Business
Matas A/S : Climate and Environmental Policy
Matas A/S : Climate and Environmental
About this update from Matas A/s
Cllmato and Envlronmental Pollen Introduction, purpose and scope At Matas Group, we recognise climate change as one of the most significant environmental challenges affecting society, ecosystems and long-term business resilience. Addressing climate change requires decisive action, transparency and collaboration across our own operations and throughout our value chain. This Climate and Environmental Policy applies to all Matas Group subsidiaries and sets out how Matas Group works with climate mitigation, climate adaptation and responsible consumption of resources, and describes the principles that guide our actions and how we engage with suppliers and partners. This Policy is supported by our Supplier Code of Conduct, which defines minimum climate and environmental requirements and expectations for suppliers. Climate mitigation At Matas Group, we recognise that mitigating climate change requires a shared commitment and transparency across our entire value chain. We have set targets for reducing the impact of our own operations and are encouraging our suppliers to follow suit. Principles for climate change mitigation Science-based targets and action We align our climate efforts with recognised scientific frameworks and international climate goals. Consistency between own operations and value chain The principles we apply to our own activities are reflected in the expectations we set for our suppliers. Shared responsibility and collaboration Meaningful climate impact can only be achieved through cooperation across the value chain. Credibility and transparency We prioritise documented, credible claims and actions to avoid greenwashing and to build trust with stakeholders. Matas Groups' science-based targets Matas Group is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across our own operations and value chain in line with internationally recognised climate science. We have set science-based climate targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), covering our own operations and upstream value chain. Our targets cover: Setting absolute emission reduction targets for our direct operations Engaging strategically with suppliers to ensure that a growing share of our value chain is aligned with science-based climate targets. To deliver on these commitments, we work systematically to reduce emissions in our own operations, including through energy efficiency initiatives and the increased use of renewable energy where feasible. 2.2. Climate engagement with suppliers We recognise that a significant share of our climate impact lies within our value chain. Therefore, collaboration with suppliers is essential to achieving our climate ambitions. For large and medium-sized suppliers, as well as suppliers who own or operate production facilities regardless of size, we expect proactive climate action. This includes: Setting science-aligned climate targets, for example through SBTi or equivalent recognised frameworks Developing clear and time-bound plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For all suppliers, regardless of size or role, we expect engagement in open dialogue with manufacturers and other supply chain partners to better understand: Energy consumption The climate footprint of products Opportunities to reduce emissions. These expectations are aligned with the requirements set out in Matas Group's Supplier Code of Conduct and reflect the same principles we apply to our own operations. Climate adaptation and resilience In addition to emission reductions, Matas Group recognises the importance of climate adaptation. Climate change will affect the stability of our supply chains, product availability and business continuity over time. Strengthening resilience across the value chain is a shared responsibility. We seek to understand climate-related risks relevant to our business and encourage our suppliers and partners to consider how physical climate risks may affect their own operations, sourcing and logistics. To understand and manage physical risks related to Matas Group's own operations, we have introduced an ESG clause for all lease agreements, where we engage with potential new lessors, to understand how they are mitigating potential physical climate risk affecting their leases. This is a shared first step to understand how climate change is affecting our own operations, and how we can adapt to a warmer society, together with our partners and suppliers. Packaging and circularity Our approach to packaging covers both our own warehouse and logistics operations and the development of packaging for Matas Group's in-house brands in collaboration with our suppliers. Packaging plays a critical role in ensuring product quality, safety and integrity, while also contributing to resource use and waste generation. Principles for responsible packaging and resource use Product quality, safety and integrity first We recognise that packaging is essential to protect product quality, safety and stability. Packaging must ensure hygiene, prevent damage and contamination, support self-life, and provide sufficient consumer information. Resource optimisation and circular design must never compromise product safety, transparency or regulatory compliance. Use only the resources necessary We seek to avoid unnecessary use of materials and aim to reduce resource consumption wherever possible, while maintaining product safety, quality and functionality. Design for recyclability and circularity We recognise that packaging design plays a crucial role in enabling effective recycling and circular material flows. Clear consumer guidance We acknowledge the importance of helping consumers dispose of packaging correctly and work to improve clarity and usability of recycling guidance. In line with these principles, Matas Group works to reduce packaging resources by minimising the use of virgin materials, increasing the use of recycled and renewable materials where possible, and promoting packaging designs that support recyclability and circularity if we can ensure that all packaging continues to fulfil its protective, hygienic and informational functions. Principles for packaging and resource use for in-house brands For our in-house brands, we continuously review and improve packaging solutions in collaboration with suppliers to balance product protection, consumer safety and environmental responsibility. The following principles guide product development in collaboration with our in-house brand suppliers: Mono-material and separability Where product functionality allows, we aim for product packaging to be mono-material. Where this is not feasible, our aim is that packaging is easy to separate to support effective recycling. Reduced resource use and recycled content We work with suppliers to reduce overall resource use in new product development and prioritise the use of recycled materials, such as post-consumer recycled (PCR) or post-industrial recycled (PIR) content, if feasible and available, and wherever this does not compromise product safety and functionality. Packaging layers We aim to reduce packaging wherever possible. Secondary packaging may be used where required for hygiene, product protection, transport robustness or regulatory product information. Consumer guidance and waste sorting We provide clear guidance to customers on correct waste disposal to ensure maximum recyclability of packaging. Principles for packaging and resource use for our logistics and operations Packaging used in our logistics and e-commerce operations must ensure safe and damage-free transport of products to stores and customers. Our principles are: Protection and transport safety first Transport and e-commerce packaging must be sufficient to prevent damage, leakage and contamination during handling and delivery. Right-sizing and material efficiency We aim to use packaging that is appropriately sized and avoid unnecessary void fill and over-packaging. Recyclable and low-impact materials Where possible, we prioritise recyclable, recycled and renewable materials for transport packaging. Continuous optimisation We continuously review and improve packaging solutions in our warehouse and logistics operations to reduce waste and material use without compromising transport safety. Circular packaging solutions We follow the development of circular and reusable packaging solutions for e-commerce and logistics and assess their relevance for Matas Group. We encourage suppliers to