Sustainable purpose
Sappi exists to build a thriving world by unlocking the power of renewable resources to benefit people, communities, and the planet.
Sustainable purpose
In a world searching for creative solutions to transition from a fossil-based to a circular bioeconomy, Sappi offers an impactful vision: We will be a sustainable business with an exciting future in woodfibre that provides relevant solutions, delivers enhanced value, and is a trusted partner to all our stakeholders. This vision is part of Sappi's Thrive strategy.
Across our value streams, our sustainable purpose is underpinned by our priority United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), which sets out a roadmap for where we collectively need to go and how to get there. We have identified seven priority goals at global level - and a further two in South Africa - where we believe we can make the most impact and where we are concentrating our efforts.
Sappi’s key material issues:
Principles
- Ethical behaviour and compliance
- Responsible procurement
Prosperity
- Competitive position
- Sustainable solutions for a circular bioeconomy
People
- Health, safety and well-being
- Talent
- Labour relations
- Social impact
Planet
- Sustainable forestry
- Climate change
- Water stewardship
- Waste
- Biodiversity
We welcome you to a domain where trees tell a story of resilience, renewal and sustainable growth
Tracy Wessels, Group Head of Sustainability and Investor Relations, Sappi Limited
Sappi and the SDGs
We’ve set ambitious targets aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the seven areas where we believe Sappi can make the biggest impact.
Sappi's Awards and Recognitions
In 2024, we achieved significant milestones in our commitment to sustainable growth. These included receiving several prestigious distinctions that recognized our efforts in areas such as environmental stewardship, social responsibility and ethical business practices.
World’s Best Companies for 2024
Sappi was recognised by Time Magazine and Statista as one of the World’s Best Companies for 2024
World’s Best Employers
Sappi was recognised by Forbes Magazine and Statista as one of the World’s Best Employers
World’s Top Companies for Women
Sappi was recognised by Forbes Magazine and Statista as one of the World’s Top Companies for Women
Consecutive year
all three operating regions achieved the highest Platinum rating from EcoVadis
Sappi Europe established inhouse capacity
to test product recyclability to meet customer requests for support in moving from plastic to fibre-based packaging solutions
Sappi Rockwell Solutions awarded at UK Packaging Awards 2024
with newly developed StarPaper product, a unique high-performance, paper lidding using proprietary heat seal coating. This is a first to market ovenable dual solution paper lidding product
Under auspices of Business for South Africa (B4SA)
Sappi is participating in the National Logistics Crisis Committee, one of the four interventions business is undertaking in collaboration with the government of South Africa to resolve these challenges
Grand opening, a joint initiative with Standard Bank Group Youth
to create job opportunities & improve food security
Sappi Ngodwana Mill was awarded
by the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism in recognition of community development & regional growth
Sappi (and Marco Eikelenboom as Cepi chair) joined 400 business leaders
to discuss EU's Clean Industrial Deal with senior EU institutional representatives in February 2025, emphasising that unlocking the potential of the bioeconomy is key to improving material & energy self-sufficiency in EU
Sappi, along with 80 companies, civil society organisations, 3 UN agencies
agreed to extend term of BCTI to accelerate 2030 Agenda in run-up to COP30
Sappi has been a SmartWay Transport Partner for 15 years
The SmartWay program, through its partnerships, is estimated to have generated savings of 396.7 million barrels of oil, totaling $55.4 billion in fuel costs and successfully preventing the emission of approximately 169.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Cloquet Mill Recognized for Strong Commitment in Sustainability, Resource Efficiency and Water Management
The Cloquet Mill's 91% score reflects its strong commitment to sustainability, responsible operations, and environmental stewardship.
2024 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards' Environmental Initiative Award
The award highlights the collaborative effort between Sappi, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) and the Maine SIC to enhancing sustainable forestry practices, with a focus on climate-smart forestry, fire resilience, and biodiversity conservation.
Certifications
Our certifications ensure that our performance is monitored and that our operations comply with global best practice across a range of environmental, safety and quality topics.
Sustainability Insights
Explore the articles below and join us in shaping a thriving, more sustainable future.
How paper and papermaking shape a rich world around us
Everyone knows that paper is a thing of the past, right?Nobody doubts that today we live in a paperless society, no? But wait. Might we begetting confused between perception and reality? Could paper be a whole lot more relevant for today and tomorrow than it might seem at first sight? Turn the page, we have a surprising story to share…