Nölken is broadly positioned as a member of important associations and initiatives that are directly or indirectly linked to our core sustainability topics. The supported associations and initiatives are fundamental to our sustainability commitment and cover the areas of nonwovens, personal care and cosmetics, chemicals, palm oil, climate protection, and CSR reporting.
The European Disposables and Nonwovens Association (edana) is an international association of manufacturers of nonwovens and related products. The association's goals are to actively disseminate information and engage in open dialogue with its members. We participate in the development of industry standards, particularly in the working groups for Wet Wipes, Absorbent Hygiene Products, Circular Economy for Personal & Healthcare, and Sustainability for Personal & Healthcare. We are involved in the development of industry standards, for example, concerning environmental claims and EU legislation on viscose wet wipes.
As a manufacturer of care and cleaning products, we are members of the German Chemical Industry Association for Cosmetics, Personal Care and Detergents (IKW). The IKW supports its members through advice and assistance in their business activities, thereby promoting the economic development of its members. We use this platform as an early source of information on national and European legislative changes in the cosmetics sector.
The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) represents the interests of the chemical industry in politics, economics, science, and the media. Nölken uses its membership in the VCI to stay informed early on about topics such as REACH, energy and climate policy, research and innovation, and sustainability in the chemical industry.
The Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil e. V. (FONAP) has set itself the goal of making 100 %-certified palm oil available in the DACH region. Together with representatives from industry and trade, politics, and NGOs, FONAP is developing solutions for sustainable palm (kernel) oil. Since 2013, we have been actively working in the Derivatives Working Group to promote understanding of derivatives; in the Projects and Human Rights Working Group, we are involved in developing the FONAP project; and in the Communications Working Group, we help raise consumer awareness about palm oil.
The Alliance for Development and Climate Foundation aims to link development cooperation and international climate protection through voluntary greenhouse gas offsetting. The goal is to generate funds for financing development and climate protection projects in developing and emerging countries. Nölken has supported the Alliance since November 2021, avoiding, reducing, and offsetting its CO2 emissions, and publicly pledges its commitment to climate neutrality by 2045.
Nölken Hygiene Products has been a participant in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) initiative since 2011 and is committed to the ten UNGC principles in the areas of human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and anti-corruption. These principles form the basis of our sustainability strategy and our sustainability report, which aim to combine economic goals with socially and ecologically responsible action.
As a member of the German Society for Quality (DGQ), Nölken is taking a stand for our understanding of quality and our continuous development. The DGQ stands for the promotion of quality in business and society – an attitude that we share and actively live. Through our membership, we benefit from expert exchange, current impulses from science and practice, as well as a strong network of quality managers from a wide range of industries.
Nölken is also active in associations and initiatives:
