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Procurement & supply chain

Strengthening responsibility across the value chain
At BOBST, sustainable procurement plays a central role in reducing Scope 3 emissions and advancing responsible business practices. Our structured approach - grounded in transparency, due diligence, and supplier collaboration - ensures we manage risks, support compliance, and embed sustainability into every level of our global supply chain.

A recognized and structured approach
Our supply chain spans more than 5,500 suppliers worldwide and covers raw material sourcing, equipment manufacturing, and delivery to customers. In 2025, BOBST was honored with the Outstanding Program Management Award at the Sustain Conference in Paris by EcoVadis. This international recognition reflects our robust, scalable program to embed sustainability in procurement - from supplier engagement and training to on-site evaluations and continuous performance monitoring.
Read more about the award

Structured due diligence for sustainable sourcing
BOBST applies a risk-based due diligence process to manage environmental and human rights risks in the supply chain. This approach aligns with the Swiss Ordinance on Due Diligence and Transparency, the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), and our Group sustainability strategy.

Our four-step evaluation process is applied across our supplier base:

  1. Supplier Code of Conduct – All suppliers are required to sign our Code of Conduct, committing to ethical practices, environmental responsibility, and respect for human rights.
  2. Supplier Risk Assessment (SRA) – We evaluate suppliers based on ESG-related risks and prioritize actions accordingly.
  3. EcoVadis assessments – Higher-risk suppliers are assessed by a third-party using the EcoVadis platform, with a required minimum score of 31/100.
  4. On-site assessments – For “at-risk” suppliers, we conduct audits and implement mitigation plans. Failure to comply can result in new-business hold status.

In 2024, this process covered 68% of our procurement spend (795 suppliers), exceeding our 63% target. Ten suppliers were identified for on-site audits, and mitigation plans are in progress. To date, six suppliers have been downgraded due to non-compliance. The global purchasing community - around 150 individuals - is fully engaged and monitored on sustainability performance.

Strong governance and transparency
Sustainable procurement is embedded at all levels of our organization. A quarterly steering committee, led by the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) and Head of Corporate Sustainability, ensures alignment across strategy, execution, and continuous improvement.
New supplier onboarding includes mandatory sustainability assessments, and 52% of new suppliers in 2024 were screened for social criteria. Ongoing monitoring focuses on risk areas such as child labor and conflict minerals, with no major incidents identified in 2024.
To support accountability, an Integrity Line is available for internal and external stakeholders to report any deviations.

Looking ahead
We are committed to:
‒    Continuing supplier engagement to meet due diligence and reporting requirements.
‒    Expanding third-party sustainability assessments and monitoring.
‒    Increasing partnerships with sheltered workshops and technical schools.
‒    Supporting emissions reductions through early collaboration with raw material suppliers.

By aligning procurement with our broader sustainability goals, we create shared value for BOBST, our suppliers, and our customers - driving responsibility and performance across the packaging value chain.