sustainability report 2024

“Together, a little better every day” – this is the motto under which MANN & SCHRÖDER COSMETICS GROUP is publishing its latest sustainability report for 2024. The report not only provides information on key figures, but also makes the company's development toward sustainable value creation transparent and comprehensible.

The report is based on the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and covers the 2024 financial year. It encompasses all locations of the MANN & SCHRÖDER COSMETICS GROUP and addresses the following key topics:

• Sustainability strategy & management: Presentation of the “We care²” strategy, which combines ecological, economic, and social responsibility. The KAIZEN principle—continuous improvement in small steps—is firmly anchored in everyday life.
• Global goals & SDGs: The company's activities are specifically aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Particular focus is placed on sustainable consumption, climate protection, and water conservation.
• Products & innovations: Development of new, environmentally friendly products such as soap and shower gel granules. Material savings in packaging through the introduction of slim caps.
• Energy & climate: 100% green electricity, new steam boiler system, and membership in the association “Gemeinsam umweltneutral handeln e.V.” (Acting Together for Environmental Neutrality). The goal is to continuously reduce the carbon footprint.
• Water & waste: Reduction of water consumption thanks to our own osmosis system and optimized cleaning processes. Waste management based on the Kaizen principle ensures resource conservation.
• Employees & values: Focus on diversity, training, and health. Internal workshops and a shop floor management system promote the continuous improvement process.
• Social commitment: Support for social projects for people, nature, and animals – regionally and internationally.

2024 was a year of noticeable progress for the MANN & SCHRÖDER COSMETICS GROUP in terms of resource efficiency and cooperation. Despite a 5.1 percent increase in unit volume, energy consumption per unit was reduced by 4.1 percent – a result of continuous process optimization and targeted investments in modern technology.

A milestone was the commissioning of a new steam boiler system in April 2024, which significantly reduces heating oil consumption and thus noticeably lowers the environmental impact. Additional measures were also implemented, such as eliminating leaks in the compressed air network, installing electric charging stations, and optimizing cleaning processes, which save around 22,000 kWh of energy annually in the emulsion mixing plant alone.

Another focus was on strengthening the knowledge and skills of the company's employees. The number of training hours completed rose to an average of 5,037 in 2024 – an increase of around 73 percent over the previous year. In addition to traditional training courses, targeted workshops on topics such as shop floor management, Kanban, and Kaizen were offered to firmly anchor the continuous improvement process in everyday work and promote the innovative strength of the workforce.

The Group also set an example in terms of networking: in August 2024, MANN & SCHRÖDER COSMETICS GROUP became a founding member of the association “Gemeinsam umweltneutral handeln e.V.” (Acting Together for Environmental Neutrality). The aim is to make the ecological footprint more transparent across all industries, initiate targeted reduction measures, and invest remaining environmental costs in projects for the renaturation of ecosystems. In doing so, the company is underlining its commitment to actively promoting sustainability not only internally, but also in close cooperation with other players.

For MANN & SCHRÖDER COSMETICS GROUP, sustainability is not a short-term trend, but part of the company's DNA. This is reflected in its daily activities and the consistent involvement of all employees. Managing Director Christine Steger emphasizes: “We want to be economically successful while making a tangible, positive contribution to the environment and society. We are taking responsibility today, just as we will for the generation of tomorrow.”