By valorising these by product streams, Trobas is by nature part of the circular economy, which already gives its activities an intrinsically sustainable character. Direct efficiency improvements in its energy and water intensive production process also lead to lower costs and reduced environmental impact.
At the same time, market developments require more than intrinsic motivation alone. As the expected Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive approached and customers, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, explicitly requested insight into Scope 3 emissions and SBTi aligned targets, it became clear that a formalised system was needed.
Ton Dirks, Director of Operations and Development at Trobas, noted that the existing management system, although built according to ISO standards, was not sufficient to address these broader strategic requirements. Ton advocates broadening the traditional definition of QA and instead speaking of a general management system that integrates all disciplines in a modular way, from quality, environment, and safety to IT and sustainability.
Trobas engaged Mérieux NutriSciences | Expert Partners to realise this strategic broadening. As a strategic partner bringing wisdom and strategic insight, Mérieux NutriSciences | Expert Partners started by laying the foundation.
Ton Dirks emphasises that the collaboration with Mérieux NutriSciences | Expert Partners was highly valued because of its pragmatic approach and flexibility. Mérieux NutriSciences | Expert Partners provided the methodology and context, while Trobas delivered the in depth input. Rather than building one large and all encompassing system at once, the focus was placed on the most relevant steps.
The result is that, although the CSRD deadline has been postponed, Trobas is already CSRD ready. The greatest gain lies in the coherence that has been created. Existing sustainability efforts, such as EcoVadis and Sedex audits, are now connected and integrated into the management system. Fragmentation has been replaced by a coherent structure, creating a stronger foundation for future legal requirements and customer expectations.
The next step is the complex accounting of Scope 3 emissions, a new field that requires a solid and consistent methodology. Ton Dirks’ advice to other QA managers who want to take this on is clear: start step by step and stay focused. The QA department is the most logical place for this, because it already has the structured way of working needed to safeguard the broader quality of the organisation.
Mérieux NutriSciences | Expert Partners continues to guide Trobas by combining expertise with decisive action, helping the company not only meet today’s requirements, but also become a resilient and future ready organisation.
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