Mekoprint is subject to the new EU requirements for sustainability reporting, which is a major challenge for many companies because it is a completely new and very comprehensive standard. But instead of perceiving the requirements as a burden, Mekoprint is leading the way in a collaboration with the Danish Industry association and the Danish Industry Foundation to highlight the competitive advantages that sustainable transparency can provide.
The new requirements for sustainability reporting is extremely ambitious for many companies, but the requirements are also an obvious opportunity to identify increasing risks, sharpen development focus and strengthen competitiveness. This is the opinion of the management at Mekoprint, so we’ve conducted a major ESG materiality analysis as the first among five selected “anchor companies” in an ESG project, together with among others the Danish Industry association.
The mapping of the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance issues – the three ESG areas – is part of the EU’s CSRD directive, which will come into force from the 2025 financial year. But after just three months, Mekoprint has – with assistance from the Confederation of Danish Industry, Rambøll and SustainX, among others – the first foundation in place. With this starting point, even more business focused ESG actions and reporting can be done in 2024, which will give customers increased security with documentation of sustainability levels in Mekoprints Supply Chain.
"Sustainable growth is a top priority for us because we believe it is the only long-term strategy. Mapping the many topics, policies and data relevant to our sustainability reporting is extensive, but there is no doubt that we can strengthen our customers’ supply chain and competitiveness by being at the forefront of ESG. For example, we are realizing how much potential we have in being able to offer solutions at a proven sustainable high level from both Europe and Asia. These are solutions that are customized to the individual customer’s needs", says CEO Anders Kold from Mekoprint.
Mekoprint participates in the project “ESG in Value Chains”, together with the Danish Industry association and the Danish Industry Foundation, which is funding the external advisors in the project. The purpose of the project is to focus on production companies’ internal focus and collaboration on sustainability with customers and suppliers to strengthen competitiveness and create new business. In Mekoprint’s case, the focus is on internal and external collaboration on topics such as CO2 emissions, resource consumption and circular economy.
By conducting a double materiality analysis, Mekoprint has gained insight into which sustainability topics the company should work on from the overwhelming gross list of over 1,000 ESG metrics. Mekoprint’s positive approach to the project is crucial to turning sustainability requirements into an opportunity to strengthen competitiveness, explains the Confederation of Danish Industry, which facilitates the project.
ESG & Sustainability Consultant, Confederation of Danish Industry
Stine Bang Larsen
Strategic prioritization in companies
The project has a special focus on creating cooperation between companies in the value chain, as the EU’s requirements also include the companies’ suppliers. It is therefore not sufficient that Mekoprint can document that the company itself has control over its impacts – the suppliers must also fulfil the sustainability requirements.
Therefore, Mekoprint has marked its 200 largest suppliers on a so-called maturity scale, so Mekoprint can see where there is a need for a dialogue and where the company should help suppliers strengthen their efforts. It is an underlining, that sustainability has become an important strategic effort for Mekoprint, supporting continued long-term sustainable growth.
Consultant Anne Sofie Madsen from Rambøll praises Mekoprint for having a strategic approach to the task:
– Mekoprint has understood that it is important to have a strategic view of the ESG areas. They know that it is also about risk management, and that sustainability must be assessed at the same level as other financial risks, because it is increasingly a subject that investors and customers are paying close attention to, says Anne Sofie Madsen.
Companies must be transparent in the future
When sustainability is at the top of the agenda, it is not only because the companies must have control over their data because the legislation requires it. It is crucial that they can answer the questions that customers ask. Mekoprint can now do this proactively, because sustainability has a high priority in the company, which through the project “ESG in Value Chains” has been even better equipped to continue the targeted efforts around sustainability.
Senior Advisor, SustainX
Marie Marvel Olofsen
In the coming months, Mekoprint will discuss ESG issues with selected customers and suppliers to identify where improvements can and should be made, discuss new initiatives and help suppliers who need support to move forward with sustainability initiatives, with a particular focus on CO2 reduction, recyclable raw materials, and ensuring proper working conditions throughout the value chain.
The lessons learnt from the project will be shared with other manufacturing companies through the Danish Industry association and the Danish Industry Foundation, so that they can also benefit from more systematic collaboration in the value chain on sustainability.
