Umicore
Client
Worldwide, Germany, The Netherlands
Developing a smart sustainability strategy in the battery value chain
JSR Micro N.V. partnered with Sustenuto to develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy aligned with the CSRD requirements. The company relied on collaborative workshops, stakeholder engagement, and expert guidance to define key focus areas and set measurable targets for fiscal year 2025.
Developing a sustainability strategy and CSRD-aligned reporting for JSR Micro Europe
JSR Micro, which is based in Leuven and is a subsidiary of a Japanese multinational, embarked on a strategic sustainability journey with Sustenuto. The ambition was to establish a clear sustainability strategy, identify key focus areas, and align reporting with the CSRD standards. Alexandra Loosen, Sustainability Senior Specialist took the lead, with support from Johan Bogaerts from Sustenuto. The process encompassed multiple workshops, stakeholder interviews, and management meetings.
The Challenge
The challenge for JSR Micro consisted in initiating and structuring its sustainability strategy. While the company already had implemented some sustainability actions, they lacked coherence and strategic direction. The management thus sought to define key focus areas and develop a roadmap that reflected internal priorities and external stakeholder expectations. Differences in local and global context between the European and Japanese entities, limited emissions impact within the group, and the need for strategic alignment across departments further complicated the task.
Our Approach
Sustenuto facilitated a strategic process with cross-departmental workshops, stakeholder interviews, and management engagement. The initial phase consisted of an analysis of JSR Micro’s sustainability position and the identification of areas of impact through a double materiality assessment. This led to the development of a strategic roadmap and the creation of a CSRD-aligned report (JRS Micro full 2024 Sustainability Report). Sustenuto supplied various tools to JSR Micro, such as an Excel framework for reporting, provided support for communication strategies, and ensured continuous engagement through regular meetings and tailored advice.
The Results
JSR Micro finalised its sustainability strategy, defining KPIs for fiscal year 2025. The CSRD framework accelerated the translation of long-term goals into actionable targets. Management engagement also increased, with sustainability emerging in strategic decision-making. The various departments actively contributed to the reporting process, and initiatives around emissions reduction, supplier due diligence, and employee training are already underway. The collaboration with Sustenuto proved instrumental in incorporating sustainability goals into JSR Micro’s business strategy, fostering a culture of responsibility and long-term thinking.
