Performance
ROBUST FINANCIAL
AND EXTRA-FINANCIAL
PERFORMANCE
(1) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
(2) Writing the Future, Together.
(3) KPIs measured for the first time in 2020 to monitor the engagement taken by BIC.
(4) The 2020 figure (49.3%) was revised following a test audit in 2021. BIC decided to publish the revised figure.
Engaging with stakeholders
engaging
with stakeholders
Our Horizon strategy has made it more important than ever to maintain a dialogue with all our stakeholders. By engaging with them on a continuous basis, we can better understand and respond to their evolving expectations.
BIC is committed to a dynamic and open dialog inviting stakeholders to challenge the company’s strategy. Together with research centers, NGOs, local associations, local authorities, consumer organizations and suppliers, BIC seeks to build constructive partnerships on an on-going basis. This commitment takes the form of partnerships, education support, mentoring development and contribution to the local economic and social dynamism.
Furthermore, dialogue with shareholders is an essential aspect of BIC’s stakeholder engagement strategy. In 2021, BIC participated in a dozen investor roadshows and conferences to meet with both shareholders and non-shareholders. The Group also implemented new communications tools for its stakeholders to drive an in-depth understanding of its strategy and business, and to complement regulated financial disclosures and results presentations.
LIGHTERS :
PARTNERING
WITH STAKEHOLDERS
In line with our Flame for Life strategy, in 2021 the Lighters division took the lead in working with stakeholders on the twin issues of Safety and Sustainability.
01
Safety
Quality and safety have always been top priorities for BIC lighters:
Each BIC Lighter meets or exceeds international safety standards. Indeed, lighters can be potentially dangerous and put consumers at risk when they don’t comply with international safety standards. To promote safety, BIC actively participates in the efforts of global standardization bodies. We also work with consumers and burn victim associations to raise awareness among institutions in Europe and worldwide.
BIC has been collecting data on accidents linked to non compliant lighters and matches for many years.
These insights fuel our fact-based dialogues with stakeholders and are shared with NGOs to help them build more efficient prevention programs and actions plans for stricter EU legislation.
02
Sustainability
The BIC lighter Sustainable Development plan is based on three pillars.
Pillar #1: Improve our products to reduce their impact on the environment.
Pillar #2: Pioneer a circular economy model in partnership with the world-class Canadian university research group CIRAIG to develop efficient mechanisms to incite consumers to return their used lighters. To bring this project to life, after seven years of research and development, BIC has built the world’s first lighter disassembly machine, sorting out all raw materials at a purity of up to 100%.
Pillar #3: Unfortunately, not all BIC Lighters find their way back into an appropriate recycling loop. To better understand the necessary steps to reduce the impact of lighters on the land, rivers, and sea, in 2019, we launched an extensive, five-year scientific research program in close collaboration with well-respected academic laboratories.
