innovation, save energy, reduce emissions and promote a circular economy.

At Solidus, circularity is key: over 90% of the fibres we use are recovered paper, mainly sourced locally. These fibres can be recycled up to 25 times, reducing waste and lowering our carbon footprint.

Part of Solidus’ mission is to combat waste, especially food waste. The inventive structural designs of our solid board packaging preserve the protective properties of packaging, including food contact barrier properties, while reducing waste and resource use. These approaches not only reduce environmental impact, but also deliver cost savings and operational efficiencies for our customers.

SDG 13: Climate action

Urgent climate action is needed to tackle the ongoing climate crisis. Climate records were broken in 2023, highlighting the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

At Solidus, we are committed to combatting climate change and reducing carbon emissions throughout our value chain. We have set a specific climate target to reduce absolute CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030.

Our Coevorden mill is a testament to our commitment to move towards carbon neutral cardboard production. The mill is close to being fossil-free thanks to a symbiotic steam supply agreement with a neighbouring company, which converts a wood waste stream into heat.

This approach makes the Coevorden mill a leader in the paper and packaging industry. Using biomass energy for a more sustainable and future-proof production process supports customers’ needs for low-carbon packaging materials.

SDG 15: Life on land

Finally, the last Sustainable Development Goal Solidus is working on is ‘Life on land’, which focuses on restoring and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, halting and reversing land degradation and halting biodiversity loss.

Solidus’ solid board products are PEFC or FSC® certified (FSC-C023739). By using PEFC or FSC® certified products, we can assure our clients and end users that the products we make are produced in accordance with this sustainable method of forest management.

In addition, Solidus has planted thousands of trees as a Christmas gift to our customers in recent years. In partnership with Trees for All, we have planted forests both in the Netherlands and in central Vietnam. By planting trees, Solidus contributes to the restoration of biodiversity, giving plants and animals the opportunity to thrive again.

The Sustainable Development Goals are important for building a better world. Solidus is motivated to continue working on these SDGs. Through our commitment to sustainability, we are actively contributing to a healthier planet.

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