Ansell is emerging as a leader in sustainability within the personal protective equipment (PPE) and industrial safety industry. By reducing its environmental footprint while maintaining worker safety, Ansell is setting new standards in eco-friendly practices through its Ansell Earth program and other sustainability initiatives.
Ansell’s Commitment to Sustainability
Ansell recognises the responsibility to contribute to a safer and more eco-conscious world. With bold, measurable goals, the company is driving improvements in both environmental and operational sustainability.
A major focus of Ansell’s efforts is the goal to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2040 for its operations. To support this, the company has set a mid-term target to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030, compared to 2020 levels. These efforts align with the Paris Agreement’s objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Ansell’s decarbonisation strategy focuses on:
- Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
- Innovating manufacturing processes, products, and circularity.
- Collaborating across the value chain and engaging in policy advocacy.
Participation in initiatives like RE100 and EP100 reinforces Ansell’s pledge to source 100% renewable electricity by 2040, with an interim milestone for 2030. Additionally, an Energy Management System will be implemented by 2028 to ensure efficient energy use across all operations.
Zero Waste to Landfill
In 2023, Ansell achieved a significant milestone by ensuring all its plants meet the Zero Waste to Landfill target. This initiative follows the 5R principles: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.
Key practices contributing to this success include:
- Upcycling materials: Fabric offcuts are turned into yarn, and iron waste is transformed into steel bars.
- Reducing plastic waste: Packaging for finished goods has shifted to reusable canvas bags.
- Recycling paper and cardboard waste: Minimising landfill contributions.
- Energy recovery: Hazardous waste is converted into energy through co-processing at cement plants.
- Composting vegetable waste: Organic waste is used to nourish facility grounds.
As a result, all Ansell plants are certified by Intertek as Zero Waste to Landfill, achieving a diversion rate exceeding 99%.
Water Reduction Goals
Water sustainability is another priority for Ansell, with a goal to reduce water withdrawals by 35% by 2025 compared to 2020 levels. Collaborations with the World Resources Institute have enabled water risk assessments across Ansell’s facilities.
Investments in Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems allow treated wastewater to be recycled for reuse. These initiatives directly support three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Clean Water and Sanitation, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action.
The Ansell Earth program is central to the company’s sustainability efforts, addressing the entire product lifecycle to help both Ansell and its customers make eco-friendly choices. The program’s five key pillars are:
- Materials: Using sustainable and recycled materials while ensuring the durability of PPE products. One challenge is balancing recyclability with the need for tough, protective materials.
- Manufacturing: Reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy while optimising processes to minimise environmental impact.
- Packaging: Cutting down packaging waste by 50% for some products and moving towards more sustainable options, including paper-based packaging.
- Use: Encouraging responsible use and extending product life through partnerships that offer solutions like laundering PPE to reduce waste.
- End of Use: Developing recycling programs and forming partnerships to create efficient processes for separating materials and optimising recycling.
Award-winning Commitment
In 2024, Ansell’s commitment to sustainability was recognised with two prestigious accolades:
- Morningstar Sustainalytics: Ranked among the top 5% of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performers in the healthcare sector.
- EcoVadis Gold Medal: Placed in the top 5% of all companies assessed and the top 2% in the “other manufacturing” category.
These awards highlight Ansell’s leadership in environmental, social, and governance standards within the PPE and industrial safety sectors.
Shaping a Sustainable Future
Through its wide-ranging sustainability initiatives, Ansell is proving that protecting workers and protecting the planet are equally important. From achieving Net Zero emissions to reducing waste and water usage, Ansell’s actions reflect a deep commitment to making a positive impact. Ansell’s sustainability journey is a powerful example of how innovation and environmental responsibility can drive meaningful change in the PPE industry and beyond. By leading with purpose, Ansell is inspiring a more sustainable future for both people and the planet.
