Samsonite International, one of the world’s leading companies in luggage manufacturing and retail, has announced a new range of ambitious sustainability commitments that further the company’s comprehensive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. Among some of the latest undertakings, the company has committed 100% operation reliance on renewable electricity and to significantly raise recourse to recycled materials in order to cut scope 3 emissions. The targets align with the criteria of the SBTi, which is the establishment of standards that guide companies on greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts to mitigate climate change from science perspectives. Samsonite submitted its targets to SBTi for formal validation all the way back in October, which again reinforces the company’s commitment to taking climate action.
The new targets have been outlined as part of a press release on Monday with an aim to limit Samsonite’s environmental footprint across its entire supply chain, accounting for more than 95% of the company’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The company intends to target scope 3 emissions reduction of 52% by the year 2030, starting with a baseline of 2022. Such targets include purchased goods and services that make up nearly 80% of overall footprint. In this regard, Samsonite intends to increase the recycled content of plastics, aluminum, and other materials used in manufacturing products.
We’re working with our suppliers to really drive up the use of recycled, lower-carbon materials while maintaining our long-time commitment to durability, said Kyle Gendreau, president and CEO of Samsonite, in the release issued Nov. 4. The company will help in reducing the overall carbon footprint and will further the goal of being totally carbon neutral within 2025 in all its operations, incorporated in the broader ESG strategy.
Indeed, the company has made huge progress regarding sustainable practices. Samsonite has transitioned 100% of its operations to renewable electricity, two years ahead of its target date of 2025, according to its most recent ESG report. The company’s committed shift reduced scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 85% compared to 2017. To maintain its commitment to renewable energy, Samsonite plans to continue using renewable energy in all retail, manufacturing, and distribution facilities, as well as corporate offices. The company will be complying with its renewable energy targets through onsite generation of solar power, participating in green power programs, and buying RECs and EACs.
The efforts of Samsonite in reducing its emissions are supported by its newly designed “GHG emissions reduction roadmaps” that describe different steps the company will be taking to meet its 2030 goals. This includes using more recycled materials in its products, which has already done: 34% of Samsonite’s net sales in 2023 were attained by products partly developed from recycled materials; up from 23% in 2022. The achievement has underpinned the company’s commitment to expanding its portfolio of products and aligning its product lines with its sustainability goals.
This far goes the specific sustainability targets under its core brand Samsonite, but the company promises to extend this support to other brands within its portfolio, including Tumi, American Tourister, Lipault, and Hartmann. By applying science-based targets across all of its brands, Samsonite aims to take the lead in the travel goods industry in terms of responsible production and consumption.
Strengthening of Samsonite’s ESG strategy along with commitment to the SBTi framework puts it on a long list of companies tying their operations to climate science in pursuit of meaningful emissions reductions. A clear roadmap and a strong, supportive supplier base enables this company to get set for some steps towards reduction in carbon footprint towards a global low-carbon economy. These actions further emphasize how Samsonite establishes and tightens its leadership position in sustainable manufacturing and retail through durability, innovation, and responsibility to the environment.