Better Health for All

Essentra provides components essential for medical devices, including ventilators, diagnostic imaging machines, and personal protective equipment, indirectly supporting healthcare infrastructure and patient care.

Its packaging division enhances patient information accessibility through services like Piggyback® leaflets and supports clinical trial administration with smart technologies. The company's acquisition of Clondalkin Specialist Packaging Division expanded its presence in pharmaceutical packaging, improving the safety and accessibility of medical products. Regarding indirect health effects, Essentra achieved a 38% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from a 2019 baseline by 2023. By the same year, 94% of its waste was diverted from landfill, with 14 sites achieving zero waste to landfill status, and a 28% reduction in waste intensity since 2019. These environmental initiatives contribute to public health by reducing pollution and associated health risks. The company is not a pharmaceutical or food company, nor does it conduct clinical trials.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Essentra has an Ethical Trading Policy and a Supplier Code of Conduct.

, effective June 2023, which applies to all suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors. These policies commit to ensuring worker welfare and labor conditions meet or exceed International Fair Labour Organisation (IFLO) or Ethical Trading Initiative standards. The code explicitly prohibits child labor, forced labor, discrimination, and ensures freedom of association, fair wages, and safe working conditions. Essentra has processes to assess supplier compliance, monitor performance, and manage improvements, providing action plans for discrepancies. The company reserves the right to cease relationships with suppliers found to be employing unacceptable practices. Social audits are conducted by company staff and are announced. A risk assessment for adverse sustainability impacts in the supply chain is in place, along with a grievance mechanism and employee training on child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. No incidents of forced or child labor were reported for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. Essentra holds SA 8000 accreditation in India, Indonesia, and Thailand. A global inclusive sourcing program is in place. The company declares using no tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold, and/or their derivatives, though this is unverified.

Honest & Fair Business

Essentra PLC incurred a fine of $666,543.88 in 2020 from the U.S. Department of Justice for North Korean sanctions violations

. The company has a comprehensive Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy that mandates compliance and includes stringent disciplinary actions . In 2023, 99% of employees completed Ethics Code training, which is available in all company languages . Essentra also maintains robust whistleblower protection policies, including a 'Right to Speak' policy, though specific details on its implementation or effectiveness metrics are not provided .

Kind to Animals

Essentra PLC's business model, encompassing components, packaging, and filters, does not involve direct animal-related activities such as animal testing, animal-derived products, or animal husbandry. Therefore, KPIs concerning cruelty-free certification, alternative testing, humane certifications, ethical input substitution, cage-free sourcing, animal testing policies and volume, innovation in animal-free technologies, animal agriculture ethics, and animal-free R&D collaboration are not applicable to its operations. Similarly, the company's activities do not directly intersect with animal welfare policies, making public policy engagement in this area not applicable. While Essentra's environmental efforts, including diverting 94% of waste from landfill

and sustainably sourcing 20.7% of polymer materials , indirectly benefit wildlife and contribute to habitat preservation, the provided evidence lacks measurable biodiversity impact, species recovery, or habitat restoration metrics required for the wildlife conservation impact KPI. Additionally, there is no specific evidence regarding audits for animal-related suppliers; supplier audits mentioned pertain to worker welfare and labor conditions.

No War, No Weapons

Essentra PLC avoids direct military contracts or arms manufacturing, though it partners with defense contractors.

The company ensures its products are not exported, re-exported, transferred, or traded with sanctioned countries or entities, indicating an absolute prohibition on such sales. However, Essentra lacks documented initiatives promoting peace or disarmament.

Planet-Friendly Business

Essentra PLC has set science-based targets, validated by SBTi, aligned with a 1.5°C pathway.

The company aims for net-zero in direct operations by 2040 and across its value chain by 2050, with defined interim reduction targets. Total Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions were 0.447 million tCO₂e in 2022/2021. Renewable electricity accounted for 44% of total consumption in 2023. In 2024, 95% of solid waste and 96% of liquid waste were diverted from landfill. By the end of 2023, 28% recycled content was achieved across all packaging, and 20.7% of raw materials in polymer ranges were from sustainable sources. The company is planning TCFD alignment and will shortly publish its climate transition plan.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

The provided articles state that there is no mention of any cultural appropriation incidents.

This aligns with the rubric's tier for 'No reported cultural appropriation incidents (not applicable to business model)'. No other KPIs under 'Respect for Cultures & Communities' could be scored due to a lack of specific, quantifiable evidence in the provided articles. While there is mention of employee volunteering (13% participation in 2023) and general support for charities, these do not map to the precise data points required by the rubric for metrics such as formal partnerships, revenue reinvestment, or cultural preservation investments.

Safe & Smart Tech

Essentra PLC provides users with standard privacy controls, including rights to access, correct, opt-out of direct marketing, and withdraw consent, with mechanisms to manage marketing preferences.

The company practices good data minimization, removing most personal data once services cease. Limited personal data, such as transaction records, is retained for up to 10 years for justified accounting, record-keeping, and administrative reasons. Essentra PLC demonstrates good compliance with applicable privacy regulations, having developed a comprehensive GDPR project plan aligned with the Information Commissioner's Office's action plan. This plan includes classifying personal data, deploying employee training programs, revising consent practices, enhancing transparency, strengthening security measures, and ensuring international data transfers comply with legal requirements. The company also conducts regular cybersecurity awareness training and vulnerability testing.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Essentra PLC diverted 94% of all solid waste from landfill in 2023, an 18% increase from 2022.

The company has reduced its waste intensity by 28% compared to a 2019 baseline and aims to reduce overall waste volumes by 50% by 2030. As of 2023, 34% of its Components sites achieved zero waste to landfill status, with a goal for all sites to achieve this by 2030. For packaging, 58% is reusable, widely recyclable, or compostable, with a target of 100% by 2030. In products, 20.7% of sustainable materials were used in polymer ranges in 2023, surpassing its 2025 target, and the company aims for 50% by 2030. Waste reduction initiatives include mechanically recycling plastic waste from manufacturing and a cardboard packaging reuse scheme at its Nettetal hub, avoiding over 1,600 pallet boxes annually. A refreshed Supplier Code of Conduct was launched in 2023 for all suppliers over £100k, with 18% having agreed so far.