Industry colour specialist Sun Chemical has released its sixteenth annual Sustainability Report, detailing measurable progress across its global operations, reports Neill Barston.

As the company, which has worked across a wide range of fields including within confectionery, snacks and bakery markets, noted, its latest annual study has placed a strong focus on its supply chains and workforce, as well as re-affirming an approach to transparency across measuring its environmental performance.

Moreover, as the business, which also has interests in printing and packaging market segments observed, its report reflects continued work to embed sustainability into business strategy and daily decision-making.

Guided by the “five Rs” framework – Reuse, Reduce, Renew, Recycle and Redesign – the company is advancing resource efficiency, circular product design and responsible value-chain practices while supporting customers as regulatory and sustainability expectations evolve.

The 2026 Sustainability Report highlights significant progress and initiatives, including: Operational improvements that reduced water supply by approximately 6% in 2025, decreased landfill volumes by approximately 5% and increased recycling by approximately 3% compared with 2024.

pic: Sun Chemical

In addition, it has also developed renewable energy projects at manufacturing sites in Nussdorf, Austria, and Yumbo, Colombia, supporting Scope 2 greenhouse gas emission reductions.

In addition, the firm has  expanded product-level transparency through approximately 12,000 Product Carbon Footprint calculations across the portfolio.

Its other actions include sustainable product innovations designed to enable recyclability, compostability, lower energy use, bio-renewable content and regulatory compliance across inks, coatings, adhesives, pigments and electronic materials.

What’s more, the company has continued supplier engagement through EcoVadis, with Sun Chemical earning a score of 79, placing the company in the top 6% of rated companies and achieving a Silver medal. It has also made progress on further enhancing employee safety across its international business activities. 

The report also describes Sun Chemical’s continued investment in environmental, health and safety systems, sustainable procurement, employee development and community engagement. These efforts support the company’s long-term goal of creating value for customers, employees, communities and other stakeholders while building a safer, more resource-efficient and resilient business.

Michael Simoni, Director, Global Sustainability, Sun Chemical, commented on its latest internal analysis, which he believed revealed was making a positive impact for the company.

He said: “This report demonstrates how Sun Chemical is translating its sustainability priorities into practical action across operations, innovation and partnerships. By strengthening the quality of our data, expanding product carbon footprint analysis and collaborating across the value chain, we are helping customers make more informed decisions and accelerate progress toward their environmental goals.”