Chr. Hansen gets thumbs up from Corporate Knights’ for ESG credentials

19 Jan 2022 --- Global bioscience company, Chr. Hansen has been recognized for driving environmental, social and governance (ESG) progress and microbial products in the Canadian Corporate Knights’ 2022 ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable corporations.

Chr. Hansen ranked second this year after being included on the global top 100 list for the past five years. This was the outcome of Corporate Knight’s 18th annual ranking based on ESG metrics.

The performance indicators of about 6,914 companies with more than USD1 billion in revenues were analyzed against that of their competitors.

“It is noteworthy that the year’s score improvements are broadly anchored across all ESG areas – from clean revenue, a classic Chr. Hansen stronghold, to ESG pay link, safety and diversity – and that is a testimony to the hard work done across the entire organization,” says Mauricio Graber, Chr. Hansen CEO.

 Scaling Corporate Knights ranking order
“The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World” is an annual project initiated by Corporate Knights, a Toronto-based media and investment research firm, launched in 2005.

The ranking is announced annually in connection with the World Economic Forum in Davos. This year, however, the physical event is deferred until early summer owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Better energy secured Chr. Hansen’s green electricity with a 10-year agreement. The model will be replicated in other countries as the company realizes its environmental ambitions for the production of sustainable bacteria and natural colors. The company generates two-thirds of its annual energy from new parks supplying energy to 15,000 Danish households. 

“Delivering on the ambition to reduce our footprint while being a sustainability enabler for our customers remains our key priority in the years to come,” says Camilla Lercke, head of sustainability and ESG, Chr. Hansen.The performance indicators of about 6,914 companies with more than USD$1 billion in revenues were analyzed.

“We hope the recognition by Corporate Knights sparks even more interest in what bioscience has to offer when it comes to transforming the way we farm, eat and live a healthy life.”

Chr. Hansen recently revealed its 2030 science-based targets to align the company with low-carbon economy goals. The company has converted to 100% renewable electricity.

Chr. Hansen Holding and EQT completed a deal to acquire the Danish ingredient supplier’s Natural Colors division. The divestment follows the 2025 Strategy of the company to become a differentiated bioscience company with a focus on the microbial and fermentation technology platforms.

Edited by Inga de Jong