Top 10: Sustainable Manufacturers
Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to cut emissions, design circular products and rethink resource use, yet many global leaders are already proving what is possible.
This week's Top 10 from Manufacturing Digital highlights the companies setting the pace, from PepsiCo and Unilever to Nestlé, P&G and Schneider Electric.
Each organisation is reshaping operations around renewable energy, low-carbon materials, regenerative agriculture and traceable supply chains while embedding sustainability into product design and long-term strategy.
Their progress shows how large-scale manufacturing can align growth with environmental responsibility and deliver measurable impact across climate, water, packaging and social value.
10. PepsiCo
CSO: Jim Andrew
Founded: 1965
HQ: New York, US
“There’s a perception that sustainability always costs more, but we’ve found that it doesn’t have to"
PepsiCo is advancing sustainable manufacturing through its pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) strategy, embedding climate, water, packaging and agricultural goals across its global production footprint.
By 2040, the company aims to achieve net zero emissions, while targeting net water positive status by 2030 by replenishing more water than it uses in high-risk operating areas.
9. IKEA (Ingka Group)
CSO: Karen Pflug
Founded: 1943 (IKEA brand)
HQ: Leiden, Netherlands (Ingka Group)
Ingka Group, the largest IKEA franchisee, is reshaping manufacturing and retail operations around sustainability, targeting a 50% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2030 from a 2016 baseline and net zero by 2050.
Its Net Zero Transition Plan focuses on 100% renewable energy in operations, achieving 90% zero-emission home deliveries by 2028 and expanding circular services to extend product lifespans.
Ingka Group is also scaling plant-based meals and responsible sourcing, embedding climate action and social equality at the heart of its long-term industrial strategy.
8. L'Oréal
Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer: Ezgi Barcenas
Founded: 1909
HQ: Clichy, France
LâOrĂ©al is integrating sustainability into its global manufacturing and beauty operations through its LâOrĂ©al for the Future strategy, targeting carbon neutrality across all sites by 2025 and a 50% emissions reduction per product by 2030.
The company is scaling eco-design in production, aiming for 100% of formulas to respect aquatic life by 2030, while investing in recycled plastics, refillable packaging and inclusive sourcing programmes that empower women entrepreneurs and support local communities.
7. Unilever
Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer: Michael Stewartâââââââ
Founded: 1929
HQ: London, UK
Since 2015, Unilever has cut operational greenhouse gas emissions by 74% by switching to renewable electricity and lowering the climate impact of its products, setting a benchmark for sustainable manufacturing.
The company is also pushing for stronger climate advocacy, reviewing and challenging industry associations that are not aligned with its sustainability priorities.
Through the US$21m CIRCLE Alliance, Unilever is working to scale packaging circularity across the plastics value chain, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses while reducing plastic waste, cutting its own virgin plastic use by 18% and increasing recycled plastic to 22%.
6. Colgate-Palmolive
CSO: Ann Tracy
Founded: 1806
HQ: New York, USA
What is at the heart of all this good work? It starts with our purpose: We are Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Our purpose and the promise of a healthier future energise our sustainability efforts and our people
Colgate-Palmolive is decarbonising its global manufacturing and supply chain, targeting a 42% reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2030 through a transition to 100% renewable electricity, and a 90% reduction with net zero across its value chain by 2040.
Already, 93% of its packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable and a long-term virtual power purchase agreement signed in 2024 is expected to cover around 60% of its Europe-based operational electricity needs with wind power.
Since 2019, it has shifted roughly 75% of toothpaste SKUs to recyclable tubes while its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures programme has reached about 1.8bn children and their families worldwide.
5. Nestlé
CSO: Antonia Wanner
Founded: 1866
HQ: Vevey, Switzerland
Our Nestlé teams strive to operate within planetary boundaries, for healthy people and pets. This means supporting farmers in applying regenerative agriculture practices, improving livelihoods through the cocoa and coffee income accelerator plans, driving circularity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; all together with our supply partners and customers
Nestlé is reshaping its global manufacturing and supply chain around its net-zero by 2050 roadmap, with near-term plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.
The company is redesigning packaging for a circular economy, developing next-generation materials and investing more than US$124m by 2030 to decarbonise logistics for brands such as Perrier and San Pellegrino.
Its largest coffee brand, Nescafé, has already surpassed its regenerative agriculture goal, sourcing 32% of coffee from farmers using more sustainable practices that cut emissions by up to 40% per kilogram of green coffee.
Nestlé is also partnering with UNESCO to back 100 teams of young social impact innovators, aiming to support 500,000 people directly and indirectly to build more resilient, sustainable food systems.
4. LVMH
CSO: HĂ©lĂšne Valade
Founded: 1987
HQ: Paris, France
The results of the LIFE 360 programme, the environmental strategy we rolled out four years ago, reflect the mobilisation of our Maisons around what has become a pillar of their business models and fill me with pride
LVMH is aligning its global manufacturing and luxury supply chains with its LIFE 360 sustainability roadmap, launched in 2021 with milestones for 2023, 2026 and 2030.
By 2030, the group aims to apply creative circularity to 100% of new products, make all strategic supply chains fully traceable and cut Scope 3 emissions intensity by 55%, while preserving or restoring five million hectares of habitat.
It is targeting zero fossil-based plastic in packaging by 2026 and expanding repair, refill and recovery services across its 75 Maisons.
Sustainability is overseen by a Board-level Ethics and Sustainability Committee, supported by specialist teams that translate strategy into operational action plans.
3. Procter & Gamble (P&G)
CSO: Virginie Helias
Founded: 1837
HQ: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
We are committed to improving people’s lives with innovation that delivers irresistible performance and is more sustainable
Procter & Gamble is aligning its global manufacturing and supply chain with its journey to net zero, targeting net zero greenhouse gas emissions across operations and the value chain by 2040.
It has already cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 52% and is working to reduce Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and product use, while advancing climate, waste, water and nature goals.
Through its Ambition 2030 programme, sustainability is embedded in product design, supply chain and corporate strategy, including developing products that help consumers lower their environmental impact in use.
2. Roche
CSO: Barend van Bergen
Founded: 1896
HQ: Basel, Switzerland
It is well understood that planetary health, human health and prosperity are interconnected, and we thus have committed to creating long-term societal and financial value, addressing not only health but also environmental and social challenges
Roche ranks among the strongest performers in global sustainability, both within healthcare and across all industries.
Its Science-Based Targets initiative validated goal is to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across operations and its full value chain by 2045.
The companyâs reputation rests on its focus on access to healthcare, emissions reduction, water stewardship, resource efficiency and circularity.
Roche plays an active role in sector initiatives such as the Sustainable Markets Initiative, the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative and the AMR Industry Alliance, all aimed at advancing responsible practices.
Sustainability runs through its operations, from paperless manufacturing and eco-friendly packaging to sustainable buildings, ozone-friendly cooling and reductions in water and chemical use.
1. Schneider Electric
CSO: Esther Finidori
Founded: 1836
HQ: Rueil-Malmaison, France
We’ve now trained more than one million people in energy management, empowering communities in more than 60 countries with the skills to actively participate in the energy transition
Schneider Electric is widely recognised as one of the worldâs most sustainable industrial companies thanks to its ambitious, transparent approach to decarbonising operations and supply chains.
Alongside its own net zero goals, it works with clients, communities and top suppliers through its Zero Carbon Project to target a 50% cut in supply chain emissions.
At the core of its offer are digital automation, electrification and energy management solutions that help manufacturers boost efficiency and reduce emissions, with its EcoStruxure platform and green technologies enabling customers to save or avoid more than 553 million tonnes of COâ since 2018.
Company portals
Executives
Ann Tracy
Chief Sustainability Officer
Antonia Wanner
Chief Sustainability Officer
Barend van Bergen
Chief Sustainability Officer
Esther Finidori
Chief Sustainability Officer
Ezgi Barcenas
Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer
HĂ©lĂšne Valade
Group Environment Development Director
Jim Andrew
Chief Sustainability Officer, EVP and Executive Committee member
Karen Pflug
Chief Sustainability Officer
Rebecca Marmot
Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer
Virginie Helias
Chief Sustainability Officer
