“Strong progress” on CSR for Smit & Zoon
Leather chemicals manufacturer Smit & Zoon has published a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, giving a detailed assessment of its environmental and social performance in 2020.
In the report, the company outlines “strong progress” it has made towards fulfilling the mission it has set itself: it wants to create a socially and environmentally sustainable leather supply chain by 2025.
It achieved level-three conformance (the highest level) with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) programme for its whole product range. Another achievement the report points to is the introduction of products such as the Optitan retanning range that produce good results in tanneries while reducing application dosages, chemical oxygen demand, salinity, conductivity, free monomers in wastewater and volumes of total dispensed solids.
In addition, the report points to the launch during 2020 of Smit & Zoon’s Zeology tanning concept, which it has described as a sustainable, chrome-free alternative to existing tanning systems.
On publishing the report, chief executive, Hans van Haarst, said: “Our global team that has done a remarkable job in a difficult period.” He said he was proud of the contribution Smit & Zoon makes to leather production. Making leather provides an environmental service to communities and brings social benefits by creating jobs and providing a uniquely versatile material for use in a wide array of finished products.
Leather chemicals manufacturers support the upcycling of hides, a by-product from the meat industry, into a long-lasting material with unique characteristics, Mr van Haarst said. He added: “This year we celebrate 200 years of the company’s existence. We look forward with confidence to a sustainable future.”
