Month: April 2025

As previously seen on the CSRHub blog.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is bringing significant changes to sustainability reporting in Europe. Companies operating in the EU—or doing business with EU-based organizations—will soon be required to comply with stricter ESG disclosure requirements. The exact timeline and reporting indicators are still evolving, but the EU’s objective is clear: companies must capture and report sustainability data to be evaluated based on environmental and social performance.

To help businesses prepare, CSRHub has developed the CSRHub CSRD Readiness Calculator—a tool designed to assess how well companies align with CSRD reporting standards.

See our new page describing the CSRD Readiness Calculator options here.

CSRHub’s CSRD Readiness Calculator helps companies:

• Estimate CSRD performance using external ESG data
• Identify gaps in sustainability reporting
• Benchmark performance against industry peers

This tool is available in two versions:

The Free Trial is ideal for companies seeking a quick, one-time snapshot of their CSRD alignment. It delivers a high-level estimate based on CSRHub’s external ESG data, helping users understand their baseline position.

The Professional Version is built for organizations that need deeper insights and ongoing analysis. It allows benchmarking against up to 1,000 companies, includes in-depth materiality analysis, and offers Excel export capabilities—making it a powerful solution for compliance teams preparing formal CSRD reports.

Why CSRD Compliance Matters

The CSRD directive will impact thousands of companies worldwide, including non-EU businesses that operate in European markets. Non-compliance could affect corporate reputation, investment opportunities, and regulatory standing.

CSRHub’s Readiness Calculator simplifies the process by mapping ESG performance data to CSRD’s 35 top-level reporting categories. The result can be used to spot compliance weaknesses and improve readiness for CSRD reporting.

About CSRHub

CSRHub offers the most comprehensive global set of Consensus ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings, information, and tools. CSRHub’s business intelligence system measures the ESG business impact that drives corporate and investor sustainability decisions. Founded in 2007, CSRHub covers 57,528 public and private companies, and provides ESG performance scores on over 38,833 companies from 134 industries in 156 countries. Our Big Data platform uses algorithms to aggregate, normalize and weight ESG metrics from 967 sources to produce a strong consensus signal on corporate sustainability performance. Interested in learning more about CSRHub? Click here.

STAMFORD, Conn., April 2, 2025 /3BL/ – Henkel, a leading manufacturer of well-known consumer and industrial brands, is introducing concentrated formulas and packaging across all®, Persil® and Snuggle® liquid laundry products. This update offers laundry-doers effective detergent cleaning power and fabric conditioning softness and scent at a more concentrated level per load – making every wash more environmentally conscious. The new formulas and packaging began shipping to store shelves early March 2025 and will continue to roll out in subsequent months.

This initiative is a testament to the ongoing commitment to sustainability at Henkel, evidenced by significant reductions in resources used across the value chain. This includes an average 16% dose concentration across laundry detergent variants* and the integration of 50% recycled plastic content into new bottle designs, unlocking sustainability improvements and efficiency from production to shipping and to consumer use.

“At Henkel, we are dedicated to leading with initiatives that not only enhance product performance but also demonstrate our corporate values for the good of all generations,” said Philipp Schaffer, Corporate Senior Vice President, Henkel Consumer Brands, North America. “Together, we’re fostering more mindful laundry days that create positive, lasting impact.”

Martina Spinatsch, Senior Vice President, Research & Development, North America adds, “By further concentrating the liquid formulas for these laundry brands, we’re reducing our environmental footprint from plastic to water-usage to shipping, providing efficacy our consumers know and trust.”

The introduction of these concentrated formulas also sets new benchmarks in environmental stewardship for the brands:

• Water Conservation: The new detergent formulas reduce water usage in our manufacturing facilities, conserving approximately 9 million gallons annually, equivalent to the water used in 450,000 standard laundry wash loads**.
• Plastic Reduction: With concentrated formulas comes smaller bottles. The initiative achieves a nearly 5% net reduction in plastic, which is equivalent to the plastic found in over 20 million one-gallon milk jugs.
  • Moreover, the majority of the brands’ laundry product bottles will be made with 50% recycled materials.
• CO2 Reduction: With smaller, more efficient packaging, Henkel can effectively reduce the number of trucks needed for transportation, resulting in a significant decrease in CO2 emissions. This change will contribute to a projected annual CO2 emissions savings of over 4,000 metric tons, which is equivalent to the absorption capabilities of approximately 169,100 trees annually.

Formula concentration supports the Henkel 2030+ Sustainability Impact Framework, which focuses on creating a regenerative planet, thriving communities and trusted partnerships. By reducing resource consumption and enhancing product sustainability, Henkel aims to help influence positive consumer behavior through effective and environmentally responsible products.

Consumers can support these efforts by choosing all®, Persil® and Snuggle® brand products which support Henkel Corporation’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. To learn more, visit henkel-northamerica.com.

*Includes all® & Persil®

**Based on 20 gallons per washload

About all®

Sold in the United States, the all^® laundry brand has been a recognized leader and laundry partner for generations. Its portfolio of laundry care products includes concentrated liquid and single dose pac detergents, as well as liquid and sheet fabric softeners. all^® free clear detergent is the #1 recommended detergent brand by dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians for sensitive skin. Follow all^® on Instagram @all_laundry and Facebook @allLaundry.

About Persil®

As a trusted leader in laundry care, Persil® laundry detergent is formulated to help keep clothes looking newer for longer versus the leading value detergent. The fabric care ingredients of Persil® help keep colors from fading and whites and colors stay vibrant. Persil® is also packed with powerful stain-fighting enzymes to deliver a premium deep clean. Sold nationwide in the United States, the Persil® laundry portfolio includes liquid and single dose pac detergents. The detergents can be used in all water temperatures and washer types, including cold water and high-efficiency (HE) machines. Stay connected with Persil® on Instagram @PersilLaundry, TikTok @PersilLaundry and Facebook @Persil for the latest updates and tips.

About Snuggle®

Snuggle® fabric softener has been making the world a softer, fresher place for over 40 years, providing the ultimate in Snuggly Softness® and long-lasting freshness to loads of laundry. The Snuggle® line offers a variety of high-quality fabric conditioning products, including liquid softeners, dryer sheets, and in-wash scent boosters that make clothes snuggly soft while providing long-lasting freshness. See www.Snuggle.com for full details.

About Henkel in North America

Henkel’s portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes all®, Purex® and Persil® laundry detergents, Snuggle® fabric softeners, Dial® soaps, Schwarzkopf® hair care, as well as Loctite®, Technomelt® and Bonderite® adhesives. With sales close to 6.5 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2024, North America accounts for 28 percent of the company’s global sales. Henkel employs around 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com and on X @Henkel_NA.

Agency Contact on behalf of Henkel: Brittni Wade
Email: bwade@agencyh5.com

Henkel North America Contact: Erica Cooper
Phone: 475-232-4973
Email: erica.cooper@henkel.com

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Did you know that each year, the U.S. sends more than 146 million tons of waste to landfills? It’s estimated that up to 75% of that waste could be recovered or recycled. To visualize, that’s enough recyclable material to fill the Hoover Dam 30 times over!

Since its inception in 2018, Global Recycling Day has highlighted the significant environmental and social benefits of recycling, reminding us that even small actions—like recycling cardboard boxes or composting food scraps and yard waste—can help create meaningful change.

Ready to make a difference? Discover practical tips to reduce waste, improve recycling rates, and adopt more sustainable practices by visiting the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s website: Reduce Waste: What You Can Do https://bit.ly/4ivefsj

View original content here.

About Georgia-Pacific 
Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose and building products.  Our familiar consumer brands include Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Dixie®, enMotion®, Quilted Northern®, Sparkle® and Vanity Fair®. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Its Georgia-Pacific Recycling subsidiary is among the world’s largest traders of paper, metal and plastics. The company operates more than 150 facilities and employs approximately 30,000 people directly and creates more than 80,000 jobs indirectly. For more information, visit: gp.com/about-us. For news, visit: news.gp.com. Follow Georgia-Pacific on LinkedIn, Meta, Instagram, X and YouTube.

FARMINGTON, Conn., April 2, 2025 /3BL/ – Four student teams from around the world are regional winners in Otis’ Made to Move Communities student challenge. These winning teams will go on to compete in Otis’ first global competition. In the fifth year of the annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) competition, more than 250 students from 28 schools proposed innovative ways for Artificial Intelligence to improve urban mobility. Otis (NYSE: OTIS) is the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company.

Over the last several months, high school students, with the guidance of Otis volunteer mentors, designed concepts leveraging AI technology to enable more inclusive mobility in their communities, and presented their ideas to Otis judges in each of the company’s four regions: Americas, Asia Pacific, China and EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa).

Now, for the first time, the four regional winning teams will compete in a final round to determine a global challenge champion. Student teams will share how their solution to local challenges can be scaled globally, and present to a judging panel of Otis senior executives. The global winner will be announced in early May.

All schools with teams competing in the challenge receive a grant to further STEM learning. Each of the regional winner schools earned a $20,000 grant and the global champion team’s school will receive a total of $35,000 in STEM grants.

“It is exciting to witness the creativity and hard work these students have displayed – embracing AI and applying STEM skills to solve local challenges in urban mobility. I look forward to hearing our student participants expand on their outstanding ideas during our first global competition. Knowing our world holds immense potential for STEM-based solutions, we truly hope that this experience has inspired these students to continue exploring STEM programs and fields, setting them on a path to become our future leaders and innovators,” said Randi Tanguay, Otis Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer and global challenge judge.

The four regional winning teams are:

Pembroke Pines Charter High School, Florida, United States 

A smartphone application that uses AI to aid individuals with visual impairments by providing a description of their surroundings to help navigate spaces.

Yamagata Higashi High School, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

An AI-equipped mobility scooter to prevent falls and provide a safe mobility experience for the elderly.

Tianjin Farragut School, Tianjin, China

An AI-powered elevator system that optimizes multi-elevator coordination for efficient resource allocation, while integrating smart hardware to enhance travel comfort.

Üsküdar American Academy (UAA), Istanbul, Türkiye 

An AI-based app that sends audio, visual, and vibrating notifications to smartphones and smartwatches, helping individuals with hearing impairment recognize emergency alerts, audible hazards and warnings in their environment.

About the Made to Move Communities challenge

Launched in 2020, the Made to Move Communities challenge engages young minds to explore real-world urbanization challenges and develop innovative solutions with the potential to create more connected communities and improve mobility for all. This initiative brings together students, educators, and Otis colleagues as mentors with the goals of advancing STEM and leadership skills to help build the next generation of talent, ensure future workforce readiness, and sustain innovation.

Each year, the program focuses on a different theme that aligns with global priorities, such as sustainability, accessibility or technology. Students are encouraged to think critically and creatively, applying STEM principles to address mobility-related issues. Through workshops, mentorship, and collaboration, participants gain valuable insights and skills that prepare them for future careers while making a positive impact on society. Participating schools also receive grants at the conclusion of the program to support ongoing STEM education.

To date, the Made to Move Communities program has reached more than 1,000 student participants globally, involved more than 950 Otis volunteer mentors, and delivered nearly 100 grants totaling over $1 million to support ongoing STEM education at participating schools around the world.

To learn more about the Made to Move Communities challenge, visit www.otis.com/mtmc.

About Otis

Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators, we move 2.4 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.4 million customer units worldwide – the industry’s largest Service portfolio. You’ll find us in the world’s most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 72,000 people strong, including 44,000 field professionals, all committed to manufacturing, installing and maintaining products to meet the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo.