Positive impact in action: Making sustainability happen at Croda

What does positive impact look like at croda? 

By 2030, Croda aims to become Climate, Nature and People Positive.  But what does that mean in practice? More importantly, what does positive impact actually look like across a global organisation? 

It can be found in the decisions people make every day. It is present in how raw materials are sourced, how manufacturing processes are improved, how new products are developed and how Croda works with customers, suppliers and communities. 

Turning sustainability strategy into action 

Across the conversations at Sustainability LIVE London, a consistent theme emerged. While organisations are increasingly aligned on what needs to be achieved, the challenge lies in how to deliver it.  Progress depends on stronger data, closer collaboration and effective decision-making. Improving transparency across Scope 3 emissions, working more closely with suppliers and customers, and embedding sustainability into everyday business choices are all critical. 

These themes closely reflect Croda’s own approach. The business is focused on creating impact through its customers and their products, supported by action across areas including carbon reduction, water stewardship and sustainable sourcing. Delivering this consistently requires more than a clear strategy. It requires people across Croda to understand what sustainability means for their role and to feel confident putting that understanding into practice.

Building sustainability capability at Croda 

Croda recognised that while sustainability was central to its purpose and strategy, people’s understanding of the subject varied across the organisation. For some colleagues, sustainability concepts could feel complex or difficult to connect directly to their day-to-day responsibilities. At the same time, expectations from customers and partners were increasing, together with the opportunity to create value through more sustainable innovation and decision-making. 

The internal Sustainability Academy was developed to help address this need. Designed in Croda’s language and grounded in the company’s strategy, the Academy provides a structured way for colleagues to strengthen their understanding of sustainability and connect it directly to their roles and why sustainability matters to Croda and its customers. 

Positive impact, role by role

We asked our people what positive impact they are helping create, and the answers are as varied as their roles. For some it is about the raw materials, for others it is about how sites run, the ingredients teams develop or the conversations they have with customers. What connects them is a shared focus on making sustainability part of everyday decisions, not something considered separately or at the end. 

Amy Goddard, Research and Technology Manager, explains: “The positive impact I’m most proud of has been helping embed sustainability considerations much earlier in the innovation process, ensuring factors such as biodegradability and environmental fate are considered at the design stage rather than assessed retrospectively.” 

Working with suppliers to source responsibly 

Much of Croda's impact on climate and nature sits in its supply chains. That makes supplier relationships, and decisions about where and how raw materials are sourced, central to becoming Climate and Nature Positive. By 2030, Croda aims to source 75% of raw material volumes from renewable carbon and remove deforestation risk from its key bio-based supply chains. 

We asked Anna Middleton, Group Sustainability Specialist, what sustainable sourcing means in practice and why it matters so much. As Anna explains: “A lot of my role is about unlocking opportunities that might not have been there before, whether that's through new ways of working, innovation, or tackling sustainability challenges together.” 

Climate Positive starts on site 

Croda's manufacturing sites are where many climate commitments become tangible, through energy efficiency, lower emissions, process improvements and less waste. Croda aims to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations by 42% by the end of 2030. Delivering that depends on running sites safely and well. Chan Yeow, Site Director, shares the role manufacturing sites play in delivering Climate Positive outcomes.

Chan shares: “I strongly believe that Croda Singapore will continue with a strong link between suppliers and customers and therefore will provide low carbon solutions to our customers.” 

Innovation that helps customers solve sustainability challenges 

Croda's biggest opportunity to create positive impact is through its customers and the products they make. So sustainability increasingly shapes how new ingredients and technologies are designed, tested and brought to market. 

Manasi Chavan, Technology and Business Development Director, talks about how innovation can help customers solve sustainability challenges, and Amy Goddard explains how sustainability influences the way new ingredients and technologies are developed. 

Manasi explains: “Sustainability only creates impact when ambition becomes action. Our role is to help customers turn their goals into real-world solutions that deliver measurable progress without compromising performance. By 2030, I want Croda to be the partner customers turn to when they need sustainability and performance to work together confidently, credibly and at scale.” 

Amy adds: “Rather than being assessed at the end, sustainability is designed into our products and technologies from the very start.” 

What customers are talking about 

In India, Anand Diwanji, Commercial Director, is seeing sustainability become an increasingly important part of customer conversations, particularly where customers have publicly announced sustainability goals. These customers are looking more closely at carbon footprint, renewable ingredients, supply chain transparency and product sustainability data when evaluating their supply base. 

Anand tells us: “Customers with publicly announced sustainability goals increasingly view sustainability as an important qualification criterion when evaluating their supply base. This creates opportunities for Croda and often gives us a preferred position in new project discussions.” 

People Positive in local communities 

People Positive is about the difference Croda makes to people's lives. That includes paying a Living Wage globally, protecting the health and safety of its people, supporting local volunteering and investing in disadvantaged communities through the Croda Foundation. 

Lottie Almey, Croda Foundation Partnerships and Communications Manager, explains: “People Positive is about creating lasting benefits for the communities around us. Through the Croda Foundation, we can support projects that improve lives, build opportunity and help communities become more resilient for the future.”

Veronica Blanco, Technology Specialist and Croda Foundation Trustee tells us: "I have seen Croda people make a difference in many ways, from nominating organisations they care about to giving their time, sharing their experience and mentoring people in their communities. The positive impact goes beyond funding. It is also about being present, building relationships and using our knowledge to help." 

What sustainability means day to day 

For some colleagues, the link between their role and sustainability is direct. For others, it is something they are still discovering, and that honesty is part of the story. Sustainability looks different in a laboratory, on a plant, in a supplier meeting or on a customer call, but each plays its part. 

Veronica Blanco adds:  "I have learned that sustainability is not only about the environment. It is also about creating positive change that lasts and helping communities become more self-reliant."

Looking ahead to 2030 

With 2030 just over four years away, sustainability remains central to Croda’s future, shaping how the business grows, innovates and creates positive impact. We asked colleagues what positive impact they would most like to see Croda achieve. Their hopes span climate, nature and people, and they share a belief that the progress made now will last well beyond 2030. 

Amy Goddard: “I hope Croda continues investing in solutions that can have a lasting positive impact for future generations.”

Anand Diwanji: “By 2030, I’d like Croda to be recognised not only for the products we make, but for the positive impact we create.”

Manasi Chavan: “By 2030, I want Croda to be the partner customers turn to when they need sustainability and performance to work together confidently, credibly and at scale.”

Because ultimately, sustainability is driven not only by strategy, but by the people who bring it to life.