Nature Positive
Our longstanding Commitment to be Land Positive has enabled Croda to develop sector-leading understanding of our impacts on nature. Our long history of using bio-based raw materials means we have a great responsibility to address issues around nature, biodiversity and dependencies on ecosystems. In 2022 we committed to contributing to a Nature Positive economy, recognising our material impacts are primarily in our raw material supply chains (land use change and fresh water) and at our manufacturing sites (fresh water). We are also innovating to support the world move to more sustainable agricultural food systems.
Performance Summary for Strategic Targets
Strategic nature targets |
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| Metric | 2030 Target | Unit | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
| RSPO physical mass balance (or better) palm-derived raw material volumes* | 100% | % | 91.7 | 88.0 | +3.7ppt |
| Water use impact progress at target sites** |
50% reduction across 6 target sites from 2018 baseline | No. of sites on track to meet 2030 target | 4 | 4 | - |
* Croda’s strategic target is 100% Deforestation and Conversion Free (DCF) raw material volumes derived from key bio-based feedstocks by 2030. Development of this measure beyond just palm supply chains is underway, with the intention to report fully on % DCF in the future. For ARA2025, we are reporting on % RSPO physical mass balance (or better) palm-derived raw material volumes.
** Internally developed composite metric assessing water volume, quality, displacement, water-stress and local water management maturity. Target sites are those identified in 2021-24 due to their materiality and location in areas of water risk.
Sustainable Sourcing
While we are a very small volume-user relative to the overall market, palm is our most important bio-based raw material source. We are a founder member of Action for Sustainable Derivatives (ASD), an industry consortium focused on transforming palm derivative supply chains through increasing transparency, monitoring risks, and generating on-the-ground impacts. Working with ASD in 2025, we saw continued high levels of transparency in our palm supply chains. While we continue to use RSPO physically certified Mass Balance as our primary standard for palm-containing products, we have confirmed that more than 60% of our palm-derivative raw material volumes are certified deforestation and conversion free.
Once they come into effect, compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulations (EUDR) will support a more robust approach across the industry to ensuring no deforestation, no human rights abuses and adherence to local laws; our new 2030 deforestation target drives us to far exceed just regulatory compliance to meet customer expectations.
| 2025 result (based on 2024 data) |
2024 result (based on 2023 data) |
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Palm derivative raw material volumes |
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| Deforestation and Conversion free (DCF) | 63% | 58% |
| Traceable plantation | 78% | 55% |
Supplier Engagement
In 2025 we rolled out a new supplier data gathering platform to reduce the administrative burden on suppliers and Croda teams in collecting and maintaining data points specific to our raw materials. We also updated our Supplier Code of Conduct and reissued it, focusing on supporting responsible sourcing, minimising environmental impacts, advancing circular economy practices, and fostering safe, ethical and compliant working conditions for all people in Croda’s supply chain. Through this engagement and our collaboration with Together for Sustainability, more than 24% of our raw material volumes are covered by qualified supplier-specific product carbon footprint data.
Reducing our impacts on water
We have a particular responsibility to reduce the impacts on nature from our freshwater use at sites with high water risks, for example in or near water-stressed regions, or areas at high risk of flooding. Six of our manufacturing sites located in such regions have been the focus of our Water Use Impact target until now. Of these the top four sites by water withdrawal volume (in India, Brazil, France and Spain) remain on track to achieve our strategic 2030 target of a 50% reduction in water use impact from a 2018 baseline. We are working closely with the remaining sites to support their continued progress.
Total water withdrawal volume across our operations was 3,404Δ Mega litres (2024: 3,248 Ml).
We have recommitted to delivering on this target as part of our refreshed sustainability strategy and, in 2026, will reassess any changes to sites included in the target, based on the latest available assessments of regions with high water risks.
Following our work with WBCSD and development of their Nature metrics portal, we continue to assess our total water footprint and consider future approaches to water stewardship.
Zero process waste to landfill
Following delivery of our 2024 milestone, we remain committed to sending zero process waste to landfill¹, and have embedded this in our environmental policies. We can confirm this has been achieved in 2025.
¹ Aligned with the Carbon Trust definition of 'Zero Waste to Landfill'
Our targets
Mevisa water stewardship approach & water use impact progress
In a region know for industry and strong environmental culture, Croda's Mevisa site was among the first Catalan companies to be EMAS registered, demonstrating early leadership in verified environmental management. Today, this commitment continues through Croda’s Water Roadmap 2030, which drives reductions in water use impact across five pillars: quantity, risk management, local stress, displacement effects, and quality.
Key efficiency measures include:
- Closed-cycle vacuum pumps (saving 30,000 m³/year)
- Automated scrubber gas cleaning (saving 20,000 m³/year)
- Digital monitoring system to track water consumption - equipment dedicated flow meters and data recording, allowing weekly reports to detect anomalous readings and apply corrective measures
These actions significantly improved water efficiency, resulting in a 35% reduction in water intensity during 2025.
Employees also contribute by regularly joining the ‘Let’s Clean Up Europe’ initiative to restore the Tordera riverbank, a vital water resource for our operations. In 2025, native turtles were found closely downstream, indicating healthy river conditions.
In 2026, Mevisa will advance further with water recycling from its treatment plant.