Why we publish a sustainability report every year…
… and what it means to WEPA.
Since our foundation in 1948, sustainability has been a fixed part of our corporate strategy. Why transparency is so important to us, the challenges of the new EU reporting standard, and how we use the report for our daily work at WEPA: we take a look behind the scenes of our sustainability work with Stefan Gräter, Director Group Sustainability.
Stefan, WEPA currently publishes a sustainability report each year. Why’s that so important?
Stefan Gräter: Sustainability is a central component of our corporate strategy and it’s deeply anchored in the DNA of our European family business. For us the report is much more than an obligation – it’s an expression of our attitude. We want to be transparent for our stakeholders who are made up of customers, investors, partners and, of course, our employees.
At the same time the report documents our progress, shows where we currently are and shares examples of best practice that can inspire others. The report also internally motivates – it visualises what we’re achieving together. And not to forget: we see ourselves as the sustainability pioneers in our industry and we take our responsibility seriously.
What role does the report have for our customer base?
Stefan Gräter: A big one. Many of our customers, especially the food retailers, have their own sustainability targets, and our products, processes and commitment help them achieve these. The report shows how we as a supplier can make a specific contribution to achieving goals – with verifiable figures, strategies and developments.
And what’s the added value for readers who have nothing to do with the topic of sustainability in their daily work?
Stefan Gräter: The report gives answers to three key questions at a glance: Why is sustainability at WEPA so important? What are we doing specifically? And where do we want to go?
Figures, data and facts are presented compactly and understandably – like a central database where all relevant information can be found quickly. But the most important thing is we make sustainability at WEPA understandable and lively in the report through stories that are shown in a visually varied way. They’re also supplemented by links for those who want to inform themselves in more detail.
Take us on a journey through a sustainability report. In your opinion, what makes a good sustainability report?
Stefan Gräter: It’s definitely the combination of data and emotionality. Good stories are important, but there’s no credible basis without dependable data. Just presenting data without explaining what it means in reality or what challenges are behind it doesn’t go down well with the reader. At WEPA we benefit from a very good database, including our experience since the first report in 2020, and we can explain it in emotional stories and pictures.
What was particularly challenging this year during the publication’s production?
Stefan Gräter: We previously reported on our sustainability activities voluntarily, but the new EU reporting standard, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), will be mandatory for us from 2028 onwards. We’re already making detailed preparations for this because the requirements demand much more disclosure with significantly more data points. The additional work involved here pays off though – through more transparency, which we definitely believe to be good.
One specific challenge was the double materiality analysis. It not only requires us to analyse our impact on the environment and society together with all our stakeholders, but also how these factors impact on WEPA – in other words, the opportunities and risks that they represent for our company.
How did you approach this challenge?
Stefan Gräter: We integrated several different areas internally: from People & Culture to Legal & Compliance, Occupational Safety, Purchasing, Supply Chain and Energy Management.
The result was a pool of topics that are essential for our sustainable transformation, ranging from biodiversity and the gender pay gap to governance. We have to now not only underpin these topics with figures but also describe them qualitatively.
A sustainability report covers all areas of the company. How big is the team behind the report?
Stefan Gräter: Our sustainability department bears the main responsibility, and responsibilities are clearly divided into the following areas:
- Narrative and design
- Conformity of reporting to the CSRD
- Securing of data and facts
In the peak phase up to four people work actively on the creation, and they’re supported by modern software for data management. In total though around 40 colleagues from various departments are involved, all contributing their expertise.
The report has now been published - how is it used in everyday life?
Stefan Gräter: In diverse ways. Internally it’s a valuable source of data for everyone involved in sustainability, and externally, it serves as a calling card and inspiration – for our customers, for partners, investors and for social players. We also specifically use the content for our communication, ranging from social media and events to direct customer contact.
Is there a figure from the report that particularly impressed you and that everyone should know?
Stefan Gräter: Yes, definitely. 6,000 times. With the amount of toilet paper the Germans use, we could wrap it around the equator that many times. This shows just how important hygiene paper is for society – and at the same time how high our need for resources is.
After the report is before the report, so what’s in the pipeline for 2025? Are there already plans?
Stefan Gräter: The 2024 report was an important step in preparing us for the new reporting standard, and in terms of content, we want to communicate our sustainability ambitions even more clearly. For example why recycled fibres are the most sustainable raw material for hygiene paper. We also want to make the report more international by including stories and examples from all 14 locations. And last but not least, an ambition that we have every year: in future, to increase our speed to submit our reports by the end of the first quarter of the year. That’s where we see much potential.
Find out more about WEPA's sustainability strategy and our partners at WEPA Sustainability.
- Sustainability