Coty: Supplier Collaboration for Lower-Impact Cosmetics

Coty, the beauty company behind brands such as Rimmel, Max Factor and Kylie Cosmetics, is stepping up its climate ambitions by making sustainability a core function of its supply chain.

The business has landed a place on CDP’s Supplier Engagement Leaderboard, a list that tracks how well companies are involving their suppliers in efforts to tackle climate change.

The focus isn’t just on internal operations. Coty’s leadership has made clear that getting upstream suppliers involved is essential if the company is to meet its environmental goals.

"In a moment where momentum risks stalling, staying bold together is non-negotiable," says Nadja Koerner, Coty’s Global Head of Sustainability and ESG.

She adds: "A huge shout-out to our procurement teams - led by Stéphane Delbos and Imogen Hosker - for driving this transformation upstream. And deep thanks to every supplier showing up with urgency, grit and a shared commitment to sustainable progress."

Making supply chains accountable

At the heart of Coty’s environmental strategy is a reworked supply chain model. Since launching the “All-in to Win” programme in financial year 2020, the company has focused on simplifying its supply chain while boosting transparency and cutting carbon.

The initiative sets out a streamlined operating model that is expected to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in procurement savings.

Koerner says Coty has tied decarbonisation targets directly into its procurement process, making it clear to suppliers that emissions reductions are not optional. It’s a shift from traditional supplier management to a collaborative system where shared targets mean shared responsibility.

Graeme Carter, Coty’s Chief Global Supply Chain Officer, believes this approach is critical to the company’s performance: "I firmly believe that the supply chain plays a key role in driving value across our entire business ecosystem.

"We’re committed to fostering close collaboration with our partners to enhance transparency, streamline operations for efficiency gains and ultimately elevate customer service standards."

The company has already managed to cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions – which cover direct emissions from its own operations and energy use – by 82% since 2019. Meanwhile, air freight emissions have fallen 65%, bringing Coty ahead of its 2030 goals.

Now, the target is to reduce Scope 3 emissions, which include the indirect emissions linked to supply chain and product lifecycle, by 28% by 2030. These are often the hardest to cut, since they rely on the actions of third-party suppliers.

Targets tied to products and people

Coty’s supply chain rethink isn’t limited to carbon. The company has set a goal to cut virgin plastic use by 60% by 2030 and has joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which works with businesses on the transition to a circular economy.

Packaging for the Infiniment Coty Paris collection now features 100% carbon captured alcohol – meaning the alcohol is made using carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to global warming. This marks a move towards lower-impact ingredients in premium products.

Inside its operations, Coty powers all its factories and distribution centres with renewable electricity purchased through Energy Attribute Certificates, which prove that the energy comes from green sources.

The focus on ethics extends to animal testing. Coty’s Brazilian body care brand Paixão received approval under Cruelty Free International’s Leaping Bunny programme this year. This certification is awarded to companies that can show they don’t test any products or ingredients on animals at any stage of development.

Henrique Sales, Coty's Vice President of R&D in Latin America, says: "This announcement reflects Coty's commitment to ethics and innovation in product development.

"Cruelty Free International approval for yet another of our brands not only reinforces the company's values, but also positions Coty in a global movement for more responsible beauty."

Governance as a foundation for climate action

Coty’s progress on ESG also comes through in its leadership structure.

Three quarters of its Executive Committee and half of both the board and wider leadership team are women. CEO Sue Nabi has pointed to this gender balance as part of Coty’s broader sustainability goals.

In February 2025, the company received an A- ranking in the CDP Climate Change Disclosure, up from a B the year before. This comes off the back of its continued emissions reductions, product innovation and strengthened supplier engagement.

With suppliers now looped into climate targets and emissions cuts moving beyond company walls, Coty’s path to sustainable growth runs through its full business network.