Flint Group Packaging Inks, an ink supplier to the global print and packaging industry, has implemented a Sustainable Supply Model. In a new white paper unveiled by the company, an ambition to achieve transparent and sustainable supply conditions for the print and packaging supply chain is outlined.

Arno de Groot, vice president of procurement for Flint Group Packaging, states, “We have a strong sustainability vision embedded in everything we do at Flint Group Packaging Inks. However, this can only be truly realized if we extend our commitments to our stakeholders and suppliers located around the world. The rigorous standards we set ourselves should also be applicable to those with whom we partner, so that our supply chain is transparent and aligned in achieving sustainable business practices and processes.

“Our Sustainable Supply Model is built on the principles of strong ethical management and, within our Packaging Inks business, we have aligned our strategies and operations to that of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact in relation to management of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption. The Sustainable Supply Model complements the objectives set within the Compact and is intended to extend our approach to sustainability and ethical responsibility across our supply chain.”

The recently published white paper explores four key initiatives that have been developed as part of the Sustainable Supply Model. These include: a Supplier Selection Process, which sees potential new suppliers undergo checks and financial assessment to ensure appropriate trading capability is in place; a Sustainability Performance Assessment to compare supplier performance against 10 UN Global Compact principles and some of its sustainable development goals; a Health Safety & Environment Review to assess delivery processes and compliance to local and international packaging and labelling legislation; and a Quality and Regulatory Assessment, which considers compliance with regulatory requirements according to product, service, market and geography.

Potential suppliers are provided with a score, and if all parts of the Sustainable Supply Model have been effectively addressed, they can begin working with Flint Group Packaging Inks.