Accsys Sustainability Report 2020

Sustainability Report
2020
Changing wood
to change the world
Chairman's CEO’s
introduction welcome Contents
04
Overview
Overview
4 Our business at a glance
Our business 6 Our strategy
at a glance 8 Chairman’s introduction
10 CEO’s welcome
We are changing wood to change 06

12 Our approach to sustainability
Our strategy
Changing wood…
Changing wood…
the world, enabling the choice to

MAN What we do as a business
ND UFA P
MA CT RA
DE UR C 16 Governance, management
08 10
CT
build more sustainably

I
& advocacy
TI G E
U
SE XC
N
D
ty, 18 Health and safety
O
fe i t y t he
PR
Be
sa abil wo
r
in 20 People and wellbeing
E
st o
am d e p
LL E
qu alit y and e d t
G RO
ld
b it e n d s o n u s
22 Innovation and technology
su
it t
NC E
io u
Our approach Changing
OUR VALUES
Be comm
VALUES
Health 23 Fair and ethical conduct
s–
…to change the world

wood
to sustainabilityto change and safety
B U I LD O
the world …to change the world
OUR
How we make an impact
Y
LOG
12 16 18
Re
Governance, 26 Sustainable and
RG
spe ue
c t and val
NO
management quality products
AN
all s
t a ke h o l d e r s
CH
IS
IO and advocacy 30 Responsible sourcing
TE
AT
NA R U
LC PO 32 Energy and climate change
AP
AB I L ELO
IT Y DE V
34 Ecological footprint
Summary and additional information

36 Society and communities
20 22
Summary and additional
information
38 Material issues and
People and Innovation performance summary
wellbeing and technology 40 About this report
41 Glossary
Fair and Responsible
ethical conduct sourcing
We combine chemistry, technology and

23 Energy and
climate change 32
ingenuity to make high performance Ecological Society and
wood products that are extremely footprint communities
26
durable and stable, opening new
30 34 36
opportunities for the built environment. Sustainable
and quality View the latest results online at:
products www.accsysplc.com
Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 www.accsysplc.com 1

Overview
Overview
Changing wood…
Overview
4 Our business at a glance

We use our unique patented processes In FY2020 use of our products locked
54,603 tonnes CO2e

6 Our strategy and technology to create consistently
8 Chairman’s introduction high performing, sustainable wood
products that enable new opportunities
10 CEO’s welcome for the built environment. in a building material with a usable life of well over 50 years above ground
12 Our approach to sustainability see p26 and p40 for more information about our calculations

Choosing to
build sustainably
2 Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 www.accsysplc.com 3

Our business at a glance
Overview
Providing a choice to build sustainably
Accsys is a fast-growing business with a purpose: Changing wood to change the world.
PURPOSE
Changing wood…
Who we are Investment Proposition
Changing wood to change the world
We combine chemistry, technology and ‘Changing wood’ is what we do, and ‘to change the world’ is why we Substantial market opportunity
ingenuity to make high performance wood do it. Our employees and external stakeholders have embraced this
purpose, and it gives us a common, aspirational goal to work towards: Potential sales for Accoya® and Tricoya®
products that are extremely durable and
making the world a better, more sustainable place. estimated to be in excess of 2.6 million cubic
stable, opening new opportunities for the
metres per annum.
built environment. By doing so, we give the
world a choice to build sustainably. Accoya® sales in FY2020
57,842m3

Accsys transforms fast-growing, certified
Business Model
sustainable wood into a building material
with characteristics that match or better Giving the world a choice to build sustainably and creating
those of man-made, intensely resource-
value for all our stakeholders.
depleting and heavily carbon-polluting
alternatives. Our activities include sourcing, manufacturing and sales and distribution. Sustainability
We continue to prove the value and quality of our products and
We are committed to a more sustainable Accoya® is our acetylated solid wood product. It is Tricoya® wood chips are used by our licensees to Our products meet the growing demand
the world’s leading high performance sustainable create Tricoya® panel products (such as MDF) with processes, opening up growth opportunities for the business and our
world, and our products help make that a for environmentally-friendly alternatives,
wood, sourced from fast-growing, certified enhanced properties: exceptional durability, stability, stable, durable, high-performance products.
reality. As we achieve further growth, that seen in everyday life and in every sector of
sustainable forests. It is stable, durable and resists and suitable for use in wet environments. Currently

impact will grow too: every time an Accsys rot; its properties match or exceed those of the produced from Accoya®, the world’s first Tricoya® We invest in our future through building and optimising plants, research manufacturing.
product is used, every cubic metre, provides best tropical hardwoods, plastics and other non- plant in Hull, UK, is under construction and will directly and development, and working with our business partners. We identify
a benefit to the world compared to the less renewable alternatives. acetylate wood chips from sustainable sources. and target growth opportunities to realise the substantial potential for
sustainable alternative materials available. expanding our operations, our business, and our impact on the world. Scalable growth
These competitive advantages make Accoya® the This opens countless new opportunities for specifiers,
material of choice for a wide range of demanding architects, designers and joinery manufacturers.
Accsys, and the people that make up our applications: from windows and doors to decking Our manufacturing process and modular industrial
Tricoya® panels are used in a wide variety of applications
organisation, are proud to launch this and cladding, as well as many others that would such as window components and door skins, façades design is based upon confidential know-how and
sustainability report and framework: as a otherwise require unsustainable or high carbon and cladding, wet interiors, kitchen carcasses, outdoor protected IP which can be expanded and replicated
record of our work so far, and a statement footprint materials. furniture, decorative construction, sculpture and more. world-wide. Growth ambition to reach annual
of intent for the future. Sourcing
production capacity of 200,000m3 in next five years.
Sales & Manufacturing

Distribution st a i n a bi l it y
Su
Strong organisational capability

Our products and applications
Talented people are at the core of Accsys, with
Our products not only compete on performance, Both products have a 50 year warranty for use skilled employees at all levels and committed and
but also fit into the circular economy bio-cycle, above ground and 25 year warranty for use in experienced leadership.
BESPOKE CLADDING DECKING Working with Building &
lock away carbon for decades, and are made from ground or freshwater. COMMISSIONS Business Partner s Optimising Plants
wood sourced from certified sustainable forests.

Accoya®, our flagship solid wood product, is
They offer a sustainable choice to architects, Cradle to Cradle Certified™ at the Gold level with R&D World leaders in wood technology
specifiers, manufacturers, builders and building a Platinum rating for Material Health, affirming DOORS LANDSCAPING LOUVRES
INV E
owners. Accoya® wood and Tricoya® panels are its status at the very forefront of sustainable ESTI
NG IN OUR FUT
UR We have developed innovative, proprietary
versatile, long-lasting, very dimensionally stable building materials. By increasing durability and and protected technologies, and our products
and offer substantial sustainability benefits over extending the usable lifespan of the wood, all are first in class and leading the revolution of
alternative materials such as plastics, metals, our products keep carbon trapped for longer, OUTDOOR SHUTTERS WINDOWS modified woods in a growing building industry.
FURNITURE
concrete and other types or species of wood. providing crucial environmental benefits.

Our strategy
Overview
We have a global opportunity to make
an impact through our purpose
OUR VALUES OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Changing wood…
Giving the world a choice to build sustainably and creating
value for all our stakeholders. GROW PRACTISE
Earlier in 2020 we formalised and launched our company values. They are unique PRODUCT MANUFACTURING
to us, they represent what we believe in, and we use them to guide our strategy DEMAND EXCELLENCE
and actions for the long term and on a daily basis. Our values are:
Developing market opportunities to drive revenue growth, Always working safely, and growing our manufacturing
Be ambitious – for example increasing awareness, consideration and position in Europe, USA and Malaysia; establishing
MAN the world depends on us conversion to sales for our products. new platforms in key markets to enable and support

A ND UFA P
EM CT RA further growth.
D UR C Our ambition is to change the world – it doesn’t get much bigger than that. We do this primarily though developing our sales and marketing
CT I
networks, strategy and capabilities to create, grow and realise
TI G E
U We aim to doing things faster, more efficiently, better, more safely,

SE XC
N
We must be bold, agile and committed to our goals. We have to be ‘all in’,
D
demand in existing and new markets. and, ultimately, continue to increase our production capacity through
ty,
O
fe i t y t he and move quickly and decisively.

PR
Be plant expansion and construction.

sa abil wo
in r
W
EL
To achieve our ambitions we may make mistakes, but we must not be
st o
Material issues Material issues

am d e p
qu alit y and e d t
G RO
ld
LE N
b it e n d s o n u s
afraid to try. We will always learn from the experience.

su
it t
io u

Sustainable & quality products Responsible sourcing Sustainable & quality products Responsible sourcing
Changing
OUR VALUES
CE
Be comm
VALUES
Respect and value

s–
wood Energy & climate change Society & Communities Energy & climate change Health and safety
to change all stakeholders

Governance, management Governance, management People and wellbeing
B U I LD O
the world
OUR
and advocacy and advocacy

Everyone we work with and encounter is important – our colleagues, Ecological footprint
Y
customers, partners, suppliers, investors and more.

LOG
See p12 for more about our material issues

Re
RG
spe u e We act with integrity and authenticity, encourage collaboration, and
c t and val
NO
AN
all s
t a ke h o l d e r s build trust through inclusion and mutual respect.
DEVELOP BUILD
CH
IS
IO OUR ORGANISATIONAL
TE
As a team, we will succeed.

AT
NA U R

LC PO TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITY
AP
AB I L ELO Be committed to safety,
IT Y DE V
quality and sustainability Developing technology and IP programmes based on Developing our people and organisational capabilities to
evidence and commercial viability. enable us to meet our growth objectives.
No matter how ambitious we are, safety is of the utmost importance
in everything we do. We all share responsibility for protecting people, We have the opportunity and capability to maximise the potential of Developing our resources, skills, capabilities and processes to help
property and the environment at all times. our unique knowledge and technology, and develop technical and IP us meet our business objectives, and enable long-term growth. This
programmes to maintain and protect our leading position in the includes training, talent management and development, organisational
We must strive to fulfil our brand promise and delight our customers. modified wood market. and structural improvements to our ways of working, developing new
We will always deliver consistently high quality. communication and collaboration mechanisms, and improving levels
Sustainability and our impact on society are central to what we do – not and accessibility of to expertise both inside the business and from
just for our products, but also how we operate. They guide our decision- third parties.
making throughout the business.
Material issues
Along with our purpose, these values are core to our shared culture as over- Material issues
Governance, management
See the detailed strategy arching and underpinning tenets, informing the way we work, how we make Sustainable & quality products and advocacy
Fair & ethical conduct
in our annual report at: decisions, and how interact with each other and the world around us. We
www.accsysplc.com/investors Innovation and technology People and wellbeing
will continue to embed and encourage engagement with our values over
the coming years.

Chairman’s introduction
Overview
Introduction
“As the business grows and prepares for further
Changing wood…
Accsys is a business that I am proud to have joined.
The purpose, the values, the strategy and the people global expansion, it is always with the consideration
in the organisation are all geared towards making a
positive, lasting and sustainable impact in the world. that the impact we can have is growing too.” Shifting consumer priorities Climate action and the Creating a positive impact
As the business grows and prepares for further Even five years ago, it was the established norm circular economy CO2 emissions and energy consumption are
to get free plastic bags with your shopping. In a component rather than the entirety of
global expansion, it is always with the consideration The world – including governments, research
the past couple of years, paper straws have made organisations, enterprises and consumers – is coming sustainability. Sustainability as a concept can,
that the impact we can have is growing too: we are a widespread comeback after around 70 years should, and for Accsys does include and touch
to a consensus that action is needed in all areas of
changing wood to change the world, so we can The global importance of taking a back seat to plastic ones. The shift from on many more aspects: financial sustainability,
human activity, civilisation and industry to address
change the world more – and more quickly – by sustainability plastic packaging destined only for landfill to at climate change and the effects of society on the corporate citizenship, social and ethical

growing our business. least partially recycled and recyclable plastics is environment. In addition to the Paris Agreement, we responsibility, organisational capability, employee
Attention to and focus on sustainability now being supplanted by a growing preference wellbeing, purpose and values, and of course the
have seen commitments by many businesses, nations
and ESG issues have been increasing over for reusable or renewable and truly recyclable and institutions to meet new and improved targets in overall environmental, societal and economic
the last decade especially, with particular paper-based packaging. Personal transport has also the coming years and decades. impact of a business’s operations and products. It
seen huge changes, first with the focus on engine reaches into, is affected by and influences all parts
Stephen Odell acceleration this year as the world has had
efficiency and emissions and subsequently the In addition to ‘race to zero’, there is also an increasing of an organisation, its people and its partners up
Chairman to face up to immediate and sometimes
rise of hybrids and electric vehicles, supported by focus on the renewability of resources, embodied and down the value chain.
shocking changes and challenges. We technological developments, consumer demand and carbon in materials and buildings and shifting to
have seen these changes reflected at all regulatory pressures. In the built environment, we the circular economy philosophy instead of the To maintain focus and accountability, there do of
levels of society, sometimes subtly and can see evidence all over the world of mass timber linear ‘take-make-waste’ model. In the EU and the course need to be boundaries, parameters and
incrementally and sometimes more visibly buildings and ‘plyscrapers’ – using renewable, Netherlands the concept of ‘material passports’ is a structure to how we approach and talk about
sustainability. Our review of ESG issues, and our

and suddenly. carbon-storing wood instead of concrete and gaining traction and popularity, and the draft London
steel to construct even high-rise buildings. Plan includes requirements for Circular Economy strategy to assess, monitor and address them
Statements. The environmental, social and economic therefore concentrates on those most important
Businesses have always aimed for
One common theme here is that innovation benefits possible through improved sustainability are and relevant to our business and stakeholders:
efficiency, and this has become more and technological advancements have eroded what we do, how we do it, and the impacts we, our
being increasingly recognised at a global level.
and more closely integrated with social the traditional choice of ‘sustainability vs. activities, and our products have on the world
and environmental factors over the performance’. When a more sustainable option Accsys has consciously made this a part of its around us.
years – there is little argument now that Leading from the front is available without significant drawbacks in purpose, business and products for much of its
holistic approaches are more effective functionality, it becomes an easy and obvious history. From sourcing renewable, sustainable
It is a testament to Accsys’ sustainability decision. We should not expect consumers to wood through to over a decade of Cradle to Cradle
than strictly financial ones, or that – both generally and commercially – compromise on quality in favour of sustainability Certified™ Gold status for Accoya®, sustainability
energy and material use, pollution and that the company has for years already though, and our products are frequently in its broadest sense is part of Accsys’ identity and
people are crucial to an enterprise’s been heralding the shift in attitudes and chosen for their exceptional performance and proposition. Looking beyond just sourcing and
continued success. behaviours thrown into stark relief by characteristics, which match or exceed those of production, our products are made to be sustainable
less sustainable alternatives. The sustainability of for their full life cycle: durable enough to lock in
recent events. Whether it is bushfires
At a consumer level, it is no coincidence Accsys’ products is an both integral part of what carbon for decades while new trees grow, but also
and wildfires sweeping across tranches
that energy efficiency ratings and miles we offer and a valued competitive advantage. recyclable, biodegradable, and non-toxic at end of
of Australia and the USA, or the global life. In the decking market, for example, wood-plastic
per gallon are now headlined product
repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic composite is a key competitor material and often
differentiators; it is an accumulation of
that are still evolving, there is a growing marketed as ‘sustainable’ through its use of recycled
changing perceptions and behaviours.
momentum that we – as a global community plastic – but it is destined for landfill at the end of its
Coupled with the pull from consumers product life.
– can overcome the most severe challenges,
and the drive of industry, regulatory
and that now is the time to act, to change
changes and national policies across the
our behaviours, to build back better.
world have pushed advances in minimum
acceptable levels of environmental and Accsys, with its products, customers,
social responsibility. suppliers and partners, is positioned to
help the world do exactly that.

CEO’s welcome
Overview
Providing a choice to build sustainably
Welcome “Sustainability is not just a trend, it is a global

10 5 7 100%
Changing wood…
Sustainability is not just a trend, it is a global imperative. Accsys – our people, our technology, and the
imperative. Accsys – our people, our technology, material issues main UN SDGs we additional UN SDGs we committed to
and the products we create – has had this at products we create – has had this at heart for years.” contribute to have an impact towards sustainability
heart for years. We know that what we offer is a
more sustainable option for developing the built
environment, that our products are grown from
renewable sources, that they sequester carbon Who we are and what we do
and lock it in to a useful, recyclable and non-toxic Our approach to sustainability “Changing wood” is what we do, and “to change the world” is why we do it. There is and
building material. will continue to be a need and desire for developing the built environment around us: it is

estimated by the World Economic Forum that 60% of the urban development required by
We know that our products not only offer
Governance Sustainable 2030 is yet to be built, and there is regeneration and refurbishment as well.
competitive advantages compared with other
management and quality
materials, but also open new opportunities and and advocacy products Accsys creates long-lasting, high-performance and sustainable modified wood from
enable creative, innovative design and construction fast-growing, renewable forests and our unique blend of chemistry, technology and
– all while fitting into a sustainable circular economy Health and Responsible ingenuity. We enhance the natural properties of the wood: we change the wood to make
bio-cycle, reducing embodied carbon costs, and we
do as a b
us safety sourcing it more stable so it doesn’t shrink, swell or warp like other wood, to make it resistant to
at i
without risking environmental contamination through the detrimental effects of water so it can be used in a huge range of applications, and to
ne
W
ss
Changing
the leaching of chemicals or microplastic pollution. wood…
People and Energy and make it more durable so it lasts for decades, storing carbon and maximising the positive
…to change
wellbeing climate change
environmental impact.
the world

That is why we feel a responsibility – an obligation – w
Ho
ct
we pa
m a ke a n i m
to fulfil our purpose: “Changing wood to change Fair and ethical Ecological We are changing wood to change the world.
the world.” conduct footprint
Innovation and Society and More information online at: www.accsysplc.com

technology communities
Rob Harris
Chief Executive Officer
This past year has seen many challenges on We engaged in thorough initial research
a global scale: to nations, to businesses, to of our markets, our industry and the wider Sustainability strategy roadmap Looking ahead
societies, and to the people that comprise them, global sustainability landscape, and we
support them and depend on them. Because
we know sustainability is not just a passing
refined our list of material issues through
interviews, focus groups and surveys with
Stage 1: Stage 2: Our goal is to maximise the positive impact
Evaluation and Impactful action and of what we do and what we make, capitalise
trend though, we have kept our focus on this our stakeholder groups.
strategy refinement data-led direction on opportunities for improvements, and
important issue and conducted a thorough
review of our overall sustainability and ESG It is reassuring that there is very strong overlap 5+ years minimise any negative impacts or risks
issues, impacts and opportunities. Even as in our resulting materiality matrix with our from the way we create those products
we work hard on growing our business in size, previous existing priorities and successes, and operate as a business.
scale and profitability, we have developed our confirming where we can and should focus our • Improve assessment, monitoring • Use improved data to refine action plans & set
sustainability strategy and refined and reframed efforts while also highlighting and expanding We aim to grow our business in
and data management realistic, ambitious and attainable targets
our commitment to improved monitoring, some new areas of opportunity. a sustainable way: sustainable
management and reporting of ESG issues. • Review and, where necessary, • Implement and support new programmes and
environmentally, and able to sustain long
set up new formal policies, initiatives
We engaged a specialist sustainability term success and growth. This report
oversight and workflows • Manage and reassess material issues and
consultancy to make sure we approached is an initial output from our ESG review
this in the right way, taking guidance and • Initial actions for improvement stakeholder priorities to ensure continued relevance and strategy development work this year,
input from best practice methodologies and in each material issue and marks the start of a new chapter in
independent, respected reporting guidelines Accsys’ growth and evolution as a force
and frameworks. • Establish baseline statistics
and metrics for sustainable change in the world.
10 Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 See Our Annual Report for more information www.accsysplc.com 11
Our approach to sustainability
Overview
Integrating our purpose, commitment and impact
Our ESG framework
In 2020 we have renewed and refreshed our focus on the environmental, social and
governance issues that affect our business, and that our business affects. We have
Our material issues
Changing wood…
worked with an expert outside consultancy to assess our material ESG issues and
Changing wood…
refine our strategy and reporting.
Through research of global and industry-focused trends,

leading reporting frameworks and methodologies (e.g. GRI,
SASB, CDP, DJSI, UN SDGs), and consultation and engagement
with our various stakeholder groups, we have established People and
the 10 issues most relevant and important to us as an wellbeing Governance Health and People and Innovation and Fair and ethical
organisation, and to those stakeholders. management safety wellbeing technology conduct

Health and advocacy
To make sure these issues are core to our ongoing growth, Innovation Our ambition is ultimately for We’ll ensure the wellbeing of We’ll innovate and utilise
and safety We’ll uphold our commitment to
success and overall strategic development, we have aligned and zero harm, which we will achieve our people through employee technology with sustainability high ethical standards, ensuring
We’ll maintain first-class
the issues to our purpose: technology through practising continuing engagement, diversity and and quality as our goals, going our processes and procedures
governance, management and
stakeholder relationships to health and safety excellence, inclusion, development and above and beyond to make a are strengthened as we continue
“Changing wood” is what we do, and “to change the world” sustain our growing scale. improved monitoring, raising talent management, and rewards positive impact on a global scale. to grow.
is why we do it: to have a positive impact on a global scale. awareness of our safety policies and recognition.
e do as a busi and strategy, and further work
This lets us recognise, monitor and mitigate our business actions Governance tw ne Fair and
ha
embedding the importance of
that might have a negative impact, and maximise the positive s
management W ethical health and safety in our company
s
impacts of our products and activities as we grow. There is and conduct culture.
Changing

naturally some crossover between the two, and we will not advocacy
ignore risks or opportunities that transcend categorisation –
wood… Read more on page 16 Read more on page 18 Read more on page 20 Read more on page 22 Read more on page 23
but we are proud to have this integral alignment to our core

purpose and strategy as a business, as a community of co-
workers, and as a force for good in the world.
Sustainable …to change Society

and quality
products
the world and
H communities
ow ct
Our contribution to the United Nations Sustainable we i mpa
make an
Development Goals (‘SDGs’)
Our biggest contribution to the SDGs focuses on
SDG 9, 11, 12, 13 and 15, as we understand that this
is where our business can have the biggest impact: Sustainable and Responsible Energy and Ecological Society and
Responsible Ecological quality products sourcing climate change footprint communities
sourcing footprint
We’ll ensure our products We’ll keep sourcing timber We are committed to monitoring, We’ll work to minimise the We’ll create a positive
continue to meet high standards responsibly, working with managing and reducing the ecological impact from our environmental and social impact
Energy and
of quality and sustainability by our suppliers to ensure our overall negative impacts of our operations, particularly focusing through a variety of activities
climate change
achieving accreditations and needs are met and forging new operations, while maximising on reducing water and waste, aligned with our purpose of
certifications – while always partnerships to ensure the the beneficial impacts of and adopting a circular economy “Changing wood to change
Aside from our key focus areas, we are also focusing meeting our customers’ needs. secure supply of sustainable our business and products approach to materials use the world”.
on the strong sustainability performance, and are materials. on the world. Operationally, instead of ‘take-make-waste’.
aligning to a larger number of SDGs. our key focus is on climate
mitigation and adaptation so
we are able to deliver on our
purpose effectively.
Read more on page 26 Read more on page 30 Read more on page 32 Read more on page 34 Read more on page 36

Overview
Changing wood
Changing wood...
What we do as a business
16 Governance, management and advocacy

Global energy use
39%
18 Health and safety We believe society needs to address energy use and carbon
20 People and wellbeing dioxide emissions in all areas, and building and construction
is no exception. Accsys’ products can help significantly lower is accounted for by building and construction, with
22 Innovation and technology the environmental costs of our buildings. 11% embodied in building materials (source: GABC).
23 Fair and ethical conduct see p26 for more information

Changing
wood…

How we govern ESG
Governance, management and advocacy
Accsys
Technologies
PLC Board
Overview
Growing quickly, and growing sustainably Executive
ESG Committee
Project ESG Subject Matter

Our policies We strive for first-class governance, management Leaders Manager Experts
Changing wood…
We have in place various measures and policies and stakeholder relationships to sustain our growing scale.
that are reviewed periodically to maintain
and improve our processes, accountability
and levels of performance against important
criteria, including but not limited to our:
Oversight, responsibility Effective sustainability This committee will be responsible for driving
Highlights from our assessment and engagement strategy and action the further progress of Accsys’ ESG strategy,
• Anti-Corruption, Bribery and Tax Evasion providing oversight and governance through
This list of key issues is the result of the research and stakeholder engagement, and highlights Accsys continues to comply with the QCA Code, The undertaking of our ESG review, and this
Policy and training its ongoing development and implementation.
the most relevant topics and their importance to Accsys and our stakeholders. and during the financial year ending 31 March report, is also a notable achievement for the
This includes monitoring progress of activities
• Supplier Code of Conduct 2020 (‘FY2020’) continued to refine and improve Company. The decision was made to make this a
that further Accsys’ ESG goals for its material
Very high

• Sustainable and its systems of management, reporting, risk priority even through the difficulties of the last
• Employee Handbook (including Code of issues, periodic reassessment of material
quality products Sustainable and monitoring and stakeholder engagement. Further six months, and included development of our ESG
Conduct, Ethics and Discrimination) quality products issues, communication around achievement
Governance, management
information and our statement of compliance are agenda as a performance target in the annual
• Responsible sourcing and advocacy and progress, reporting of key metrics, and
• Health and Safety Policy available on the Accsys website: https://www. incentive plan for the Executive Committee for
promotion of the sustainability agenda within
• Whistleblowing Policy • Governance, accsysplc.com/investors/corporate-governance/ the coming year. It involved substantial desk-
Rising in importance for our stakeholders

the business. The committee will report to the
management and Responsible sourcing based research coupled with broad and deep
• Political and Charitable Donations and During FY2020, we have also reviewed and Accsys Board on a regular basis, several times per
advocacy* Health and safety stakeholder engagement: interviews with key
Sponsorship Policy updated our Supplier Code of Conduct, our year, and ensure that ESG issues are and remain
Innovation and technology internal and external figures, focus groups,
• Energy and Energy and climate change
schedule of ‘matters reserved’ for the Board, core to our business, our growth, our culture and
• General Data Protections and and over 1800 employees, investors, suppliers,
climate change and added new expertise to our Executive our success.
Regulations policies and training People and wellbeing customers and other stakeholder groups were

• People and wellbeing* Committee. In September 2020, Patrick Shanley invited to complete our online survey, with over
• Share Dealing Policy and training stepped down as Chairman after nearly 10 years’
• Health and safety*
Ecological footprint
200 fully completed responses.
• Maternity and paternity Policy service to the Company, and Stephen Odell took Looking ahead
• Innovation and up the role in his place. Alexander Wessels also Even though we are a growing business, there • Assessing potential of pursuing ISO 9001,
technology* Fair and ethical conduct joined Accsys as a Non-executive Director in is a determination and commitment to grow in a ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 14001
Society and communities
Performance (FY2020) • Ecological footprint September 2020, further expanding the Board’s sustainable way – both financially and in terms • Assessing reporting to standards such
breadth of experience and knowledge. of broader societal and environmental impacts. as GRI or SASB
• Fair and ethical conduct
This was confirmed and reflected by the results
0 • Society and Throughout the challenges posed by the • Further developing ESG strategy
Moderate
of the desk-based research and stakeholder

No fines and non-monetary sanctions from communities* COVID-19 pandemic, regular contact and engagement for the ESG review, resulting in In the coming months and years ahead
non-compliance with environmental laws reporting was maintained through appropriate the ESG materiality matrix, development of our
Moderate Rising in importance for Accsys Very high we will build on our current activities and
and/or regulations in FY2020 and safe means, primarily video calls and sustainability framework and strategy, an internal plans, and improve our data monitoring and
telephone meetings. The embracing of video roadmap and action plan for each material issue,
We will be continuing to advance our assessment of these issues as our project progresses. management throughout the business. This
technology throughout the business has also and this report.
* During the course of our materiality assessment which was conducted across April to June 2020, we recognise report marks a very positive step forwards,
enabled more beneficial and frequent ‘all-hands’
that the circumstances of COVID-19 has placed a greater emphasis on these specific material issues. but is not the end goal – it is the beginning
meetings, with senior leaders and various issue
experts engaging with colleagues throughout Evolving our ESG capabilities of a stage in our growth.
the organisation on a twice-weekly basis. This and integration
Accsys is a fast-growing company, and we know Our Board of Directors and Executive Committee has provided a new channel for feedback, One initial activity identified across the spectrum
that good governance is essential to support work closely together to develop and deliver our cross-functional and hierarchy-spanning of ESG issues is to improve our data capture,
this continued growth. In 2018 we conducted a strategic priorities, monitor, manage and mitigate communications, and been welcomed and recording, management and reporting processes
corporate governance review, and subsequently risks and identify and capitalise on opportunities. encouraged by employees from all areas of and resources. We are forming an Executive
adopted the QCA Corporate Governance Code This enables effective oversight and direction as we the business. ESG Committee comprised of senior leaders in
(‘QCA Code’) as the standard for our activities grow the organisation as a business enterprise, as the business, subject matter experts and other
and reporting. an investment for our shareholders, as a community relevant members of the Accsys team.
of colleagues with shared purpose and value, and as
a force for sustainable benefit to the world.

Health and safety
Overview
Targeting zero harm
Highlights (FY2020) Our ambition is ultimately for zero harm, which we will achieve through practising Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR) improved LTIR for the year CASE STUDY
50% 1.18
Changing wood…
• Improvements to health and safety continuing health and safety excellence, improved monitoring, raising awareness
performance, monitoring, reporting
and learning of our safety policies and strategy, and further work embedding the importance Embedding our
• Relaunched ‘Commitment to safety’
as a core value
of health and safety in our company culture. H2 vs H1 2020 across the organisation
safety culture
In recent months we have launched a
• Took an employee safety and wellbeing Our policy is that we: We promote communication and participation The importance of continuous improvement renewed programme of safety awareness
first approach during the COVID-19 of our employees at all levels throughout the and engagement. A recent incident involving
We embrace a philosophy of continuous improvement,
pandemic • Provide and maintain a workplace that is safe and organisation – and we encourage our employees chemical handling highlighted the need for each
constantly looking for ways to perform better and learn
without risk to the health and welfare of all its

• Continuous focus on embedding health to actively participate in fostering a safe work from the observations and experience of the entire and every person to have safety prominent in
employees, independent contractors, members environment through safety improvement their core mentality. In addition to operational
and safety culture organisation. By continuously engaging colleagues
of associated companies and the general public, programmes, risk assessments, safety responses and targeted additional measures
at all levels of the business in the development and
so far as is reasonably practicable to do so. improvement recommendation programmes, and training, a series of all-company online
improvement of our safety procedures and learning
Performance (FY2020) • Provide and maintain plant and systems of work and ‘tool box talks’, along with other forums. programmes, we expand our knowledge, increase visibility meetings, briefings and insights has been
that are safe and with minimum risk to health. and build on our shared commitment to promoting, established: hosted by senior management and
1.18 • Provide appropriate information, instruction, Aiming for zero harm upholding and further improving a safe working HSE specialists, this reinforces the message
and importance with which we value health and
training and supervision to ensure the health As a commitment to safety is one of our core environment for all.
Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR) safety for the entire organisation.
and safety at work for all employees. values, we are proud of the progress we achieved
in improving our high levels of safety in FY2020.
3.92 In addition to our ‘Golden Safety Behaviour

• Seek to continually improve health and safety
performance. There were three lost time incidents, but the Looking ahead Rules’, our ‘ Safety starts with ME’
Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) renewed emphasis began yielding benefits, as the • Further improving HSE governance, leadership and programme, our ‘Safety Moments’ and
• Review operational performance using business experienced zero lost time incidents in standardisation across sites with recruitment of dedicated our ongoing training programmes, this
appropriate measures. Review accident
27 investigation reports and audit information,
the final five months. The moving annual average Group Head of HSE initiative is about the importance of safety
lost time incident rate (LTIR) for Hull improved at all times, in all places: from processing
Near misses recorded and actioned seeking to address root causes and share • Increased metric tracking and focus on lead indicators and
from 1.3 in H1 to 0.7 at the end of the year; at operations to office settings. There is always
those learnings. preventative actions with comparative benchmarking against
Arnhem, the rate improved from a peak of 2.8 to the opportunity – and obligation – to stop
global industry peers to determine potential areas for
610 • Make the management of health and safety 1.9 at year’s end, showing significant improvement
improvement and think before acting, to challenge any
Safety inductions an integral part of the Company. as the year progressed. situation with apparent risk, or to identify and
• Continue to embed health and safety culture of continuous act on opportunities for improvement. We
• Meet or exceed all statutory regulations, While these figures are short of our ultimate improvement through values, training, awareness campaigns have refreshed and reinvigorated our Safety
21 approved codes of practice and industry
recognised guidelines.
goal of zero lost time incidents, they highlight and issue-led activities for focus areas Observation Card programme, giving any and
Safety meetings the emphasis and strong effort by all colleagues all colleagues an open opportunity to identify
• Continue to improve processes around monitoring, reporting
to address safety concerns on a proactive and formally record their insights and ideas,
Monitoring, reporting and learning and learning.
basis by analysing data, evaluating risks and
31 In preparation for the transition of the Tricoya® taking preventive measures. We have already As Accsys continues to grow to more sites and geographies, the
allowing us to make continual improvements
in conjunction with longer-term projects and
Risk assessments Hull plant work from construction to operation, implemented improvements to our performance health and safety of our employees, partners, contractors and strategies. In these ways we protect each
and with further growth planned for the future, measurement through better tracking of leading other associates and stakeholders remains the top priority. other as well as ourselves, in these ways we
we are also in the process of improving our health and lagging indicators, and a whole-company can ‘think safe, act safe, be safe’.
and safety monitoring, reporting and learning awareness and education campaign of why they Our Health and Safety policy is predicated on the idea that all
programmes across the entire business. In are useful, valuable and important to understand. incidents are preventable, and that every one of us is responsible All employees were asked to sign a Personal
November 2020 we created a new position for the for health and safety. Collective and individual responsibility and Safety Commitment Postcard, and these are
business to help this process: Group Head of HSE, action are encouraged and reinforced through our policy, training being displayed throughout our operations as
to add value through oversight, standardisation, and procedures. reminders of our responsibilities and the ways
strategic planning and implementation support in which we can work towards ‘zero harm’.
across all of our sites.

People and wellbeing
Overview
Learning, evolving and improving together
Highlights (FY2020) We’ll ensure the wellbeing of our people through employee
81% 90% CASE STUDY
Changing wood…
• Launched annual ‘Accsys People Survey’ engagement, diversity and inclusion, development and talent
on engagement and feedback
• Cross-functional projects initiated to
management, and rewards and recognition. engagement rate with inaugural
Accsys People Survey
believe that Accsys provides high
quality products and services
Linking personal
review and address Organisational
Effectiveness and Performance
success with
Management One of our core values is a commitment to
“respect and value all stakeholders, all the time”
health and employee wellbeing throughout the
organisation, especially in the context of the
Enabling growth and improving organisational capabilities
collective
strategy and
• Objectives and Key Results (‘OKR’) Several areas were identified to target efforts for improvement,
system and online management platform – and that starts within the organisation, with the various challenges and changes resulting from including performance management, organisational effectiveness,
people that work for and make up Accsys. the COVID-19 pandemic.
value

launched, aligning personal responsibilities and better collaboration across functions and sites. A set of
to company strategy and success project teams and workstreams incorporating employees from
• Accsys Values refreshed and relaunched Our growing organisation Employee engagement and feedback across the organisation are now engaged with these topics
One way in which we’re already bringing
to put people and respect at the heart of We have a geographically and demographically We planned and executed our inaugural ‘Accsys and are looking at both company-wide and more specific
our purpose and strategy into everyone’s
our enterprise diverse workforce for a growing business, with People Survey’ in February 2020, asking for and opportunities for actions, initiatives and improving our
daily work is the introduction of a new
major operations across three sites in the UK receiving detailed feedback, opinions, ideas and supporting infrastructure and policies in these areas.
• Reinitiation of Employee Share Plan performance management system. Based
and Netherlands, and an office in the USA. From input on a wide range of subjects affecting each on objectives and key results (‘OKRs’), this
We are encouraging a ‘think globally, act locally’
mechanical operation to sales and marketing, and person, their teams, and the wider business. illustrates the clear lines and links between
approach to combine the most effective targeted
Performance (FY2020) plant construction to wood supply sourcing, our
changes with shared overall development for Accsys. each person’s role and goals with the
activities and roles encompass a wide range of An 81% response rate indicated the widespread
We are planning for a second Accsys People Survey business’s strategic priorities and purpose.

skills and personalities. enthusiasm for this, and there were several very
81% encouraging results: customer focus, job fit and in early 2021 to build further insights on our
Frequent feedback opportunities, check-
We continue to operate an equal opportunities clarity, and respect and fairness all received very baseline data, monitor the effectiveness of our
employee engagement survey response rate ins and constructive discussions between
and anti-discrimination policy for recruitment, positive responses, showing strong alignment actions so far and effectively refine and target
managers and team members are scheduled
78% training, appraisal and career development. While with our values. Nearly 80% of respondents future efforts.
and results recorded. This encourages
we acknowledge that there are broader sociological agreed or strongly agreed that they “feel proud flexible ongoing management of personal
agree or strongly agree that they feel proud
factors affecting the demographic mix for some of to work at Accsys and are treated with respect”, goals, cascading from the strategic
to work at Accsys and are treated with respect
our operational roles, further developing our efforts which we believe to be a strong positive indicator Looking ahead objectives, while also surfacing potential
€862 towards diversity and inclusion is an area in which we
see an opportunity to make progress in future.
– and we will aim to improve on this further.
• A regionally tailored approach to targeted organisational developments and ‘pain points’ and ‘blockers’ to progress in a
spent on average per FTE on training and improvements timely manner.
development • Refinement of performance and incentive strategy
Our culture Our objective is to improve dialogue and
communications throughout all levels of
0 One of our challenges is to develop our shared
• Training and development requirements and opportunities review and improvements
the organisation, allowing for the rapid
incidents of discrimination culture, strategy and values across all of these • Increased focus on diversity, inclusion and community engagement
identification of issues, opportunities and
operations and locations, and the introduction solutions that can then be implemented
The importance of caring for and nurturing our people has never been more apparent
28% of our new corporate brand, identity and
than in the last six months. We have increased our total headcount by 45% over the or resolved quickly. We are also reviewing
purpose in 2019 was a substantial step forward in our training, support and development
of eligible employees personally invested in last three years, but we are not just increasing in terms of numbers – we are constantly
harmonising that collective frame of reference. practices and policies, which will also be
Accsys through Employee Share Plan in FY2020 learning, evolving and improving together too.
aided by this new system. Work continues
Employee gender by level: In the last few months we have also refined
Our strategy is to further formalise and develop our focus on and programmes around on refreshing our compensation strategy
and relaunched our values across the business,
• Overall: 86% male, 14% female employee engagement, talent management, reward and recognition and inclusivity. as we seek to further link performance with
which aligns with our purpose and strategy and
Some of these aspects are rising in prominence and prioritisation as we establish new incentive, and we will continue with our
• Managers: 82% male, 18% female puts people, and the way we treat ourselves and
operations and others mature, but we have made great progress over the last year in successful Employee Share Plan programme
• Non-executive Board members: each other, at the very core of our corporate
many key areas. to further link overall company success with
66% male, 33% female community. We are also looking at more active
personal reward.
ways to engage with and support mental

Innovation and technology Fair and ethical conduct
Overview
Adding value and leading the way Ethically, environmentally and socially responsible
Highlights (FY2020) We’ll innovate and utilise technology Highlights (FY2020) We’ll uphold our commitment to high ethical standards, ensuring our
Focus on quality, sustainability and meeting
Changing wood…
• ‘Accoya Color’ developed for launch,
®
with sustainability and quality as our or pre-empting customer needs • Values relaunch highlighting respect for processes and procedures are strengthened as we continue to grow.
meeting customer desires and market all, commitments to safety, sustainability
goals, going above and beyond to make
trends with a unique and innovative Developing not just our products but also and quality
new decking product a positive impact on a global scale. our processes and technology • All relevant employees provided with
• Rigorous testing and quality control education and training on:
developments
–– Bribery Prevention
CASE STUDY Commitment to the highest standards ‘Respect and value all stakeholders, all the time’ is
Developing an innovation ecosystem –– Data Protection
Accsys is committed to conducting business a condensation of our social and ethical position:
Performance (FY2020) Our focus on optimising our existing product
Colour without –– Modern Slavery by treating people with respect, by valuing

sustainably, with integrity and openness, and
offering and technologies and investing in specific their time, perspectives and contributions,
compromise –– Share Dealing and Market Abuse to being ethically, environmentally and socially
Continued and growing focus technology solutions has materially enhanced our we reinforce our commitment to acting fairly,
responsible. In addition to producing sustainable
on market research and future application productivity, quality and operational efficiency. ethically and with integrity. ‘Be committed to
We have also developed a major new products, we aim to conduct our business in a way
research Performance (FY2020) that is fair, ethical, and supports environmental, safety, quality and sustainability’ further builds
Working with partners and other organisations product offering that targets an identified
high-value and growing market opportunity. social and corporate responsibility. on this, marking the underlying priorities of our
is also an important part of our innovation
€1.2m strategy, and we continue to monitor and ‘Accoya® Color’ offers customers in our
100% 100% We will continue to uphold our commitment to
actions, outputs and impacts.
dedicated investment in research and assess opportunities across a wide range of targeted launch regions our durable, stable,
of relevant of key materials high standards of ethical conduct, and bolster
development topics. In engineering, looking at our equipment sustainable real wood decking product with Ensuring policies are up to date
employees suppliers (see note our processes and procedures as we continue
and technology for example, we are working a new look that penetrates throughout the Each year we review and update, if appropriate,
(including Board) on p30) compliant to grow. Along with our established policies

on a new wood stacker alongside our fourth timber from surface to core. our policies and codes. While regulatory and legal
communicated on with our Conduct, and codes referenced on page 16 (Governance,
Leading the way to build back better reactor project, which in itself will offer safety, compliance is regarded as the absolute minimum
This allows for further cutting, shaping anti-corruption Anti-Slavery and management and advocacy), we also have a
Accsys’ products are at the forefront of the productivity and efficiency improvements to baseline level for these documents, in many cases
and finishing as desired, enabling greater policies Anti-Bribery and continuous programme of mandatory training on
sustainable building materials market, unique our operations. we aim for and implement higher standards than
flexibility and creativity from designers, Corruption policies key legal and ethical topics.
in their proposition amongst other types of required. This reflects our purpose and values,
modified or natural wood, and offering substantial
At the other end of the value chain, we specifiers and manufacturers. It also makes
93% Beyond minimising any negative social and our position as a sustainable and responsible
advantages (particularly in sustainability) over
frequently work with our direct and indirect ownership, maintenance and repairs far
easier: scuffs and scratches don’t scar completed training 0 environmental impact that may flow from our business, and our corporate identity overall.
customers as well as other organisations in
plastics, metals and other synthetic alternatives. on time cases or incidents activities, we also expect the same high standards
related markets. A recent example is current the surface appearance by revealing
of corruption and from our business partners. Our key raw
Developing our technology is one of our four work with a manufacturer of Cradle to Cradle a contrasting colour from the original
materials suppliers must either comply with our
overall strategic priorities, and vital to our ongoing Certified™ Gold paints and coatings, so that material underneath, and the Accoya® wood 100% bribery
Supplier Code of Conduct, demonstrate similar
success. Our proprietary acetylation technology customers will be able to choose and specify durability and stability are undiminished.
of operations levels of standards (for example through FSC®
and processes are at the heart of our products’ a complete, finished product with that level of
Accoya® Color is a truly original, value- assessed for 0 certification), or to have confirmed their support Looking ahead
remarkable qualities, and continued development, sustainable accreditation. corruption risks (see regulatory fines,
adding and highly desirable innovation in for the principles of the UN Global Compact, • Reviews and refreshes of Whistleblowing
refinement, expansion and protection of that is more information sanctions or which is committed to 10 universally accepted
Looking ahead several years we have plans our markets, and customer response and and Anti-Bribery, Corruption and Tax
core to the business. Improving product quality, in Annual Report settlements principles in the areas of human rights, labour,
to assess, and if appropriate implement, demand so far has been very positive. Evasion policies, Charitable Donations
advancing our technology and processes, and and Accounts Risk environment and anti-corruption. We also check
further strategic partnerships and initiatives Policy
maximising the sustainability of our products are Management section) with suppliers for compliance with the Accsys
with a broader range of entities and non-
all key enablers of further business success and • Expanded range of training courses,
commercial organisations. Modern Slavery and Human Rights Statement.
Looking ahead including multi-language support
greater positive impacts in the wider world.
• Start-up of dedicated Tricoya® Hull plant
€0 The recent relaunch of our values specifically • Continued focus on corporate
Our efforts in innovation go beyond the purely spend on political addresses the way we act as a business, and on
• Collaboration with partners to expand sustainability and ethical responsibility
technical however, with two major additional campaigns, lobbying behalf of the business.
themes: the identification and exploration of the reach and scope of our innovations or think tanks • Increased formalisation, standardisation
new uses and applications for our products, and • New product, variation, and use case and visibility of our policies, initiatives
innovations in our operational methods to improve development and learning support activities
our levels of business capability and agility.
• Process and technology improvements

Overview
Changing wood…
How we make an impact
26 Sustainable and q
uality products

30 Responsible sourcing
32 Energy and climate change
34 Ecological footprint
By choosing our products instead
of man-made alternatives, we and
70,000 tonnes of CO2e
our customers saved: This is equivalent to approximately 170 million miles of car driving,
36 Society and communities 160,000 barrels of oil consumed, or nearly 9 billion smartphones charged to full.
see p26 for more information

…to change
the world
*Note: equivalencies via www.epa.gov
Photo: Venlo city hall in the Netherlands was designed as a beacon of Cradle to Cradle
Certified™ design, incorporating Accoya® wood for the interior and exterior.

Sustainable and quality products
Overview
What our customers want and the world needs
2.6+ million cubic metres

Highlights (FY2020) We’ll ensure our products continue to meet high standards of quality
Changing wood…
• Used instead of man-made alternatives, and sustainability by achieving accreditations and certifications –
our products saved nearly 70,000 tonnes* while always meeting our customers’ needs.
of CO2e, equivalent to 171 million miles Estimated annual market potential for Accoya® and Tricoya® products
of car journeys or 160,000 barrels of
oil consumed
• Volume sold and sustainable impact
increased by 16% year on year to
Our products sequester nearly one tonne of The sustainability and quality of our products Increasing our impact
CO2e per cubic metre of Accoya®. In FY2020 encourages this decision to switch to Accoya® In FY2020 we increased the impact of our
57,842m3
that means we stored nearly 55 million kilograms and Tricoya® in the massive markets that already products on the wider world again, with a 16%
–– Resulting in 54,603 tonnes CO2e

of CO2e in useful, high performance building exist for our primary product application increase in volume supplied to the market.
locked in to our products for decades products with decades-long warranties and categories (e.g. doors, windows, cladding, The carbon sequestration of our fast-growing CASE STUDY
• Accoya® wood awarded Cradle to Cradle potential service lives of 70+ years. decking), and there is great potential for further source wood, coupled with the long service life
Restoring beauty
Certified™ Gold again, with Platinum applications and product types and variations in of our acetylated products, means each cubic
If we factor in the energy cost of production and future (see p22 – Innovation). By continuing to
rating for Material Health metre of product represents a direct and real
the savings made when Accoya® is substituted for
and quality to
grow our production capacity and sales volumes sustainability benefit to the world. This means
man-made materials, that figure rises to over 69 we directly contribute more and more to a
Calculations of CO2e saved are based on Accoya® wood there is a direct correlation between the volume
million kilograms of CO2e ‘saved’ through the use sustainable future for the world.
Minnesota State
carbon content and Environmental Product Declaration data; of material we provide to the market and the total
equivalencies via the US EPA calculator at www.epa.gov of our products last financial year. As we grow,
beneficial CO2e impact.
scaling up our production capacity, that impact
will similarly increase, and this is at the core of our
Capitol Building

Production capacity for our products has been
Performance (FY2020) purpose: changing wood to change the world. a limiting factor on sales over the past few years,
and is a primary focus for us: in order to provide The majestic State Capitol building in St. Paul,
Volume of sales in FY2020: Sustainability is a driving force in our markets,
more sustainable product to the world, we Minnesota, built at the turn of the 20th century,
increasing in importance, prominence and
57,842m3 influence through organic growth, broader
must be able to make it. We have set a goal of
200,000m3 total annual production capacity
was in a state of deterioration: on the outside,
macro-societal pressures and new or updated the regal marble exterior design was crumbling,
2025 production capacity target: within five years, a 233% increase on our and the 30-year old aluminium windows were
regulatory requirements. It is one of the major
current capacity and a 400% increase broken or failing. As part of the $272 million
200,000m3 competitive advantages of our products, along
with quality and durability, and our strategy has
since FY2017. refurbishment and improvement project,
kept us at the forefront of the movement towards Accoya® wood was used to restore these
more environmentally responsible materials fit for windows to their original wooden glory.
CO2e locked in from products sold in FY2020:
a circular economy.
1m of Accoya
Since some of the individual double-hung
54,602.85 tonnes gross 39% of global energy use is accounted for by 3 ® windows are about 2m wide by 4m tall, the
building & construction; 11% is embodied in sashes weigh in excess of 115 kilograms
building materials from their processing and (250 pounds). This resulted in the window
CO2e displaced / saved (customer
production. Research from the Intergovernmental • is grown every 2.3 seconds in replacement manufacturer Re-View engineering
sustainability) vs averaged PVC and
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that New Zealand forests a system of weights and pulleys to make the
Aluminium from sales in FY2020:
substantial reductions in carbon emissions are massive windows easy to open. Quality, stability
69,294.72 tonnes net required across all areas and sectors to limit
• locks in 944kg CO2e for at least 50 years and performance of the material was paramount,
global warming. The World Green Building Council • avoids 765kg of CO2e emissions on average and many of the installed Accoya® windows were
of our CO2e cost of production
believes the world can reach 40% less embodied when used in place of man-made materials also tested for air and water infiltration by an
carbon emissions by 2030, and our products independent testing agency. It was determined
* We are currently updating our Life-Cycle Analysis and • resulting in an environmental benefit of that they were twice as tight as the published
the data these calculations is based will be updated to can be a key part of that: every time someone
-1198kg of CO2e per cubic metre of Accoya® ratings for modern replacement windows, and
reflect the latest standards and methodologies. chooses our products instead of plastics, metals,
concrete or unsustainably harvested woods it has used, even after accounting for energy the building has never looked better.
a beneficial impact. used in production

Sustainable and quality products continued
Overview
60%
An opportunity to change: 60% of the urban development
Growth and expansion 20,000m3 to 80,000m3 p.a. total, and a significant
required by 2030 is yet to be built (source: World Economic
upgrade to our wood handling equipment that will
Changing wood…
Our strategic plans and operational execution Forum). Often the choice is between high performance or
to enable this scale of growth progressed well offer further efficiency and quality improvements highly sustainable. Our products are both.
on several fronts in the year. Construction to our processes.
work on the first-of-its-kind Tricoya® wood chip
acetylation plant in Hull, UK continued despite Meeting and growing market demand Certified quality and sustainability
some challenges from COVID-19 impacts, and Our production growth is being supported by Confirming the quality and sustainability of our products is and
we look forward to moving into commissioning increasing demand generation through sales and will continue to be a priority for Accsys, visibly demonstrated
in early 2021; this facility will increase our total marketing activities. This included reinforcing through testing, certifications and accreditations across
annual manufacturing capacity from c. 60,000m3 and expanding our global sales presence and the world. Our achievement of 10 years of Cradle to Cradle

to the equivalent of approximately 100,000m3. The ‘Approved Manufacturer’ training and marketing Certified™ Gold status for Accoya® is a particular point of CASE STUDY
completion of the Hull plant will also enable further partnership programme, and strengthening pride, as this measures and records sustainability beyond
progress to be made in
our work on a proposed
relationships with our distributors and
their customers.
simple greenhouse gas or CO2e emissions, factoring in material
health and reutilisation potential, renewable energy and carbon
Carbon-neutral
Tricoya® plant in Malaysia.
The project is supported We have also made great progress in developing
management, water stewardship, and social fairness.
house
by the LIFE programme our activities aimed at end-consumers. According We continue to target and secure many additional
of the European Union Architect: Matthew Barnett Howland
to a 2019 Nielsen study, 73% of consumers said respected accreditations, including KOMO, BREEAM,
(more information at they would “definitely or probably change their Declare, Dubokeur, Green Label and more, and we An innovative home in Berkshire, United
life.tricoya.com). consumption habits to reduce their impact conduct life cycle analyses for our products for a
CASE STUDY Kingdom, was built completely carbon-

on the environment”. Our recent focus has true understanding of their sustainability. neutral, of materials that can all be completely
Work with Eastman Chemical Company to explore been on building awareness and improving the
Sustainability for and plan an Accoya® plant in the USA continued, reused or recycled. Constructed with a
accessibility of information, and making it far material made from cork processing by-
with the notable milestone in August 2020 of easier to find and connect with local product
Thames Estuary the establishment of the Accoya USA LLC joint products and with Accoya® window and door
suppliers. Our new Accoya® website includes frames, cladding, ground floor beams, eaves
venture company. This marked the start of more a customer-first ‘Where to Buy’ section,
ecosystems detailed engineering and design work for an initial roof beams and lintels. Winner of several
connecting potential purchasers with the Accsys- RIBA awards and the 2019 Stephen Lawrence
40,000m3 annual capacity plant, with next steps trained local businesses that can provide them
planned for Q4 FY2021. Prize, which recognises experimental
Project partners: TEAM2100 and with finished products made from our wood. architecture, the house features not only
540 WORLD We also initiated a further expansion for our innovative architecture, engineering and use
There is room for massive growth of our market
Accoya® plant in Arnhem: the addition of a fourth of materials, but is also both a beautiful home
Fenders in the Thames Estuary provide a share in our primary product applications: ones in
reactor to bring capacity there up by another See more at www.accoya.com/ and proof of concept for sustainable building
unique micro-environment in the tidal waters, which our products have distinct and established
sustainability/ecolabels-acquired/ and living.
promoting healthy and diverse ecological competitive advantages, such as windows, doors,
development. Accoya® wood provided by cladding and decking. We are well-positioned to Stephen Lawrence Prize founder Marco
match our production volume growth goals with Looking ahead
Accsys is being used by the Environment Goldschmied said:
Agency’s TEAM2100 to replace one of the demand for the sustainability, quality, durability • Growth target of 200,000m3 production capacity
deteriorating hardwood fenders, as proof and freedom of creativity that our products offer; in five years “Cork House is a unique fusion of ancient
of concept that these important ecological at the most basic level it is a simple substitution –– Equating to 240 million kilograms CO2e saved construction methods and cutting-edge
support structures can be more sustainable. in place of lower quality or less sustainable other compared to man-made materials technical research to produce a highly
materials, and the advantages build from there. innovative, low carbon solution with a wide
Beyond our current main target markets, our • Production facility expansion, improvement and variety of applications from mass housing
The lack of toxic or plastic-based
research and product development activities have construction in Netherlands, UK, USA and Malaysia to emergency shelters. We are delighted
additives to Accoya® is vital to its use in
these environments, eliminating the risk identified further areas where growth is possible • Continued renewal, identification and confirmation to present Matthew Barnett Howland, Dido
of potential leaching into the water and as we increase our manufacturing capacity. of suite of technically valid quality and sustainability Milne and Oliver Wilton with the Stephen
environmental or ecological harm. accreditations Lawrence Prize 2019.”

Responsible sourcing
Overview
Certified sustainable materials
Highlights (FY2020) We’ll keep sourcing timber responsibly, working with our suppliers to ensure • Accoya® wood and Tricoya® wood chips are both FSC® certified products
Changing wood…
• Successful supply chain management our needs are met and forging new partnerships to ensure the secure supply • Our timber is sourced from certified sustainable, fast-growing forests in low risk regions
and contingency planning throughout
coronavirus pandemic of sustainable materials. • Full compliance with EU Timber Regulation
• Maintained our strict standards of
sustainable sourcing
• Worked with forestry partners to promote
sustainable, profitable forest management Ensuring responsible sourcing suppliers to drive continuous improvement, with Australia actually has a lower CO2e cost per The other main raw material component for
in New Zealand and other countries We are committed to the sustainability and regular communication, reviews and feedback volume per year of product life than Blackbutt or our products is acetic anhydride. Our Tricoya®
Spotted Gum sourced ‘locally’ in Canberra and plant location in Hull, UK and the proposed

• Progressing sourcing of local UK supply responsibility of our raw material supply: this is to enhance stability and value generation from
most evident in our wood sourcing. We retain the relationship. driven to Brisbane by truck. Accoya® plant in the USA are both co-located
of FSC® certified wood chips for Tricoya®
FSC® and PEFC® chain of custody certification with our partners’ acetic anhydride production
production in Hull The combination of this with the high quality, low
for our products, only making them with operations to minimise transportation and
• FSC® Recycled certification for our Sustainable supply of key materials risk and well-managed forestry in New Zealand, maximise efficiencies.
wood from certified sustainable forests and
offcut reclamation and recycling/ When considering our purchasing strategy, and the accelerated growth rate and carbon
forestry operations.
upcycling programme decisions are taken based on overall best value sequestration of Radiata Pine grown there, continue The majority of our acetic anhydride supply
We expect and require our suppliers to (including consideration of total lifetime cost of to make this our main and preferred source – but is refined at these locations, with acetic acid
demonstrate high standards in their operations ownership), and environmental and social costs, we continue to monitor, assess, and on occasion use reprocessing contributing the rest. This method is
Performance (FY2020) risks, opportunities and benefits. other sustainable wood sources in order to achieve quite energy-intensive by comparison, but does
with regards to safety, health and environment.
and provide the best possible balance of quality, allow for a ‘closed-loop’ system: our acetylation

Key suppliers are required to demonstrate their
100% 70% ethical and legal behaviour, sustainability, robust
Our main material for Accoya® (and currently
Tricoya®) production is very fast-growing Radiata
sustainability and customer satisfaction as we plan
for further global growth.
process produces acetic acid as a valuable by-
product with multiple uses, including being
health and safety procedures and business
of Accoya® and of all wood supply Pine from New Zealand: the climate there is converted back into acetic anhydride
continuity planning through their own operations
Tricoya® made from mills visited within conducive to very rapid growth rates, meaning with very little waste – but requiring
certified sustainable three years
and supply chains (read more on p23 – Fair and Ensuring sustainable growth for
a higher rate of carbon sequestration from the significantly higher energy input than
ethical conduct). Accsys works with its key suppliers the future
(FSC® or PEFC®) atmosphere, and makes the wood particularly refining. We continue to assess
to drive continuous improvement, with regular
wood sources 100% communication, reviews and feedback to enhance
well-suited to the acetylation process. The As we advance our strategic growth plans with the relative merits of different
progressive state of the forestry industry in the the addition of new plants, the potential for and acetic anhydride sourcing
of operations subject stability and value generation from the relationship.
100% to human rights country also offers good supply of the pruned benefits of expanding our wood supply sources and production methods to
‘clear wood’ our customers particularly value, grow too. With production at the Tricoya® wood achieve the appropriate
of key materials reviews or impact
Valuable and value-generating and minimises risks of environmental harm, non- chip acetylation plant in Hull on the horizon, we balance both now and for
suppliers* screened assessments
using environmental relationships compliance with responsible forest management performed a full review of supply options for the future operations.
feedstock wood chips. We are in the process
criteria 0 Developing long-term relationships is key to principles or corruption.
of securing and signing a supply agreement
Accsys: together with our employees, customers
incidents of human Although sourcing from New Zealand does for UK-sourced, FSC® certified raw feedstock.
100% rights violations in our
and other stakeholders, suppliers are a vital
mean a long total distance travelled for our Testing and evaluation are ongoing for potential
Looking ahead
component of our business and we strive to work
of key materials supply chain timber, the efficiency offered by bulk sea IMO local sources of raw timber materials for the • Continued focus on responsible and
together and collaborate for mutual benefit.
suppliers* met with, 2000 compliant freight is substantial: other planned Accoya® plant in the USA and Tricoya® sustainable sourcing of raw materials
* “Key materials suppliers”
visited or audited refers to wood and acetyls We expect and require our suppliers to options produce between 500% and 9800% as plant in Malaysia, as well as the exploration of • Exploration of other wood species,
suppliers who provide demonstrate high standards in their operations much CO2e per tonne per km transported. The other wood species and timber variations for source locations and supply options
100% ≥1% of that material.
The sum of any others with regards to safety, health and environment. extended service life of our products further existing and new products. As the business,
• Further work on acetic anhydride
comprises less than 2% of Key suppliers are required to demonstrate their reduces the overall impact of transport on our resources and influence grow, we see the
of new supplier supply’s production methodology,
our total supply; typically
ethical and legal behaviour, sustainability, robust lifetime costs. For a quite extreme example, potential for developing opportunities and
wood mills visited in the case of testing sourcing, and closed-loop reuse and
health and safety procedures and business Accoya® wood made from New Zealand Radiata more involved engagement with sustainable
in advance of and analysis prior to a
recycling of our acetic acid by-product
commercial relationship. continuity planning through their own operations Pine shipped to our plant in the Netherlands, then forestry organisations, advocacy groups and
commercial supply
and supply chains. Accsys works with its key being shipped back again for use in Brisbane, industry associations.

Energy and climate change
Overview
Mitigation, adaptation and life-cycle impact
Highlights (FY2020) We are committed to monitoring, managing and reducing the overall negative • Total climate impact: -49,000tonnes CO2e in FY2020:
• Total sequestered CO2e in our products: 54,602.85 tonnes
Changing wood…
• Reduced CO2e intensity by 6% year on impacts of our operations, while maximising the beneficial impacts of our business
year (net emissions from all operations* • Total net GHG emissions (including Renewable Energy Credits and carbon offsets): 5,002.46 tonnes
and products on the world. Operationally, our key focus is on climate mitigation and
per cubic metre of Accoya® produced) • TRADA (Timber Research and Development Association) lifespan assessment for Accoya®
adaptation so we are able to deliver on our purpose effectively. window frames: 70 years
• Process and equipment efficiency
• At least 50% of electricity for production is renewably source or offset
improvements
• Initiated new Life Cycle Analysis (‘LCA’)
for Tricoya® and Accoya® products Net zero and beyond There will always be energy costs associated
for updated cradle-to-grave impact The positive CO2e sequestration and trapping with our process, and for the materials required
assessment for our products (through production and/

impact of our products continues to massively
outweigh our operational energy costs and or transport), however we do use renewable
emissions, and that will continue to be our overall energy sources, on-site energy generation,
goal. Our Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Gold level carbon offsetting and other initiatives to limit the
Performance (FY2020) negative impacts. Coupled with the environmental
includes a Gold rating for Renewable Energy
and Carbon Management, and we have aligned benefits of our products, we are pleased to be
Total energy intensity (Scope 1 and Scope 2*):
our energy use and carbon strategy to meet the able to contribute a significant net benefit from
our business operations and outputs. Worth
88kg CO2e requirements for that level.
noting is that acetic acid, the major by-product
per cubic metre of Accoya® produced The use of our products helps mitigate climate of our acetylation process, is of such quality that
(including Renewable Energy Credits (‘RECs’)/ we either resupply it into the market (displacing

change through carbon sequestration and
carbon offsetting) substitution in place of shorter-lived, more energy and emissions costs of dedicated acetic
acid production) or have it reprocessed into
55kg CO2e resource-depleting or carbon-intensive alternative
materials. In anticipation of future climate change, acetic anhydride for further acetylation.
per €1000 revenue (including RECs/carbon we do not foresee issues with material sourcing
offsetting) Looking ahead
or product viability – in fact the demand for Developing focused resources and strategy
more sustainable, resilient and versatile building • Improvements to data capture and
54,602,848 kg CO2e materials, like our products, is likely to grow.
As part of the ESG review and strategy
development preceding this report, we did
monitoring to identify and act on
opportunities, and more informed mid-
sequestered in our products identify a considerable opportunity to improve and long-term strategic planning
• 944kg CO2e stored per cubic metre Mitigation and positive contribution our data monitoring, management and reporting
of Accoya® • Establishment of ESG oversight
We have made improvements to the efficiency of methods. We are improving our global operational
committee and addition of dedicated
• 600kg CO2e trapped per €1000 revenue our processes through the year, allowing for higher oversight and capabilities with new resources and
resource
volumes of wood to be acetylated in each batch: roles, and the formation of an ESG Committee
Total gross emissions for Arnhem production reducing the energy and acetic anhydride used per (see p16 – Governance). • Careful management of operational
facility and London office: cubic metre of Accoya® produced. We have further climate impacts during business growth
• 8,385.75 tCO2e efficiency improvements and initiatives under While we have made efforts to limit and reduce and expansion
assessment and as we work on our fourth reactor our energy demands and emissions impacts as
Emissions offset or retired: • Economies of scale and process
and new wood stacker at our Arnhem plant. we grow, we know that in order to make more
efficiency improvements planned for
• 3,373.04 tCO2e targeted improvements we need more detailed,
production facilities
standardised and accurate data. That is our
–– 1,844.52 tCO2e through voluntary main focus for the year ahead, and with that • Continued accreditation with the Cradle
offsetting information we can make more specific plans to Cradle Certified™ Products Program
–– 1,528.52 tCO2e saved through RECs for impactful improvements.
* More data and full notes on GHG emissions in our
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020
(https://www.accsysplc.com/investors/reports-results/)

Ecological footprint
Overview
Circular economy mindset
Highlights (FY2020) We’ll work to minimise the ecological impact from our operations, particularly • Zero waste to landfill from our manufacturing operations
Changing wood…
• Accoya® offcut programme developed focusing on reducing water and waste, and adopting a circular economy • End-of-life wood reuse, upcycling and energy generation programmes
and attained FSC® Recycled status approach to materials use instead of ‘take-make-waste’. • Cradle to Cradle™ Gold level for Water Stewardship and Material Reutilisation
• All solid material waste at our
manufacturing operation is used in
recycling, upcycling or on-site energy
generation
Performance (FY2020)

65,672 m3 CASE STUDY
Waste water discharged for treatment
0 Accoya® offcut
Zero waste to landfill
reclamation
1,364 tonnes
programme

Total waste for recycling
there exists the risk of external factors affecting Accoya® wood can be recycled or reused
28 tonnes what is possible to achieve. Beyond energy use, Looking ahead like any unprocessed or unmodified wood,
the two main factors here are the use, reuse or however it does have another exciting
Total hazardous waste for specialist treatment • Improved and expanded data gathering
disposal of water and raw materials. potential use: upcycling into Tricoya® wood
and management
chips. Already acetylated, it can be processed
The vast majority of our water use is for cooling, • Formalisation and standardisation of for use in creating Tricoya® panel products
Growth, productivity and sustainability and safely discharged into the local river system. environmental management policies, – but there is of course a need for rigorous
One of our four strategic priorities is Practising Process wastewater is sent to a water cleaning and assessment of potential sustainable quality control and inspection to ensure the
Manufacturing Excellence; this includes improved facility on the same industrial park site in and circular initiatives and activities purity of supply for this feedstock.
efficiency, circularity and the optimisation of our Arnhem before being returned to the Ĳssel river, including:
consumption and management of resources. We minimising the water wasted from our process We developed and, in FY2020, initiated a plan
• ISO 14001 and 50001 certification
aim to minimise waste in our processes and have a or removed from the local water table and to reclaim the Accoya® offcuts from some
‘circular mindset’: our commitment to embracing avoiding any harmful chemical discharges into • closed-loop recycling of acetic acid of our trusted manufacturing partners to
and promoting the circular economy philosophy the environment. • further development of Accoya® reprocess into Tricoya® chips. Although this
is evidenced by our 10 years of Cradle to Cradle reclamation programme programme is still in its early stages, our goal is
Certified™ Gold level accreditation for Accoya®. In our operations, wood that does not make it into to develop it further over time and open it up
saleable product is reused, recycled, upcycled to more and more of our customers – and their
Sustainability means more to us than just carbon into Tricoya®, or used as fuel for waste-to-energy customers too. This not only keeps the carbon
dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions: it includes generation (displacing fossil fuels). Potentially locked into our materials for longer, but also
the impacts and influences we have on the ecology hazardous waste, including for example excess enhances value, reduces waste, and embeds a
and environment around us and in the wider world. acetyls or chemicals used for testing, is disposed sustainable and circular economy philosophy.
As we grow, expanding our current operations of responsibly with specialist waste treatment
and establishing new sites and facilities, we will companies. While all our wood is ultimately bio- In July 2020, we confirmed and attained
continue to adhere to these principles, our values degradeable, we are pleased to have started our FSC® Recycled classification for our
and our purpose, though we do recognise that Accoya® reclamation scheme to include offcuts in reclaimed offcuts, and they currently make
this circular process, and are already working to up part of our Tricoya® wood chip supply.
expand the scope of this in future.

Society and communities
Overview
€30,000+
Highlights (FY2020) We’ll create a positive environmental and social impact through • Promotion of STEM and sustainable
Changing wood…
• Financial and material support for Wood a variety of activities aligned with our purpose of building and engineering programmes
Awards 2020 shortlisted Handlebar Café “Changing wood to change the world”.
donated to charitable and • Driving awareness of embodied carbon
community charity project
community activities costs of materials and circular economy
• Working with local manufacturers,
developed several new Accoya® projects
near our production plant in Arnhem, the
CASE STUDY
Netherlands. Our goal is to be a good corporate citizen, in In the past, we have supported various projects During this transformational time in Accsys’
both our local areas of operation and in the global
society in which we operate. We are a responsible
and initiatives on a relatively ad-hoc and case-by-
case basis: for example support for the Handlebar
growth journey, we see the clear opportunity
to embed our commitment and increase our
Supporting
sustainable living

Performance (FY2020) employer for local and sometimes more remote Café charity project, and engaging with potential positive impact on our local communities and
with charity
staff, and we try to support sustainable, healthy young STEM candidates with Women into broader society.
€32,035 and socially-responsible activities with local, Manufacturing and Engineering in Hull.
café project in
national and international partners and projects.
Donations (including products supplied) While this has been effective and impactful in
We engage with projects and activities that local, concentrated instances, one key goal we
179 promote and demonstrate the value of a more have in this area is to develop a more formal, Winchester, UK
sustainable approach to life, and especially the standardised and accessible set of protocols The Handlebar Café is cycle-friendly,
Average monthly number of employees
built environment. The impact of our products and policies to support this at a more strategic socially-sourced, and was designed by the
for FY2020
is at the heart of our purpose: “Changing level. We are assessing programmes that would young minds of spudYOUTH, a RIBA award

wood to change the world”, so we focus on provide employees with dedicated ‘volunteer
20 supporting the circular economy bio-cycle days’ for community or charity support activities,
winning charity. Accsys has been supporting
the project throughout its development,
new employees added in FY2020 agenda, the use of sustainable materials, and and engaging with our colleagues to choose contributing both funding and sustainable,
promotion of engineering, architecture, building and nominate several ‘Charities of the Year’ to long-lasting Accoya® wood for its cladding
and manufacturing. focus on (at local and international levels). and decking.
A ‘model of sustainability’ and constructed

largely from timber, the design was inspired
by the train carriages that once ran along
the railway line. Fitting in perfectly to the
project’s sustainability goals is the use of
Accoya® wood for the exterior elements.
Looking ahead The Handlebar Café has since been
• Establishing an updated and formalised shortlisted for the Wood Awards 2020,
strategy for charitable and community which recognises excellence in architecture
support activities, and engaging and product design.
colleagues throughout the business
As Accoya® wood is so stable and durable,
• Continued focus on relevant projects the trees used to make them will actually
that align with our purpose, activities be regrown several times over during the
and impacts lifetime of products made from it – and the
• Assessment and introduction of carbon footprint for production is very low
voluntary and charitable work days (or even negative). Accsys is committed to
for colleagues sustainability for the built environment, and
is pleased to support this unique project by
some potential architects of the future.
Photo: Julia Conway

Material issues and performance summary
Overview
Changing wood… …to change the world
What we do as a business How we make an impact
Changing wood…
Governance Health and People and Fair and ethical Innovation and Sustainable Responsible Energy Ecological Society and
management safety wellbeing conduct technology and quality sourcing and climate footprint communities
and advocacy products change

0 1.18 81% 100% Continued and growing
focus
Volume of sales in FY2020:
100% Total energy intensity
(Scope 1 and Scope 2*):
65,672 m3 €32,035
No fines and non- Lost Time Incident Rate employee engagement of relevant employees 57,842m3 of Accoya® and Tricoya® waste water discharged donations (including
monetary sanctions from (LTIR) survey response rate (including Board)
on market research
and future application
made from certified 88kg CO2e for treatment products supplied)
non-compliance with communicated on anti- 2025 production capacity sustainable (FSC® or
research per cubic metre of Accoya®
environmental laws and/or
regulations in FY2020
3.92 78% corruption policies target: PEFC®) wood sources
produced (including 0 179
Total Recordable Incident agree or strongly agree
93% €1.2m 200,000m3 100%
Renewable Energy Credits
(‘RECs’)/carbon offsetting)
zero waste to landfill average monthly number
Rate (TRIR) that they feel proud to of employees for FY2020
dedicated investment in
work at Accsys and are completed training on time
research and development CO2e locked in from
of key materials
55kg CO2e 1,364 tonnes
27 treated with respect
products sold in FY2020:
suppliers* screened using
total waste for recycling 20
100%

environmental criteria per €1000 revenue (including
near misses recorded and new employees added in
€862 54,602.85 RECs/carbon offsetting)
actioned of operations assessed
100% 28 tonnes FY2020
spent on average per for corruption risks (see tonnes gross 54,602,848kg total hazardous waste for
610 FTE on training and more information in Annual of key materials suppliers*
specialist treatment)
safety inductions
development Report and Accounts Risk
Management section)
CO2e displaced / saved
met with, visited or audited
CO2e
(customer sustainability) sequestered in our products
0 vs averaged PVC and 100%
21 incidents of discrimination €0 Aluminium from sales in of new supplier wood
• 944kg CO2e stored per
cubic metre of Accoya®
safety meetings spend on political campaigns, FY2020: mills visited in advance of
• 600kg CO2e trapped per
28% lobbying or think tanks
69,294.72 commercial supply
31 €1000 revenue
risk assessments
of eligible employees
personally invested in 100% tonnes net 70% Total gross emissions for
Accsys through Employee of key materials suppliers of our CO2e cost of of all wood supply mills Arnhem production facility
Share Plan in FY2020 (see note on p30) compliant production visited within three years and London office:
with our Conduct, Anti- • 8,385.75 tCO2e
Employee gender by level:
• Overall: 86% male, 14%
Slavery and Anti-Bribery and
Corruption policies
100%
of operations subject to Emissions offset or retired:
female
human rights reviews or • 3,373.04 tCO2e
• Managers: 82% male, 0 impact assessments ––1,844.52 tCO2e through
18% female
cases or incidents of voluntary offsetting
• Non-executive Board
members: 66% male,
corruption and bribery
0 ––1,528.52 tCO2e saved
incidents of human rights through RECs
33% female
0 violations in our supply chain Note: More data and full notes
regulatory fines, sanctions on GHG emissions in our Annual
Report and Financial Statements * “Key materials suppliers” refers to wood and acetyls suppliers who provide ≥1% of
or settlements that material. The sum of any others comprises less than 2% of our total supply;
2020 (https://www.accsysplc.com/
investors/reports-results/) typically in the case of testing and analysis prior to a commercial relationship.

Overview
About this report Glossary
Bio-cycle Declare KOMO

Sustainability has always been a part of Accsys’ identity, product proposition and purpose. The bio-cycle consists of renewable, recyclable and The Declare Label is a product transparency disclosure The KOMO quality mark is a quality mark for the building
Changing
Each year in our Annual Report and Accounts, and throughout our corporate and product
Changingwood…
compostable materials from which new materials can grow that identifies where a product comes from, what it’s and infrastructure sector.
(also known as the bio-based or biological economy). Bio- made of, and where it goes at the end of its life.
marketing, we have illustrated and reported on sustainability topics in various ways, cycle materials and products are typically biodegradable, LIFE programme
focusing on the areas in which we and our products have the most impact. from renewable, sustainable sources, have low/negative DJSI The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for
CO2 footprints, and result in less energy loss or pollution
wood
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) are a family environmental and climate action.
than technological cycle materials. of indices evaluating the sustainability performance of
thousands of companies trading publicly. MDF
BREEAM
Medium-density fibreboard is a man-made wood that is
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental DUBOkeur free from natural defects.
In 2020, we engaged an expert outside consultancy to help us review and refresh our Assessment Method) was first published by the The DUBOkeur ® label certifies building products with
approach to sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance topics, strategy and Building Research Establishment (BRE) in 1990 and is an environmental and health consideration. PEFC
established method of assessing, rating, and certifying
…to
reporting. This standalone Sustainability Report is one output of that work, and includes:
To change
the sustainability of buildings. The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest
ESG Certification (PEFC) is an international, non-profit, non-
changethe
• Details about Accsys’ approach to • Plans, roadmaps and goals for the future Built environment Environmental, Social and Governance. governmental organisation which promotes sustainable
forest management through independent third-party
sustainability and ESG issues. development and actions relevant to each Human-made environment that provides the setting for FSC certification.
theworld
material issue. human activity, ranging in scale from buildings to cities
• The material issues most relevant to Accsys and beyond. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international
RIBA
world
and its stakeholders, and our process in • Calculations of CO2e sequestration and non-profit organisation established in 1993 that promotes
Carbon-neutral responsible management of the world’s forests. The The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a
identifying them. impacts based off independent research FSC logo on a forest product is an assurance that it is professional body for architects.
papers, established GHG factor data and Carbon neutrality means having a balance between made with, or contains, forest-based materials from
• Our Sustainability Strategy and framework emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the
our products' EPD and environmental FSC-certified forests or reclaimed sources. SASB
addressing those issues, embedding and atmosphere in carbon sinks.
impact assessments (www.accoya.com/ The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
aligning them with our purpose and values. GABC

CDP is a non-profit organisation which develops sustainability
sustainability/environmental-assessment). The Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction. accounting standards.
• Data and performance metrics for the last The CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) is
full financial year: from 1 April 2019 to • While effort has been made to ensure an international non-profit organisation that helps GHG Scope 1 emissions
31 March 2020. In some cases, where noted, all data included in this document is companies and cities disclose their environmental impact.
Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases listed in the Kyoto Direct emissions from reporting company-owned or
reporting may only cover certain major accurate, the report has not been Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention controlled sources.
Circular economy
sites or operations due to unavailability independently verified. on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that contribute to the
A circular economy is an economic system aimed at greenhouse effect. Scope 2 emissions
of data or negligible impact from other • We will continue to update our figures eliminating waste and the continual use and reuse of
resources, focusing on extending useful life, extracting Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy.
sites and activities (such as our London and calculations as standards and Green Label
maximum value and decoupling economic activity from the
or Dallas offices). methodologies evolve. consumption or depletion of finite resources. The Singapore Environment Council (SEC)’s Green Label Scope 3 emissions
was set up to promote environmental awareness in South Indirect emissions (not included in scope 2) that occur in
CO2e East Asia and reward environmentally friendly products the value chain of the reporting company, including both
sold within the region with eco-labels that can only be upstream and downstream emissions.
For more information and to keep up to date about A CO2 equivalent (CO2e) is a unit of measurement that obtained by compliance with the strict eco standards
Accsys’ approach to sustainability and ESG, please see: is used to standardise the climate effects of various specified by the SEC’s scheme.
greenhouse gases. SDGs
GRI The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are
www.accsysplc.com Cradle to Cradle Certified™ a set of universal goals that meet the urgent environmental,
The Global Reporting Initiative is a not-for-profit
Accsys Annual Reports and Accounts Cradle to Cradle Certified™ is a globally recognised organisation that produces one of the world’s most
political and economic challenges facing our world.
measure of safer, more sustainable products made for
www.linkedin.com/company/accsys-technologies the circular economy. Product designers, manufacturers
prevalent standards for sustainability reporting. Sequestration (Carbon sequestration)
www.accoya.com/sustainability and brands around the world rely on the Cradle to Cradle HSE The capture and secure storage of carbon that would
Certified™ Product Standard as a transformative pathway otherwise be emitted to, or remain, in the atmosphere.
www.tricoya.com/sustainability for designing and making products with a positive impact ‘HSE’ stands for Health, Safety and Environmental.
on people and planet. In other documents it can also stand for Health and STEM
Safety Executive, an independent UK regulatory body.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Cradle-to-grave impact assessment
IPCC
A technique that is used to evaluate the environmental and Task Force for Climate Related Financial
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
economic impacts of a product or a process in its lifetime. Disclosures (TCFD)
This differs from ‘cradle-to-gate’ assessments which
only look at the impacts of production, from resource ISO The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
International Organization for Standardization. develops voluntary, consistent climate-related financial risk
extraction or sourcing through to leaving the factory.
disclosures for use by companies. Physical and transitional risks
associated with climate change are considered.

Changing wood
to change the world
Accsys Technologies PLC

Brettenham House
19 Lancaster Place
London
WC2E 7EN
+44 (0)20 7421 4300
Accsys®, Accoya®, Tricoya® and the Trimarque Device are registered trademarks owned by Titan Wood Limited (‘TWL’), a wholly owned subsidiary
of Accsys Technologies PLC, and may not be used or reproduced without written permission from TWL, or in the case of the Tricoya® registered
trademark, from Tricoya Technologies Limited, who have exclusive rights to exploit the Tricoya® brand. © Accsys Technologies PLC 2020
www.accsysplc.com www.accoya.com www.tricoya.com
This report is printed on 100% recycled paper made from post-consumer waste. Both the mill and printer are FSC accredited and follow
ISO 14001 environmental procedures. Our printer is also elemental chlorine free, uses vegetable based inks and is carbon neutral, with BRC
certified storage and distribution.

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Sustainability Report

We are changing wood to change 06

the world, enabling the choice to

build more sustainably

…to change the world

Summary and additional information

We combine chemistry, technology and

Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 www.accsysplc.com 1

…to change the world

54,603 tonnes CO2e

Summary and additional information

2 Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 www.accsysplc.com 3

…to change the world

Summary and additional information

Sales & Manufacturing

Strong organisational capability

wood sourced from certified sustainable forests.

4 Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 www.accsysplc.com 5

…to change the world

U We aim to doing things faster, more efficiently, better, more safely,

fe i t y t he and move quickly and decisively.

Be plant expansion and construction.

Material issues Material issues

afraid to try. We will always learn from the experience.

Respect and value

Summary and additional information

and advocacy and advocacy

customers, partners, suppliers, investors and more.

See p12 for more about our material issues

As a team, we will succeed.

6 Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 www.accsysplc.com 7

…to change the world

Summary and additional information

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Welcome “Sustainability is not just a trend, it is a global

…to change the world

Summary and additional information

Innovation and Society and More information online at: www.accsysplc.com

Through research of global and industry-focused trends,

…to change the world

Summary and additional information

but we are proud to have this integral alignment to our core

…to change the world

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…to change the world

Summary and additional information

14 Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 www.accsysplc.com 15

Project ESG Subject Matter

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Rising in importance for our stakeholders

Summary and additional information

of the desk-based research and stakeholder

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…to change the world

Summary and additional information

18 Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 www.accsysplc.com 19

…to change the world

Summary and additional information

20 Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 www.accsysplc.com 21

…to change the world

Summary and additional information

22 Accsys Technologies PLC — Sustainability Report 2020 www.accsysplc.com 23

…to change the world

Summary and additional information