Jean-Paul Agon, CEO of the L’Oréal Group
The results published by L’Oréal in the 2016 Sharing Beauty With All Progress Report reveal an in-depth transformation brought about by the group’s sustainability efforts.
“The Sharing Beauty With All programme has brought about substantial lasting changes in the way we design, produce, communicate
and distribute our products,” says Jean-Paul Agon, CEO of the L’Oréal Group.
Launched in 2013, the Sharing Beauty With All programme summarises L’Oréal’s commitments in terms of sustainable development from the conception of products to their distribution, including the production process or the sourcing of ingredients. Every year, L’Oréal communicates and provides figures with regard to its progress.
Low-carbon model
By reducing the emissions of its plants and distribution centres by 67%, in absolute terms, from a 2005 baseline, L’Oréal has exceeded its target of a -60% reduction in CO2 emissions, four years ahead of schedule, while increasing its production by 29% during the same period. Furthermore, by the end of 2016, the Group counts 15 industrial sites that have achieved carbon neutrality.
Gradual improvement of all new products
By 2020, L’Oréal is committed to improve the environmental or social profile of 100% of its new or renovated products. This commitment concerns all L’Oréal brands and 82% of the products launched in 2016 (vs 74% in 2015) already show such an improvement.
In late 2015, Matrix in Brazil revamped its Biolage range. These products are now packaged in bottles 100% made from plastic biosourced in Brazil using a local sugarcane derivative, bio-PE, a renewable raw material that reduces the carbon footprint of the product. This is the L’Oréal Group’s first bioplastic bottle.
Some of the new products launched in 2016 demonstrate levels of biodegradability exceeding 98%, such as, for example the shampoos and conditioners of the new Biolage R.A.W. range, or the Garnier Ultra Doux 5 Plants shampoo.
“At the halfway mark of our 2020 ambitions, we are going to redouble our efforts to reduce our environmental footprint and reach our targets, particularly in terms of sustainable production and innovation”, says Alexandra Palt, Chief Sustainability Officer.
