Solar Industry Group Recognizes L’Oréal USA As Solar Energy Champion

L’Oréal USA received the 2013 Solar Champion award from the Solar Energy Industries Association during the Power International conference and trade show held in Chicago. SEIA’s report “Solar Means Business” recognizes L’Oréal USA as one of the 20 leading companies in the United States using solar power in their facilities. L’Oréal USA has installed more than 9.7 megawatts of photovoltaic systems in its US facilities in the past 18 months, generating clean energy enough to power more than 40,000 homes for a year. Also, its solar power systems have helped eliminate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions equal to those produced by 2,433 passenger vehicles in a year.

"L'Oréal USA Named One of Top US Companies Utilizing Solar Power", CSRwire, October 24, 2013

L'Oreal’s Strategy: Boosting Customer Base While Reducing Sustainability Footprint

L'Oréal CEO Jean-Paul Agon says his company can achieve its strategic goal of adding one billion customers over the next seven years while having a smaller impact on the environment. The company also said it will work to gets its customers involved in reducing the sustainability footprint by selling products that are “both sustainable and desirable”. The goal of meeting all the beauty needs of men and women globally – dubbed the “universalization strategy” – will involve raising awareness among consumers, through its brands, about sustainability and encouraging customers to “make more sustainable choices”. The company says it is committed to achieving 100 percent sustainability across its product line by 2020.

"L’Oréal announces its new sustainability commitment for 2020 "Sharing Beauty With All"", News release, L’Oréal, October 23, 2013

Unilever CEO Polman Says Capitalism Must Learn Social Values

Unilever CEO Paul Polman said capitalism must evolve when he spoke at an advertising conference hosted by the Indian Society of Advertisers. During his speech, Polman discussed three global trends that corporations need to consider and deal with while operating their business. Corporations have to be aware of the “emergence of a new Asian hemisphere.” As the United States increasingly focuses its attention more on its domestic affairs, it becomes apparent that countries, such as India and China, are not yet ready to become the new America. Businesses also have to deal with the connected consumer, empowered by the Internet and mobile technologies enough to topple dictators and irresponsible companies. Finally, according to Polman, global politics and businesses cannot ignore the “end of the era of abundance.” Corporations cannot afford extreme consumerism and the effects of global warming, Polman added.

"Capitalism needs to evolve, says Unilever CEO Paul Polman", Live Mint, October 30, 2013

Consumer Demand For Natural Products Drives Growth In Renewable Chemicals

Companies, including Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, and Procter & Gamble, are expanding their use of renewable chemicals, such as extracts of rosemary and the marigold flower, to replace petroleum-based chemicals in packaging, cleaning products, and cosmetics. Growth in the renewable chemicals market, which is expected to reach $83 billion in value in 2018, is driven by unpredictability in the petroleum market, increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients in products. Kemin Industries, which began developing commercially viable processes of extracting natural chemicals from rosemary about two decades ago, is now producing natural ingredients that some of the world’s largest companies currently use to extend the shelf life of their products, such as pet foods, cereals, and skin creams.

"Renewable chemicals ride demand for natural products", Gannett Washington Bureau, October 29, 2013

Unilever Secures Research Deal With University Of Manchester

Unilever signed a long-term research collaboration deal with the University of Manchester, making the university an important partner in the consumer goods company’s research into specific fields of science. Unilever has secured the support of several strategic academic partners for its efforts to grow its business while reducing its environmental impact under the company’s Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. As part of the deal, Unilever will support the university to conduct research into sustainable consumption, process engineering, biophysics and systems biology, and various aspects of inflammation, toxicology, and hair biology. University of Manchester vice-president for research and innovation Luke Georghiou said access to university research provides Unilever a competitive advantage.

"University and Unilever sign partnership agreement", The University of Manchester, October 28, 2013

EPA Acknowledges SC Johnson's Freight Sustainability Achievements With SmartWay Excellence Award

SC Johnson received a SmartWay Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of its freight supply chain sustainability and energy efficiency efforts. SC Johnson is one of the 55 companies that have received the recognition from EPA, representing the top 1 percent of the SmartWay program’s 3,000 partner companies. Freight transport accounts for more than 25 percent of all fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by the transportation sector, the EPA said. Highlights of SC Johnson’s SmartWay achievements include use of other companies’ empty miles and conversion of U.S. shipping lanes to intermodal transport.

"SC Johnson Receives U.S. EPA 2013 SmartWay Excellence Award", PR Newswire, October 23, 2013