Sappi Limited joins Sustainable Apparel Coalition to boost supply chain sustainability

Sappi Limited, a South Africa-based global leader in dissolving wood pulp and paper-based solutions, has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC).

In an announcement made this week, Sappi revealed that it will use the group’s sustainability measurement suite of tools, known as the Higg Index, to drive environmental and social responsibility throughout its supply chain.

Sappi will support SAC by contributing data and resources that will further develop the Higg Index. The Higg Index is an indicator-based suite of tools that enables suppliers, manufacturers, brands and retailers to better evaluate materials, products, facilities and processes based on their environmental performance, social labour practices and product design choices.

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“Sappi’s sustainability strategy builds on our 2020Vision, people and core assets and aims to create real value by evolving our business as we expand our range of products derived from woodfibre, including packaging and speciality papers, woodfibre based bioproducts and importantly dissolving wood pulp (DWP) for the textiles industry,” said Sappi Limited CEO Steve Binnie. “We are pleased to be joining the SAC, confident it will have a positive impact on product sustainability over time.”

With more than 220 global leaders in apparel, footwear, and textile, brands, retailers, suppliers service providers, trade association, nonprofits and academic institutions, SAC to reduce the environmental and social impacts of products around the world.

Notable members include adidas group, Aldo, American Eagle Outfitters, asos and Disney.

"We welcome the addition of Sappi to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and look forward to their participation in this industry-wide effort in sustainability,” SAC Interim Executive Director Amina Razvi said. “Having Sappi as part of the Coalition widens the scope of our impact within the industry and accelerates the change we’re making towards responsible industry actions.”