Our efforts towards a sustainable economy
Your paper waste is our most important raw material
Model Group Sustainability Report
The core of our corporate culture has always been closely linked to sustainable development and is reflected both in our corporate philosophy, QUINTESSENCE, and in our business model, our vertically integrated paper cycle. For us, it is not a question of whether economy and ecology go well together. It is a law of nature and the basis of our business. We are convinced that only sustainable management can guarantee lasting success.
Report
Model Group
- Filename
- Model Group Sustainability Report 2025.pdf
- Size
- 11 MB
Strategy
Sustainability strategy
As part of our sustainability strategy, the “sustainability trilogy”, we pursue three focus areas: Protecting ecosystems, Creating value, Empowering people.
Protecting ecosystems
Our approach to handling the environment is prevention. We maintain an efficient internal system for managing the environment, follow the principle of prevention and provide an effective emergency plan in case of detrimental environmental consequences. We strive for continuous improvement of our environmental results and take a preventive stance towards environmental hazards.
Empowering people
Our company represents a social organism consisting of voluntary members wherein everyone does what they can and contributes to the whole.Individuals are expected to have as much freedom to associate with others as possible so that their abilities can be enhanced to the fullest. We are home to strong individuals who forge connections by working together to create our vision and make it a reality. This unifying goal is the inspiration behind all our activities and is our most precious asset. It turns our employees into partners, ensuring everyone takes personal responsibility for their own actions.
Creating value
We start with paper waste and use it to create beautiful packaging. This metamorphosis represents our value chain which combines economy and ecology. We have been inspired by this process for generations. We are passionate about packaging and the hidden beauty. If you look closely, you will discover grace and strength even in the seemingly most ordinary packaging.
Actions
Protecting ecosystems
Our environmental strategy is guided by a preventive approach and a strong focus on resource efficiency, addressing the key environmental impacts, risks, and opportunities identified through our materiality assessment. It aims to systematically reduce environmental impacts while strengthening the long-term resilience and sustainability of our operations and value chains.
We are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with our Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated targets and to increasing the share of non fossil energy in our operations to 50 % by 2030. In parallel, we strengthen water stewardship by continuously lowering water intensity and ensuring the full treatment of wastewater at all paper mill locations.
As timber is the primary raw material for our products, sustainable forestry and a strict no deforestation approach are central pillars of our environmental strategy. In 2025, 96 % of our input materials were sourced from FSC certified and controlled materials. Our clear ambition is to achieve 100 % FSC certified and controlled materials input materials across all operations.
Our environmental performance is managed through defined targets, key performance indicators, and regular monitoring. Continuous improvement and transparent reporting, as well as robust waste, chemical, and hazard management systems form the foundation of our environmental governance and support the long-term resilience, compliance, and environmental performance of our operations. For further details please see our latest sustainability report.
Empowering people
The health and well-being of our employees are our top priorities. Regular physical activity is a key element of a healthy lifestyle, which is why we offer a diverse range of team sports activities across the Model Group. In 2024, our Model locations in Germany participated in various running and hiking events, including the company run in Leipzig, the Lollslauf in Bad Hersfeld, and the corporate hiking day in Erfurt.
In addition to encouraging sports activities for our employees, we place great importance on being an active part of the local communities at our various locations. As part of this commitment, our colleagues from Model Pakiranja d.d. supported a neighborhood football tournament near our plant in Zagreb in June. In September, our German team from Model GmbH organized a sports festival for employees and businesses in the industrial park in Bad Bentheim.
The Group also supports local sports clubs at numerous model locations, for example by purchasing training clothing or providing financial support for the modernization of sports facilities.
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Creating value
The Model Young Package competition, launched in 1996, is an annual international contest for innovative packaging design. Organized by Model, it invites students, universities, and independent designers to create new prototypes based on a fresh theme each year. Past themes have included packaging for e-commerce, food, drinks, or sweets.
Each year, the competition attracts hundreds of submissions from all continents except Antarctica, bringing together diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ideas. This global reach extends the exchange of inspiration beyond generations, highlighting the universal importance of innovative and sustainable packaging.
Over the years, Model Young Package has evolved to reflect changing trends and expectations in packaging. What was once a packaging competition is increasingly becoming an ideas and innovation platform for creative students/designers/people from all countries. In combination with our professional designers, our broad customer base and contacts in various fields and industries, the best ideas can be brought to life.
This approach helps us to stay in touch with new generations and provide innovative, sustainable solutions for our stakeholders.
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Our sustainability ratings
We actively participate in a wide array of ESG ratings. Such ratings demonstrate transparency of Model’s sustainability strategy.
