Fighting malaria sustainably and effectively: B Corp certified approach
Vestergaard, a pioneer in material science innovation, partnered with dss+ to enhance sustainability efforts and align with rigorous B Corp standards. Through this collaboration, Vestergaard achieved significant improvements in its operations and environmental impact, reinforcing its commitment to creating lasting positive change.
Context
In 2023, there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths globally. Vestergaard, a social enterprise innovating in material science, is a leader in production of insecticide-treated bed nets to fight the disease. The company first achieved B Corp certification in 2021. Since then, they have been working to deepen their commitment to sustainability and create a positive impact across the value chain.
Challenge
With the B Corp standards becoming increasingly rigorous over time, the minimum threshold for certification, the level of scrutiny, and the data requirements have increased substantially. Through multiple initiatives, Vestergaard aimed to significantly improve its original B Corp score.
Solution
Building on the foundation laid during their initial B Corp certification, dss+ worked closely with Vestergaard to improve key aspects of their supply chain and their impact on customers, employees, and the environment, to support recertification in 2024. Through this work, Vestergaard achieved a remarkable 22% increase in their B Impact Assessment (BIA) score, reflecting the company’s commitment to continuous improvement across all pillars of the B Corp framework.
“The dss+ team have been instrumental in helping us to optimise our operations, delivering sustainable and effective solutions that support our work to combat malaria and save lives.”
Nicolas Schornoz, Chief Financial & Operating Officer, Vestergaard
Assignment
Support Vestergaard’s 2024 recertification and prepare the company for the forthcoming evolution of the B Corp standards.
Offering
- Support across B Corp recertification
- Sustainability strategy
- Carbon accounting
- Materiality assessments
- Cleaner production assessment
- Product end-of-life management
Impact
- 22% overall increase of BIA score from 107.7 to 131.6, demonstrating dedication to all aspects of operations and stakeholders
- 59% increase in customer reach reflects a strong commitment to supporting underserved groups
- Exceeding the benchmark of 80 points required for B Corp certification across all pillars of the BIA