supplier management
a supply chain you can trust
We work with more than 6,000 suppliers across the globe and we manage every partnership with the same standards we set for ourselves: ethics, transparency, and responsibility.
We place great emphasis on sustainable procurement and ethical business practices. As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, we are committed to acting responsibly and upholding human rights throughout our entire supply chain. We have developed a comprehensive due diligence process to ensure that our suppliers share our principles of ethics, integrity, and respect for people and the environment.
For our customers, this means reliable materials, stable supply, and the confidence that every product is backed by a sourcing process that protects people and the planet. It also means reduced risk, stronger compliance, and a supply chain built on shared values.
Our goal: By 2030, 80% of our raw materials (pulp, fillers and chemicals) and packaging, by spend, will be procured in line with our supplier management framework.
Priority was given to those supplier groups that, due to their purchasing volume, have a significant influence and corresponding relevance, thereby enabling risk-based management.
our responsible supplier management
Our long-established supplier management framework ensures that all our suppliers adhere to our principles of ethics, integrity, and respect for people and the environment. It is built on four phases: our onboarding process which includes the Supplier Code of Conduct, supplier performance evaluations, internal supplier risk assessment procedures and the supplier development.
Together, they ensure ethical, reliable, and sustainable sourcing across all regions and categories.
Phase 1 - onboarding: responsible from the start
Before we enter any new business relationship, we conduct thorough due diligence. This includes third‑party screenings and Know‑Your‑Supplier checks to ensure we do not work with sanctioned companies, entities, or individuals.
Every supplier must sign our Supplier Code of Conduct, which mirrors our own standards in areas such as business integrity, labor rights (including freedom of association and the elimination of forced and child labor), product quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and responsible management practices. Local procurement teams ensure full compliance, while Corporate Procurement tracks progress.
Phase 2 - performance evaluation & audits
We evaluate supplier performance through a unified, group‑wide process covering price, quality, capacity, certifications, creditworthiness, logistics infrastructure, supply chain security, and environmental and social standards.
Our key suppliers undergo an annual evaluation supported by our internal scoring system, and results are openly discussed with them. Selected suppliers also go through a detailed audit process:
- A self‑assessment covering social, environmental, supply‑chain and quality topics.
- An on‑site audit to verify processes, sustainability compliance, and traceability. All findings result in a report and agreed corrective actions.
Phase 3 - risk assessment: anticipating risks early
A systematic risk analysis process helps us to ensure the availability of material, reduce possible dependencies and make objective purchasing decisions. We strengthened our internal risk analysis procedure with a targeted focus on the areas of environmental risk, corruption risk and economic risk. If a supplier is found to have significant potential negative impacts, and the defined mitigation actions remain ineffective, we would terminate our relationship with the company (selective phase-out).
Phase 4 - supplier development: improving together
Our buyers analyze audit and survey results using a defined, standardized process. We share these insights transparently with each supplier and work collaboratively on improvement plans where sustainability gaps are identified. If any areas for sustainability improvement are recognized, we engage with the supplier to understand the risk areas and work together to define actions for improvement. Repeated failure to comply will result in the termination of the supplier relationship.
If improvements fail to materialize, we reserve the right to end the business relationship.
Training initiatives for sustainable procurement
To ensure responsible sourcing across our entire supply chain, we invest continuously in the skills and expertise of our procurement teams. All relevant team members receive regular training on sustainable procurement, covering our Supplier Code of Conduct, supplier certifications, sustainability ratings, FSC™/PEFC standards, EUDR requirements, and intermodal transport solutions to reduce emissions. These trainings ensure that every decision we make in procurement is aligned with our sustainability commitments and supports high‑quality, responsible sourcing across the group.
