Crocco, the green revolution in packaging embraces the Benefit Corporation model
In an era marked by an urgent call for concrete action against climate change and the environmental impact of industry, Crocco carves in stone its decades-long pioneering commitment to sustainable packaging and becomes a Benefit Corporation.
"The need to adopt business models that respect principles of sustainability and social responsibility becomes imperative. In this context, Crocco's decision to become a Benefit Corporation reflects a deep commitment to building a greener and fairer future and is consistent with what has been done over the last 30 years to conceive and propose low-impact packaging, even to the point of zero algebraic sum in terms of CO2 emissions and the production of compostable packaging also for food use," emphasises Renato Zelcher, CEO of Crocco.
'Our evolution into a Benefit Corporation,' he continues, 'is not only a response to the needs of the market, but an expression of our desire to be creators of positive change. We want our company to be remembered not only for the quality and innovation of our products but also for our contribution to society and the environment'.
Benefit Corporations represent an emerging business model that integrates profit goals with a mission to make a positive social and environmental impact. These companies are committed to pursuing sustainability in all its forms, balancing economic interests with those of the community and the ecosystem. Crocco's annual impact report (in addition to the second sustainability report published in 2023) will become a key tool for measuring and communicating progress towards these goals, promoting transparency and accountability.
In its journey towards sustainability, Crocco has markedly accelerated, significantly increasing its use of recycled material. In the last year, the company has increased its purchase of recycled material by 999 tonnes, in addition to the 1,500 tonnes coming from its subsidiary T&T, which recovers Crocco's own production waste and transforms it into new raw material: an achievement that testifies to Crocco's commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its products and promoting a circular economy.
Sustainable innovation and responsible growth led Crocco to be recognised as Growth Champion 2024 by Repubblica Affari & Finanza and ITQF. "This award reflects not only the financial strength of the company," adds Zelcher, "but also its ability to grow ethically and sustainably, investing in technologies and practices that respect the environment and contribute to the well-being of society. Being identified as a model of sustainable development highlights the effectiveness with which Crocco has been able to integrate economic objectives with those of common benefit.
Crocco's contribution to innovation in sustainable packaging has been further recognised with the prestigious CONAI award for Ecodesign. This award celebrates companies that distinguish themselves in designing packaging that minimises environmental impact through the use of recycled materials, reducing the weight and volume of packaging materials, and facilitating recycling processes. The recognition by CONAI underlines Crocco's pioneering approach to ecodesign, confirming its role as a leader in sustainable packaging innovation.
This ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability has led Crocco to be recognised as a benchmark through a multi-year agreement with the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security. Thanks to this prestigious collaboration, the company actively works to "identify, promote and enhance joint initiatives aimed at analysing and reducing the environmental footprint of its sector", consolidating its role as a leader in the promotion of environmentally sustainable business practices.
