Ecological and social actions are firmly anchored in Kneipp's priorities, as 
confirmed by EcoVadis: the world-renowned sustainability ratings provider has 
awarded the manufacturer of cosmetics and body care products the highest 
possible Platinum medal.

As a result of its long-standing commitment to sustainability, Kneipp has 
achieved Platinum status in the world's largest sustainability rating, 
attaining 75 out of a possible 100 points. This places Kneipp amongst the top 
one percent of all companies evaluated by EcoVadis and the top two percent of 
businesses in the cosmetics and personal care industry. The high benchmark set 
by the EcoVadis Ranking also provides measurable scope for high performing 
companies with platinum status to continue to make positive progress.

"We are delighted to receive this confirmation of our achievements in the area 
of sustainability. Sustainability indicates responsibility – and a company that 
does not take responsibility has no future. The award of Platinum ranking 
illustrates we are on a positive path and making an impact. Our aim is to 
continue to improve, and we hope that as a result we better our score next 
year, too," explains Alexander C. Schmidt, CEO of the Kneipp Group.

Measurable success in all four categories
The CSR performance ranking examines environmental and social practices within 
a company's supply chains. It evaluates 21 indicators in the areas of 
environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. 
Kneipp's performance is rated as advanced in all areas. Its performance within 
the areas of environment and ethics stand out particularly positively: in both 
evaluations the company achieved 80 out of a possible 100 points. With this 
high rating, the company demonstrates that it takes its sustainability efforts 
seriously and that these are leading to clear successes.

Kneipp actively drives forward sustainability goals
When it comes to sustainability, Kneipp sets itself high goals: already, 75 
percent of Kneipp packaging is recyclable; the goal is to reach 100 percent. In 
addition, the company is working on replacing all plastic packaging with 
recycled plastic, as well as increasingly using sustainable alternatives, such 
as bio-based packaging materials like cork or Paper Blend.

"For us, sustainable work is more than just a phrase, but genuine conviction 
based on tradition. For our founder Sebastian Kneipp, living in balance with 
nature was of central importance. More than 130 years later, sustainability is 
an integral pillar within the business. Whether purchasing raw materials, 
production, or packaging – sustainability is a foremost part of Kneipp's 
business strategy," emphasizes Kneipp CEO, Schmidt.

Sustainability has always played a central role in the company, which is based 
in Würzburg in southern Germany. For more than 12 years, an interdepartmental 
task force has been working on concrete measures for greater sustainability. 
And that pays off: in addition to the EcoVadis Platinum ranking, Kneipp was one 
of only a few businesses to receive the Green Brand biannual award for the 
fifth time, and thus for ten years in a row. Also, the company is 
climate-neutral at all its sites worldwide through offset projects. However, 
this is only the first step: Kneipp has long been actively working to 
continuously reduce its CO₂ emissions. The company has been sourcing its 
electricity exclusively from hydropower since 2010. The declared goal is local 
climate neutrality by reducing CO2 emissions.

About Kneipp

For more than 130 years, the traditional Kneipp® brand has stood for effective, 
innovative and natural products for well-being and health based on the holistic 
teachings of Sebastian Kneipp. Naturopathic expertise and pharmaceutical 
experience, state-of-the-art production processes and careful scientific 
controls vouch for the quality of Kneipp products, which has been tried and 
tested for generations. The Kneipp Group, headquartered in Würzburg, Germany, 
is active in 18 countries around the globe and employs about 700 people, 
including over 500 in Germany. Kneipp is a wholly owned subsidiary of PAUL 
HARTMANN AG, Heidenheim.

Corporate PR: Simone Eschenbach                    
Kneipp GmbH                                
Winterhäuser Str. 85, 97084 Würzburg                
E-Mail: simone.eschenbach@kneipp.de 


SOURCE: Kneipp GmbH