Mondi – a leading global packaging and paper group with a focus on being sustainable by design – are contributing to a better world by making innovative solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful.
We are determined to make a difference and recently launched Mondi Action Plan 2030 which maps the actions we will take over the next decade to meet our ambitious sustainability goals by delivering circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate. All areas are aligned to the UN Sustainable Development goals.
Andrew King, Mondi Group CEO, says sustainability is at the heart of Mondi’s purpose, strategy and culture. “We operate in diverse and complex geographies and as a business that is fully integrated throughout the supply chain, I am excited by the potential to make a real difference with our new 2030 commitments touching every part of our business. Delivering on these focus areas, working with our colleagues, customers, suppliers and partners to make a positive contribution to a better world, will be a top priority for Mondi.”
More broadly, Mondi Group’s strategy is to deliver value growth sustainably by focusing performance along the value chain; investing in assets, inspiring its people to grow responsibly and partnering with customers for innovation.
Mondi’s South African business sustainably manages 254 000 hectares of plantation forests and manufactures and sells pulp, virgin containerboard and uncoated fine paper products. About 1 500 employees work in the forestry operations and the two mills located in Richards Bay and Merebank, Durban.
Mondi South Africa is at the forefront of sustainable business practices. Viv McMenamin, CEO Mondi South Africa says it is exciting to play a lead role in Mondi’s sustainability story.
“There are so many areas I am proud of, but three stand out for me. The work we are doing to reduce our water impact – from growing trees that use less water, to protecting water catchment areas and wetlands through our work with partners, to using significantly less water in our operations. Second is the progress we have made in becoming a diverse and inclusive workplace where people can grow to their full potential and contribute to our success. And thirdly, of course, our globally competitive operations that produce high-quality fully-recyclable products from sustainably sourced fibre.”
In support of this, Mondi confirmed that it would be investing R8-billion in its domestic operations over five years, which includes ongoing investment in its forestry assets and the modernisation of pulp, containerboard and paper assets.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mondi has addressed the challenge of ensuring the health and safety of our employees and their families. We also recognise the importance of business continuity and serving our customers, as well as the support that is needed to sustain our communities. We provided frontline healthcare workers fighting the Covid-19 pandemic with a donation of 100 000 FFP3/N95 medical-grade masks at a cost of just under R10-million. Fourteen mobile-health clinics and 48 further health facilities received a range of medical supplies including masks, sanitisers and digital thermometers.
Through our partnerships we were able to offer an online eLearning platform to rural high school maths and science students who could download and take their study material home for free.
Through Mondi Zimele – the small business development organisation of Mondi South Africa – the business intensified Covid-19 assistance to small businesses and accelerated its food security programme.
In support of our sustainable business philosophy, we place a significant focus on transformation and inclusive growth.
Mondi Zimele, established in 2007, provides equity, loans and business development support to employment creating small businesses within the Mondi value chain and surrounding communities. Since 2012, Mondi Zimele has provided about R100-million in loan funding to assist over 200 local businesses in creating more than 2 800 jobs.
The Mondi Zimele and Department of Trade and Industry Forestry Contractor Incubator Programme, successfully developed 23 small forestry contractors, with a focus on growing skills, management capability and improving their operational know-how. Mondi Zimele’s small-scale timber grower programme has benefitted over 3 200 growers and helped to generate direct revenues of over R120-million. Through this programme Mondi has distributed over 5,6-million seedlings and to date sourced approximately 426 000 tonnes of pulpwood timber from small-scale timber growers.
We invest significantly in skills and leadership development, offering talented individuals diverse careers as part of a global Group. We are particularly proud of the progress women are making in Mondi South Africa, holding positions such as artisans, foresters, safety managers, nursery managers, and other roles in engineering and finance. This includes our CEO, CFO, Procurement Director, CEO of Mondi Zimele, and many others.
Mondi South Africa has a very well-established approach focused on investing in communities living on our land or near our operations. One pioneering public-private partnership is focused on improving the living conditions of people living in households in isolated villages on and around our forestry land and finding sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty and offer security of tenure. Eight other agri-villages are in progress.
Mondi has roots in South Africa and is deeply committed to the country through its ongoing investments in people, assets and communities.