Sustainability and ethics in SLES supplier selection in South Africa
Different industries are guided by different ethics and sustainability principles. This is what you need to consider when selecting a Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) supplier.
Because of the growing eco-consciousness of their customers, more and more businesses are making concerted efforts to present themselves in a positive light to the public.
Although many SLES suppliers really care about the environment, some engage in deceptive practises such as “greenwashing” or “green shine” to give the impression that they do.
Greenwashing is the practise of chemical suppliers seeking to improve their public image without actually enhancing their environmental performance in order to raise their market value and client retention.
Yet when the truth comes out, it may be devastating for any company, B2B or B2C.
For a SLES supplier, sustainable practises are especially crucial along the supply chain and other operational touchpoints.
Thankfully, efforts to improve the environment and establish green supplier networks may coexist. Concern for the environment and concern for profits need not be mutually exclusive for businesses.
To ensure continued productivity and financial success while also being a positive influence in the fight against climate change, businesses must transition to more environmentally friendly chemicals in their supply chains.
The importance of sustainability in the supply chain
Formulations used in the manufacturing of energy, water treatment, paints and coatings, personal care products, agricultural, industrial, and institutional products all rely on chemicals. Chemicals are essential to maintaining global civilisation.
SLES Suppliers in South Africa need to accelerate their transition from synthetic chemicals to sustainable chemicals, such as bio-based surfactants, generated from plants and microorganisms, in order to improve the existing supply chain situation and access to vital chemicals.
Since synthetic chemicals make up the vast majority of industrial chemicals in the aforementioned markets, it is essential to have a backup plan in the event of a temporary shortage.
Business and the environment both benefit when sustainable chemicals are used instead of manufactured ones. Sustainable, bio-based chemicals are obtained from renewable sources and are typically biodegradable, while synthetic chemicals enable the need for oil and gas production, consume more hydrocarbons, and produce a great deal of waste.
Another perk of eco-friendly chemicals is that they are less vulnerable to disruptions in the international supply chain.
Yet, the output and manufacturing of most synthetic compounds are affected by the logistics issues involved in transporting energy throughout the world from refineries.
Additional benefits
The environmental benefits of sustainable chemicals get all the attention, but the benefits to the supply chain and logistics are often overlooked. Manufacturers should make the transition to sustainable technology and green chemical alternatives so that their supply chains are more resilient to disturbances and their businesses may continue to flourish.
Due to their high price and scarcity, sustainable chemicals were previously out of reach for most enterprises.
Being sustainable is often seen as a trade-off for performance, but this is no longer the case. Rapid advances in technology have resulted in sustainable chemicals that are highly effective, cheap, readily available close to home, and manufactured at the same scale as their synthetic counterparts.
