Novacel's Responsibility
Our teams are committed to protecting what truly matters by fostering a human, sustainable, and responsible industrial community.
Preserving the planet’s resources
Building a dynamic, human-centered, and inclusive industry
Fostering a responsible industrial community
Eco-conceiving our products: Oxygen
Reducing the ecological impact of our products is a daily challenge.
Eco-conceiving our products: Oxygen
Reducing the ecological impact of our products is a daily challenge. This goal can be achieved either by reducing the amount of material used or by replacing the fossil content by more sustainable materials.
This is the basis of the OXYGEN range. Novacel's new and unique range of ecological products promises to:
- reduce fossil raw materials as far as possible in order to save these non-renewable resources,
- use as many renewable resources as possible for a more favorable carbon balance,
- reduce CO2 emissions,
- be recyclable,
- focus more on human wellbeing.
Novacel Achieves Silver Medal Recognition from EcoVadis
At Novacel, sustainability and responsible business practices are at the heart of what we do. We are proud to announce that our efforts have been recognized with a Silver Medal from EcoVadis, a globally trusted platform that evaluates corporate social responsibility (CSR). This award is a significant milestone in our commitment to building a sustainable and ethical future.
EcoVadis is the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, evaluating over 100,000 companies across the globe. The assessment focuses on four key areas: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The Silver Medal recognizes companies with outstanding achievements in these areas, placing Novacel in the top 15% of companies evaluated by EcoVadis in this industry.
Receiving the Silver Medal is more than an accolade; it highlights our dedication to integrating sustainability into every aspect of our operations. Key achievements contributing to this recognition include proactive measures to reduce our environmental footprint, upholding human rights and ensuring fair labor practices, adopting ethical and transparent business processes, and emphasizing sustainable procurement throughout our supply chain.
While we are honored by this achievement, our journey is far from over. The Silver Medal motivates us to further enhance our practices, aiming to drive positive change within our industry and beyond. At Novacel, we believe that true progress is built on continuous improvement and collaboration.
We extend our gratitude to our employees, partners, and stakeholders who share our vision of a sustainable future. Together, we are taking meaningful steps to contribute to a healthier planet and a more equitable society.
Thank you for supporting us on this journey. Let’s continue working together to create a brighter, more sustainable future.
At Novacel, employee is empowered to make safety a key issue in his or her daily work
Ensuring safety at work
The Health & Safety of our coworkers is a priority for us. We keep a close eye on the accident rate and every year we organize a Global Safety Day. This event, which is held worldwide, is dedicated to safety training and the exchange of good practice. For several years now, all our sites, without exception, have taken part in the GSD 'Global Safety Days' once a year.
Novacel has also adopted a continuous improvement approach to workplace safety.
Thanks to the organization of regular discussions aimed at promoting reflection on workstation safety, each employee is empowered to make safety a key issue in his or her daily work.
Fostering human development
We conduct an active policy on employee upskilling and training. This policy is key to promoting operational excellence and staff engagement.
Fostering human development
We conduct an active policy on employee upskilling and training. This policy is key to promoting operational excellence and staff engagement.
- Novacel has its in-house school academy not only for training apprentices but also for whole-career skill development. This training is being developed initially in manufacturing in France and Italy, but it will be rolled out to other job families and areas in the future.
- Each new employee benefits from an induction program covering all the company's departments.
Novacel is certified ISCC PLUS for its Oxygen Vegetal range
Novacel is certified ISCC PLUS for its Oxygen Vegetal range
ISCC PLUS is a globally applicable sustainability certification system that covers all sustainable feedstocks, including agricultural and forestry biomass, circular and bio-based materials and renewables.
By certifying its Oxygen Vegetal range, which is produced according to the Mass Balance approach, Novacel demonstrates that the production’s traceability of its films is ensured in compliance with this international standard; from the raw materials sourcing (waste and residues) to the transformation process.
Sustainability criteria of the ISCC
Agricultural feedstocks that are certified to the ISCC standard must comply with various sustainability criteria to protect forests and other wooded land, high-carbon stock lands and highly biodiverse grassland. ISCC strives for a world where agricultural feedstocks are produced in an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable manner.
The ISCC requirements are based on six principles:
• Protection of lands with high biodiversity value or high Carbon stock
• Environmentally responsible Production to protect soil, water and air
• Safe working conditions
• Compliance with Human, Labour and land rights
• Compliance with laws and international treaties
• Good management practices and continuous improvement.
In addition, ISCC facilitates the use of biological and non-biological wastes and residues for new applications with a credible and transparent certification approach.
At least, to be sure that all ISCC requirements have been met, the certification implies that every element along the supply chain is either ISCC certified or ISCC licensed.
By sourcing ISCC certified mass balanced material, Novacel contributes to replace virgin fossil resources by renewable feedstocks and reaffirms its commitment to best environmental practices.
"I am thrilled to announce that OXYGEN Vegetal range is officially ISCC PLUS certified.
In addition to guarantying the quality of our products, this certification encourages us to continue our innovation efforts for a more environmentally responsible industry" - Benjamine Proisy - Novacel Marketing Director
Chargeurs Group has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2017
Commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Chargeurs Group has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2017 and we ensure that our CSR approach is fully aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Global Compact translates 17 sustainability goals into 10 principles for companies to follow in the areas of human rights, international labor standards, environment and combating corruption.
Novacel has focused on the following SDGs, defining key indicators:
Despite a reduction in our production in 2023, our water consumption per million square meters produced continued to fall, reaching its lowest level since 2020, with a 20% drop between 2023 and 2020. This was made possible by a number of investments, including an innovative system for reusing water after cleaning at our Italian site.
In 2023, Novacel accident frequency rate dropped. The focus is to reach 0 accident rate at Novacel. Continuous improvement actions and training actions are on-going.
Our range of virtuous products reached 35% of our total sales in 2023, underlining our ongoing commitment to sustainability and socially positive practices. We are proud to be able to offer more and more sustainable solutions to our customers.
Thanks to the efforts of all our teams, we have once again been able to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions per million square meters produced to 2021 levels. At the end of 2023, we took the initiative of installing a new heat recovery system that will enable us to significantly reduce our gas consumption at our French site.
More information about the UN Global Compact
Constantly maintaining good business ethics
We strive to maintain business ethics in our relationships with our partners and employees.
Constantly maintaining good business ethics
We strive to maintain business ethics in our relationships with our partners and employees.
Novacel has a responsible purchasing charter that formally outlines the key expectations we have of our suppliers. It underscores the minimum social and environmental standards we expect from entities involved in the manufacture of our products. The goal is to guarantee to our customers that everybody involved in the process has been treated decently regardless of the country they work in. We expect from our suppliers a sustainable commitment to compliance with these principles when working with us. We also conduct social and environmental audits.
Upon joining the company, each employee agrees to read and abide by the Chargeurs Group Code of Conduct.
This Code is based on current international human rights standards - specifically:
- the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
- the principles of the United Nations Global Compact,
- the United Nations guidelines on business and human rights,
- the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises,
- the principles contained in the conventions of the International Labor Organization.
Reducing our carbon footprint on energy use
Novacel is constantly working on doing the best in its operations while at the same time seeking to protect the planet.
Reducing our carbon footprint on energy use
Minimizing our environmental impact also means reducing our carbon footprint.
Energy use is a significant part of our carbon footprint. We specifically focus on energy efficiency and sourcing renewable energy. Here are some examples:
- We are gradually turning to renewable energies and we are proud of the installation of 2000 sqm of solar panels in Italy. By the end of the year, we will increase our solar panel park saving an additional 68 t CO2/year, for a total of 192 t/year.
- We are testing alternative fuels for transportation : as an example, a biogas-powered truck on our main production site in France has been implemented. Biogas is produced locally from agricultural waste, avoiding methane emissions and can be used in dedicated Compressed Natural Gas trucks. It reduces CO2 emission by at least 80% compared to a diesel truck.
- We also invested in new installations to reduce the use of new energy: part of the fatal heat is recovered, air-to-air heat exchangers have been installed and LEDs cover 70% of our lights* in our production sites.
* This project is supported by the Subvention "France Nation Verte" fund.
Reducing water consumption
It is one of the key commitments under the Global Compact.
Reducing water consumption
Reducing water consumption is one of the key commitments under the Global Compact.
Thanks to adiabatic cooling and water recovery systems, we have been able to reduce water use by 80% in the last 5 years in our French factory and in 2022 we saved 25k cubic meters in Italy.
Investing in the "Industrie Zéro Fossile - Decarb" Flash project
Investing in the "Industrie Zéro Fossile - Decarb" Flash project
Continuing its ongoing commitment to responsible industry, Novacel has recently invested in an innovative system to reduce steam consumption at its industrial sites. This ambitious project will reduce gas consumption at our Déville-lès-Rouen plant by over 6%.
A project supported by France 2030
This initiative aligns with our operational efficiency and environmental responsibility strategy, supported by France 2030's "Industrie zéro Fossile - Decarb Flash" project.
Ademe, the operator of this project on behalf of the French government, underlined our strong ambition to reduce fossil fuel consumption through this investment. This financial support will enable us to accelerate the implementation of cutting-edge technologies and actively contribute to achieving national objectives regarding industrial decarbonization.
Significant reduction in gas consumption
The new system we have chosen enables us to manage our steam consumption, and therefore our gas consumption, in our recovery units more precisely while maintaining optimum operational performance.
A 30% reduction in steam consumption on this unit represents more than 6% gas savings across our Déville-lès-Rouen industrial site.
Innovative Technology for Sustainability
By investing in innovative technologies to reduce energy consumption, Novacel continues its commitment to innovation in the service of sustainability. We continue to explore cutting-edge solutions to minimize our environmental impact while maintaining high production standards.
Supported by the "Industrie zéro Fossile - Decarb Flash" project, Novacel is taking another step towards sustainability and reinforcing its position as a responsible industrial leader.
Partnering for product circularity
Partnering for product circularity
Novacel partners with key organizations to promote recycling. As a member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) we are actively working on the eco-design, traceability and recycling of products, alongside global peers in Europe, United States and China.
Know more about the Alliance to End Plastic Waste
As an example, Novacel is a participant in the Holigrail 2.0 project, aiming to optimize the smart digital sorting of goods for high-quality recycling.
This is an initiative of the European brand association AIM. It is supported by over 130 companies and organizations. Logo et lien vers Holygrail.
Novacel is a member of AFERA
Novacel is a member of AFERA, committed to the Future of the Adhesive Tape Industry
One of Novacel's missions is to create a responsible industrial community, which is why we are proud to be an integral part of AFERA, the European Adhesive Tape Association. AFERA unites stakeholders from across the value chain of the European tape industry, for both industry and non-industry stakeholders.
AFERA: A Pillar for the Adhesive Tape Industry
Founded in Paris in 1958 and based in The Hague, the Netherlands, since 1999, AFERA is the go-to community for the European tape industry. With over 100 member companies from 20 European countries, it includes manufacturers, suppliers, converters, national organizations, research institutions, and universities. AFERA actively works on market, standardization, sustainability, and regulatory issues, offering a valuable platform for exchange and learning.
Novacel and AFERA: committed to innovation and sustainability
As an active member of AFERA, Novacel collaborates with experts and professionals from across Europe to shape the future of the industry. We are involved in programs and discussions aimed at making the adhesive tape sector future-proof, focusing on innovation. This collaboration also promotes sustainable practices that meet regulatory and societal expectations.
Together with all the members, we support the European adhesive tape value chain in their sustainability journey by:
- Elevating understanding of the role of tapes as sustainable solutions by reducing product weight, enhancing resource efficiency, and advancing the recyclability, repairability, and reusability.
- Establishing a hub for the exchange of technical insights, promoting standardized environmental assets like life cycle assessments, and providing up-to-date information on legislative and political developments, while facilitating relationships with governmental entities and non-governmental organizations.
- Supporting the creation and implementation of policies that address sustainability, along with other crucial matters related to environmental, social, regulatory, and technical challenges, serving the collective interests of the European adhesive tape sector.
Working hand in hand with AFERA and its members, Novacel positions itself at the forefront of innovation and sustainability, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow's industry.
Novacel films are recyclable
Novacel films are recyclable
As a responsible company, we focus not only on the product itself but also on its entire life cycle, including end-of-life considerations. Novacel's foils are designed to be recyclable*.
Our current goal is to assist our customers in recycling their film remnants. Whether stored in a large bag or a designated dumpster, your waste or roll-ends can be recycled.
Please find below our partner organizations qualified to recycle our products. They all have different recycling capacities and minimal waste collection. To determine which solution suits your specific needs, you can get in touch with them directly. We are working on enlarging this list for you.
Kohli Polymers GmbH
https://www.kohlipolymers.com
For Germany, Holland, Belgium, United Kingdom & France
T.D. S.r.l.
www.tdsrl.it
For Italy
*Recyclable by the forms of recycling as defined by ISO 472:2013 Plastics – Vocabulary:
“Recycling = processing of waste materials for the original purpose or for other purposes, excluding energy recovery”
Novacel's Transfer Films and Papers are certified OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
Novacel's Transfer Films and Papers are certified OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
Novacel has maintained its dedication to transparency and consumer safety for many years. As part of this ongoing commitment, our Transfer Film and Papers have once again obtained the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification for 2023.
At Novacel, we are committed to producing high-quality products while prioritizing sustainability and environmental responsibility. The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification validates our dedication to these principles and underscores our ongoing efforts to ensure that our heat transfer papers and films are safe for both the people and the planet.
The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is an internationally recognized and independent system for testing and certifying textiles. This rigorous certification ensures that our products have been rigorously tested for harmful substances thus guaranteeing their safety for human use.
Creating responsible products
Novacel develops innovative responsible solutions that can be used on the majority of our products.
Creating responsible products
Novacel aims at designing responsible products with a reduced impact on the environment and a positive impact on the users.
- Less pressure on resources,
- Less use of fossil raw materials,
- Promotion of the use of recycled materials,
- A smaller carbon footprint for our products,
- A contribution to human wellbeing by making it easier to use our products.
All Novacel products are REACH-compliant. Their use is safe for both staff and users. Their formulations are phthalate-free. In addition, our films are recyclable, in line with a circular life-cycle approach.
Novacel goes even further by developing innovative solutions that can be used on the majority of our products, based on validated technical tests:
- The Lownoise range drastically reduces the level of noise during roll unwinding to less than 85dB. This option is used mainly in laser-cutting processes.
- Novacel offers products that are easier to unwind and remove. They protect workers from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) thanks to pain-free procedures.
- The Oxygen range offers products whose carbon footprint has been reduced by over 10%.
Across the Chargeurs Group 35% of our sales are generated by sustainable products. Our ambition is to take this figure to 100% of sales by 2030.
CSR Governance
CSR Governance
Our CSR team actively promotes and implements our social responsibility commitments.
Working closely with the Chargeurs Group and all our internal departments, this team is committed to developing an ambitious policy.
We meet monthly at a global CSR committee to exchange best practices and monitor all our projects, which enriches our approach and stimulates responsible innovation.
Our CSR policy permeates all our processes, including our compensation policy. These measures contribute to the involvement of teams at all levels of the company and demonstrate our deep commitment to integrating sustainable development at the heart of our strategy.
Gender equality index
Gender equality index
In accordance with the provisions of Law N°2018-771 of September 05, 2018 for the Freedom to Choose One's Professional Future, Novacel publishes its Index Gender Equality.
Every year, companies with at least 50 employees must calculate their gender equality index and publish their score. They have three years to comply if they score less than 85 out of 100. Otherwise, they will be subject to financial penalties of up to 1% of their total payroll.
The 100-point Index is calculated based on 5 indicators:
• Indicator 1→ Gender pay gap.
• Indicator 2 → Difference in the rate of individual increases (excluding promotions) between women and men.
• Indicator 3→ Difference in promotion rates between men and women.
• Indicator 4 → Percentage of employees returning from maternity leave during the reference year who received a raise on their return during the same period, if raises were granted during their leave.
• Indicator 5 → Number of employees of the under-represented gender among the ten highest-paid employees.
These results were calculated for the reference period from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024:
NOVACEL scores : 92/100
| INDICATORS | NOVACEL |
NUMBER OF INDICATOR POINTS |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| INDIC.1 | Pay gap | 37 | 40 |
|
INDIC.2 |
Difference in the distribution of individual increases | 20 | 20 |
|
INDIC.3 |
Breakdown of promotions | 15 | 15 |
|
INDIC.4 |
Number of employees receiving a raise in the year following their return from maternity leave | 15 | 15 |
|
INDIC.5 |
Gender distribution among the 10 highest earners | 5 | 10 |
|
TOTAL INDICATORS |
92 | 100 | |
|
INDEX (out of 100 points) |
92 | 100 |
Normandy Region supports Novacel
Normandy Region supports Novacel
As part of the Impulsion Innovation grant, the Normandy Region supports Novacel.
Promoting a humane, sustainable, and responsible industrial community is at the heart of Novacel's concerns. To achieve this goal, we prioritize an innovation strategy focused on developing more responsible product ranges that minimize our environmental impact.
This involves, among other things:
· Incorporating recycled plastics and products into our manufacturing process
· Incorporating bio-based products into our products
· Reducing the carbon footprint of our company and that of our customers
Novacel has, therefore, launched an innovation program based on several eco-design principles. This has resulted in developing the first eco-designed range of process films on the market and launching a new versatile product.
Expansion of the Oxygen range
Depending on the technology chosen, this range of eco-designed process films reduces carbon emissions by 11% to 80%* compared to standard films. The latest technology in the range, Vegetal+, is made from over 80% renewable raw materials without deforestation or food competition.
The Versatis range
Thanks to its incredible versatility, the first product in the Versatis range, 4444, can replace up to 10 references with a single product.
By reducing waste caused by rolls that are not fully used during medium and short runs of a particular reference, 4444 enables our customers to reduce their carbon footprint. In addition, as it is a product with a specific adhesive, Versatis can be more easily recycled** after removal.
This development program has received financial support from the Normandy Region.
