deSter’s releases 2023 Sustainability Report, highlighting progress and milestones

This 2023 report builds on deSter’s first Sustainability Report in 2022, which laid the groundwork for much of the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, also known as the #PeoplePlanetProduct initiative. The 2023 report marks a significant step forward.  

In 2023, the company carefully evaluated and measured progress against the goals and critical indicators set in its #PeoplePlanetProduct initiative. In addition, deSter refined its ESG strategy by conducting its first double materiality assessment to confirm and fine-tune the most impactful sustainability areas as described by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) of the European Union. 

As a testament to its progress, deSter earned a prestigious EcoVadis Gold rating in 2023, positioning it in the top 2% of evaluated companies in the industry. Among the report’s many highlights, the following achievements demonstrate the company’s holistic approach to ESG:   

 People: 

• Achieved an employee Net Promotor Score of 9.2 

• Reduced voluntary turnover by half  

• A well-being program has been established. Several initiatives have been launched 

• Enhanced health and safety standards, achieving a global lost-time injury rate of 0.15, which is significantly below the industry standard of 0.46 in Belgium 

• Conducted the first global employee survey to gather valuable feedback and insights, with a 79% participation rate 

• Doubled training hours per employee, from 12.6 in 2022 to 25.29 in 2023 

• Maintained a 51/49 men-to-women gender balance and represented 43+ nationalities among 1000+ employees worldwide 

• 97% of deSter’s suppliers committed to the company’s social and environmental goals, up from 90% in 2022 via its Code of Conduct. 

• Significantly increased the number of audited suppliers and corresponding corrective action plans  

• Organized and hosted various community events, including plastic cleanups, educational sessions, and student engagement initiatives and a collaboration with the Belgian NGO River Cleanup 

Planet:  

• Achieved a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2019. surpassing the company’s 2025 goal of a 25% carbon footprint reduction on scope 1, 2 and 3 and ensuring deSter is on track for future targets. This reduction is mainly driven by deSter’s progress on product circularity and expansion of local production. 

• Calculated all greenhouse gas emission scopes (1,2 and 3) according to the greenhouse gas protocol and had it externally audited 

• Reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 44% compared to 2019, primarily through investments in energy-efficient machinery 

• deSter established its first CDP report in 2023 and is committed to SBTi 

• 42% reduction in operational waste since 2019, ensuring deSter is on track to eliminate waste by the end of 2030 

• Achieved a 71% reduction in polystyrene material use compared to 2019 

• Formalized a commitment to Operation Clean Sweep, an industry-led program that supports eliminating plastic resin loss in operations  

Product:  

• Continued to exclusively launch new products that are reusable, recyclable, or compostable   

• Increased revenue from sustainable products to 61% of total revenue in 2023  

• Increase in revenue in reusable (21%) and compostable (40%) packaging of total revenue 2023 

• Reduced the weight of single-use plastics sold by more than half (52%) since 2019  

• Recycled 71% of operational waste (up from 57%) since 2019 

• Increased use of FSC-certified products from 11% in 2019 to 44% in 2023, aiming for more than half (55%) of products with virgin fibers to be FSC-certified by 2025 

• Began producing PFAS-free wet-molded fiber products in-house 

• Currently partnering with five airlines in a closed-loop recycling program across three continents 

Sustainability is integral to deSter’s vision for growth, both for the planet and the business. “In an ever-changing world, it is important to keep moving and changing to stay relevant as a company,” said Stef Van de Perre, the President and Managing Director of deSter. “It is about anticipating our customers’ needs and proactively responding to new regulations. That is why we constantly invest in design, production methods, and innovative technologies – all of which go hand in hand with creating a positive impact on people and the environment.” 

“Our strong ESG performance benefits deSter and supports our partners in their sustainability goals,” he added. “I invite everyone to read our second ESG report – it is a testament to our ongoing commitment to sustainability.” 

For more information about deSter and to access the full Sustainability Report, please click here.