Sustainability Report 2016 / 2017

Cooperation Cooperation and Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) The presentation of the ECR Award shows how impor­ tant cooperation and knowledge transfer are in the de- velopment of innovative ideas. Every year the ECR award honors ideas and innovations from companies that collaborate with partners to de- velop products or processes distinguished by their fo- cus on sustainability and strong customer orientation. In September 2014 the Recyclate Initiative received the ECR Award for outstanding collaborative work along the entire supply chain. Beyond Industry Borders Earning the ECR Award validated once again our culture of “open innovation”. Werner & Mertz champions the cause of sharing ideas beyond the borders of the company and its industry. We want everyone to know about innovative, sustainable solutions! The goal of our Initiative is to develop our ideas in ecological, business and political terms. To that end, many of our employees are actively engaged in industry associations, work groups and committees and political organizations. Kooperationen und Öffentlichkeit 86