SML Group releases sustainability report

The SML 2021 Annual Sustainability Report details the company’s five-year sustainability goals and summarizes key environmental and social impact milestones achieved since 2018. In 2020, SML reduced its overall energy consumption by 30 percent and CO2 greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent, surpassing its goal of 3 percent accumulative reductions annually.

‘Despite the widespread challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, it was imperative that we continue our work to drive improvements in sustainability and social good in 2020,’ said Ignatius K.C. Lau, vice chairman and CEO of SML Group. ‘From new developments in renewable energy, the introduction of non-solvent-based inks, sourcing recycled or compostable materials for production, to our leading item-level RFID solutions, we have and will keep pushing ourselves – and our global brand customers – to go above and beyond to minimize environmental impact and strengthen social performance.’

In 2020, SML achieved the following when compared to the baseline year (2018):

• material use – 180 percent increase in recycled yarn and 180 percent increase in recycled tape use
• paper – 150 percent increase in FSC-certified paper use, the equivalent to saving 52,000 mature trees, 57,000 m3 of water, and 9,000 MWh of electricity
• waste management – achieved and maintained 91.9 percent of landfill-free waste as well as 91.6 percent of recycled waste for use
• chemicals – 92.6 percent of chemicals procured conform to SML’s environmental and social values
• water resource management – 16 percent reduction in global water consumption

SML’s RFID technologies are a significant aid in driving industry-wide sustainability. Compared to conventional Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) RFID labels, the company’s EcoInspire RFID labels drove a 10–16 percent decrease in product carbon footprint. 

In addition, SML’s item-level RFID technology, Clarity, empowers retailers with greater inventory visibility and stock accuracies of up to 98 percent that helps to make more informed decisions around manufacturing. By understanding appropriate and accurate inventory levels, retailers and manufacturers can significantly reduce unnecessary material resources, transport emissions, and landfill waste. 

The report also details SML’s progress on broader corporate social programs, including its Covid-19 response strategy, occupational health and safety initiatives, diversity benchmarks, and ethical business practices.

‘We believe that the future of a more eco-forward industry lies firmly in our hands. In releasing this report, SML is committed to being an accountable and transparent partner to global brands as they begin or accelerate their own sustainable journeys. We’re proud of the strides we’ve made to date and will continue to evaluate new solutions, materials, and processes that will drive a better future for the industry at large,’ concluded Lau.

The full SML 2021 Annual Sustainability Report is available online on the group’s website.