Sustainable sourcing
Rethinking the value chain
Responsibility
along the supply chain
When dealing with climate and resources in relation to our own products, we also have to look at the upstream and downstream value chain. Only in this way can deficits, risks, and social and ecological impacts be identified and avoided. In our value chain, a large proportion of greenhouse gas emissions, but also other environmental impacts and influences on the loss of biodiversity, occur in the downstream, but especially in the upstream value chain. We therefore have a special responsibility with regard to our supply chain. However, this also gives Jokey the opportunity to use the lever to avoid significant negative impacts on the environment and people. In addition to ecological issues, social aspects are also relevant and affect human rights, but also working conditions and fair business practices. We want to question the impact that we have – directly or indirectly – through our business activities and implement solutions together.
Sustainability is therefore at the centre of our purchasing decisions. In cooperation with our stakeholders, we have defined our goals for sustainable procurement in three pillars:
1. Climate Path
By committing to science-based climate targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), Jokey is striving to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions group-wide along a 1.5°C path (see chapter “Our sustainability engagement”). Emissions intensity plays a central role in this and is also a decisive criterion in our purchasing decisions.
Jokey is currently integrating a CO2 data management system into the Jokey ERP system, which will be filled with existing secondary data in an initial step. This will increase transparency and enable us to view the respective CO2 footprints of all relevant inventory elements.
In addition, we are continuously implementing measures to switch to green energy. For example, in addition to our German locations, our locations in Poland (since 2021) and Serbia (since 2023) have also switched completely to green electricity when purchasing energy.
2. Circular economy – 360° responsibility
Jokey has set itself the goal of continuously increasing the use of recycled materials and of systematically promoting the conversion of production processes and infrastructure to recyclable raw materials in order to conserve resources. In the long term, we want to substitute new plastics wherever possible and replace auxiliary and operating materials with recyclable alternatives.
This commitment is confirmed by our certifications. In 2023, certification according to EN 15343 for mechanical recyclates started. Jokey Ibérica was the first Jokey plant to successfully complete the certification process. Certification for all other European locations is planned for 2024.
Since the introduction of the RAL quality mark of the Gütegemeinschaft Rezyklate aus haushaltsnahen Wertstoffsammlungen e. V. (Quality Association for Recyclates from Post-Consumer Recyclates) in 2019, we have been enabling our customers to provide certified proof of the use of genuine post-consumer recyclates from household collections.
In addition, the ISCC Plus certification also covers the area of mass balance materials (e.g. for chemically recycled plastics or biocircular plastics). This enables us to guarantee our customers seamless traceability of the recyclates used and a valid calculation of the recyclate content in our products. Jokey uses this to certify its controlled recyclate formulations in order to enable reliable verification of the use of recycled plastics in products and legally compliant declaration of the recyclate content.
3. Social and ecological responsibility
In order to evaluate material aspects of social and ecological risks with our suppliers and to eliminate them through appropriate measures, we introduced a systematic risk assessment of our supplier base in 2023: the Jokey Supplier Risk Assessment (JSRA).
The risk assessment of our supplier base was carried out in two steps: First, suppliers were evaluated in the abstract on the basis of country and commodity group risks (Abstract Risk Assessment). In the second step, specific individual assessments were then carried out with high-risk suppliers (Concrete Risk Assessment). In doing so, we followed the recommendation of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control. We conducted and evaluated interviews with our top suppliers, as determined by web screening, with regard to individual risks and developed initial corrective measures on this basis. We see cooperation in the supply chain as a dynamic learning process for all parties involved. That is why we attach great importance to continuous exchange.
What we have set out to achieve
Our ambitions and goals
Our ambitions in the area of sustainable supply chain management are aligned with the content of SDGs 3, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 17. They also arise from our commitments within the UN Global Compact on human rights, labour standards, the environment and climate, and corruption prevention.
The Jokey Eco Concept includes the development of a sustainable supply chain within the first pillar, Eco Strategy (see also the chapter “Our sustainability strategy – our goals”).
Our measures
for CO2 reduction in procurement
CO2 data management
In order to continuously record, control and reduce the CO2 footprint of the supply chain, we are creating more transparency with regard to the products we purchase and their impact on the climate by storing the CO2 data for each purchased product in the ERP system.
Cross-functional teams
Here, managers from different areas work together to implement the purchase of green energy and energy-efficient machines at our locations.
Energy management
Our suppliers and business partners are also involved in the search for opportunities to improve energy management. Energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies are important evaluation criteria in our purchasing decisions.
Our measures
for a circular economy in procurement
Expansion of the supplier base
We will continue to adapt and optimise our procurement portfolio with regard to the purchase of sustainable materials.
Purchase of high-quality recyclates
In view of the future substitution targets for new plastics with recycled plastics, we are constantly working to increase the availability and quality of the recyclates we use. On the one hand, we are focusing on developing suitable suppliers, but we are also working with partners to establish our own closed loops. In 2022, Jokey also initiated a joint research project with the Institute for Plastics and Circular Economy (IKK) to explore the use of recycled polypropylene (rPP) in food quality (see also the chapter “Jokey Eco Concept”).
Pilot projects for the production of recycled materials
In the substitution of new plastics, we primarily rely on recyclates from mechanical recycling processes. Recyclates from chemical recycling processes could, in the long term, lead to circular product solutions – especially in the food sector. We have also initiated pilot projects with partners in this area. For example, we use ISCC Plus-certified PP polymers (see also the “Jokey Eco Concept” chapter).
Commitments, guidelines
and the integration of our suppliers
We incorporate our suppliers and partners into our voluntary commitments through our supplier charter, our code of conduct and our membership of the UN Global Compact. Only a strong supplier or partner who works according to the same principles and values can enter into a business relationship with us. New suppliers must therefore accept our charter before they can supply us. The charter can be viewed at any time on our website, but it is also on the agenda in supplier meetings. It is the basis for any cooperation with Jokey, was updated to the new standard in the first quarter of 2023 and will be updated again in 2024. Companies that wish to be listed as suppliers for Jokey must agree to the charter or alternatively present their own supplier code, which we must review and approve. We use an onboarding process to make existing suppliers and long-standing partners aware of the supplier charter and its urgency. The aim is for all Jokey suppliers to agree to the charter.
Jokey has decided to involve its suppliers in the development of a sustainable supply chain within their sphere of activity or influence. The degree of their commitment in this area is one of the decisive factors in the selection of suppliers. Our export compliance guidelines supplement the Code of Conduct and describe ways to identify potential export risks and problems.
They help to ensure compliance with European Union and North American legislation. The aim of the export compliance guideline is to provide Jokey’s sales and purchasing employees and those responsible for exports worldwide with assistance regarding applicable legal restrictions and compliance with them when exporting products, services and data. Furthermore, the export compliance guideline describes the procedure for checking all interested or potential new business partners with whom Jokey would like to establish a business relationship with regard to international sanction lists, embargoes and money laundering lists.
The SMETA 4-Pillar Audit, which has been implemented across most of the group, covers the four pillars of corporate processes: working conditions, health and safety, environmental performance and business ethics. These criteria also have a significant influence on our sustainable procurement.
During the reporting period, we were not made aware of any negative impacts in the supply chain. At least, the existing flow of goods and the supplier assessments from previous years allow us to draw this conclusion. However, this is a theoretical approach that we cannot prove through personal audits, but can only deduce from the declarations of commitment of our suppliers. With the implementation of sustainable procurement based on ISO 26000, we also focus on all relevant social aspects of our supplier assessments. In addition, we analyse the flow of goods we purchase with regard to these aspects as far as possible. This means that from 2023, we will reflect a new data foundation that will provide us with more transparency with regard to possible risks and allow us to derive targeted measures in case of doubt.
