
Our business model
We use smart science to create high performance ingredients and technologies that improve lives. Our ingredients deliver vital functionality to customers at low inclusion levels, giving us strong pricing power and allowing us to prioritise profit growth, ahead of sales, ahead of volume. We operate globally and are focused on high-value niches in life science and consumer markets.
Who we rely on:
Innovation partners
Our innovation combines internal research and development with external technology investments and partnerships, collaborating with universities and SMEs. Our partners contribute to a high proportion of our New Patented Products and the continued differentiation of our portfolio. In return our shared knowledge helps them advance science, secure funding and make breakthroughs that benefit society.
Employees
We have a growing employee base with more than a quarter of employees now located in Asia serving faster-growth markets. Recent acquisitions have increased the number of people in science-based roles. Improving workforce diversity is benefiting innovation by expanding the range of thinking in our company. Our model is decentralised, facilitating faster decision-making.
Suppliers
Most of our organic raw materials are bio-based, enabling us to provide alternatives to the fossil-based ingredients. Using natural resources brings with it responsibility to ensure
there are no negative societal or environmental impacts as well as ensuring security of supply. We partner with suppliers to improve sustainability practices in supply chains and commit to sharing the benefits equitably.


What we do
Who we create value for
Customers
Customer demand
Our customers seek innovative and sustainable ingredients to differentiate their products and meet changing consumer requirements.
Customer product
Customers use our ingredients at low inclusion levels in their products to deliver vital functionality, while helping to meet their sustainability commitments, regulatory requirements, and consumer needs.
Consumers
Consumer requirements
Climate change, biodiversity loss, widening inequality, changing demographics, and innovations in digital technologies are transforming consumer demands.
Consumer benefit
Through our customers’ products, our ingredients improve consumers’ lives by addressing their needs in sustainable ways.
Shareholders
Croda is the top-returning FTSE 350 company over the last 20 years. We delivered a record financial performance in 2021 and made significant progress on our non-financial performance as we execute our sustainability strategy.
Why we are different
- Strong sense of Purpose
- Agile, decentralised operating model; ‘One Croda’ culture
- High proportion of renewable raw materials
- Long-standing leadership and investment in sustainability
- Long-term sustainability strategy in place
- Global footprint with local sales, R&D and warehousing
- Collaborative, open innovation model
- Flexible, capital-light operations
- Direct-to-customer selling model rather than using distributors
- Broad customer base, large and small
- Compete on value rather than price
- Focused on high-value niches
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Our investment case
Croda is a successful global company with operations in 37 countries, selling into the three core markets of Consumer Care, Life Sciences and Performance Technologies.

Acquisitions
Commercialising and increasing our access to new ideas and technologies

Non-financial reporting
View our Sustainability and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Reports.

Ethics
Through Our Purpose, we have set out to create a positive difference to the environment and to society.