Epson Europe releases its 2023/24 Sustainability Report

Epson, a global leader in technology has released its 2023/24 European Sustainability/ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Report. It outlines the advances the company has made in the past year towards realising its 2050 goal of becoming carbon-negative and underground resource free. It also highlights how Epson is harnessing its technology to innovate practical, scalable solutions to address the most pressing environmental challenges the world faces.

Key FY23 achievements include:

• Business travel emissions reduced by 19%
• Deliveries from factories in Asia optimised to reduce future CO ₂emissions by an estimated 10-50% per container ¹
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) bolstered through implementing comprehensive manager training and company-wide e-learning initiatives
• 100% plastic-free status achieved for all point-of-sale marketing materials

“As a Japanese company, we have a profoundly deep-rooted respect for nature and sustainable practices,” explains Takanori Inaho, President at Epson Europe. “We have always been guided by the principle of Sho Sho Sei, which represents the commitment to continuous improvement behind the development of our world-leading compact, efficient, precise product technology.

“Our latest ESG Report emphasises how we are applying this same, meticulous care and thought into how our proprietary technologies can be developed to contribute to practical, scalable climate solutions. We fully recognise our responsibility to mitigate the impact we have on the planet, and we’re deeply committed to finding ways for our pioneering technology to be used creatively to solve some of the most urgent environmental issues confronting the world.” 

The report sets out Epson’s key achievements in executing its European ESG strategy, which is focused on four core pillars:

Decarbonisation— In the past year, Epson has made tangible progress in advancing its decarbonisation goals. Business travel emissions have been reduced by 19% and customer deliveries from its Asian factories have been optimised, potentially cutting future CO ₂emissions by 10-50% per container ¹. The company has announced plans for construction of a biomass plant in Japan, which will harness energy from organic waste, thereby reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. In parallel, Epson has been developing carbon capture technology to mitigate its residual CO ₂emissions.

Advancing the frontiers of industry— Epson continues to develop its technology in groundbreaking ways to tackle wider societal sustainability challenges. Building on its Dry Fiber Technology (DFT), initially used for paper recycling, the company has partnered with the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), to extend DFT technology to separate tightly woven fabric fibres that cannot currently be separated for recycling. This expands DFTs role in addressing circular economy challenges.

Epson also partnered with Japanese designer, Yuima Nakazato and Spiber Inc, the biotech company behind Brewed Protein ^TM, a synthetic protein fibre made through fermentation. Nakazato’s latest Paris Fashion Week collection utilised Epson advanced pigment inkjet printing on Brewed Protein, which is not possible with traditional analogue printing. This breakthrough expands creative possibilities for designers to adopt more sustainable fashion practices.

Fulfilling our social responsibility— outside of its core business activity, Epson is deeply committed to operating ethically and responsibly within society. The company has reinforced its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), implementing comprehensive face-to-face manager DE&I training and a company-wide e-learning initiative. Epson’s Indonesian factories were once again awarded Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Platinum status for ethical labour practices, environmental stewardship, and corporate social responsibility in its global supply chain.

Strengthening its governance— Epson has received renewed certification from certified body, Bureau Veritas for the alignment of its business activities to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a trailblazer in this field, Epson was the first technology company to receive certified recognition for integrating the SDGs into its operations.

Boris Manev, Sustainability Director, Epson Europe B.V. further explains; “We have a clear vision: to pioneer sustainable innovation and set new standards in environmental responsibility. We believe that sustainability and business success are not mutually exclusive, and we’re demonstrating this through groundbreaking initiatives such as advancing textile recycling and collaborating with fashion industry leaders to innovate more sustainable solutions. Our investments in carbon capture and renewable energy, including the development of a new biomass plant, are key milestones on our journey towards a carbon-negative future. These initiatives reflect our deep commitment to protecting the planet for future generations."

Download the full report here [will be available in EU5 + PT – local markets to add link]

Notes to editor 

The European Sustainability Report 2023/2024 details progress of the sustainability commitments and initiatives of Epson Europe for the financial year 2023 (FY23) period, (April 2023–March 2024) and was guided by the European directive relating to corporate sustainability reporting (Directive (EU) 2022/2464) and the Bureau Veritas sustainable development goals certification standard.

1 Based on preliminary estimate using EcotransIT