The seventh Integrated Annual Report of AD Plastik Group has been published, containing all important information about the business in 2023. An integral part of the integrated report are reports on business operations and sustainability, as well as annual financial statements that enable all stakeholders to learn more about the social and environmental aspects important to the company and its business operations.

AD Plastik Group has been reporting on sustainable business since 2012, and in its report, it presents in detail the business and sustainability risks that enable a better understanding of business and the industry as a whole. All key sustainability indicators have been presented, and significant progress has been made in the internal understanding of sustainable business as the only possible path to a successful future. By continuously raising awareness of the importance of sustainable business, results are achieved that generate added value to society, the environment, and the economy. The business results achieved in the observed period have grown, and despite the challenging market environment, the improvement of sustainable business continues in all segments.

„The automotive industry has been undoubtedly and unstoppably changing, and the external influences we have witnessed in recent years have further accelerated the transformation towards connected, sustainable, and safe mobility. After several years of uncertainty, we can finally say that there is a noticeable positive turn in the automotive market. The priority of the automotive industry is to reduce the weight of the vehicle, which is why polymer materials are used more and more. This is an opportunity we recognize to expand our product range and customer portfolio. We are determined in our promise to be leaders in sustainable development and responsible business, and accordingly we will continue to invest efforts and find innovative solutions to realize this. We are ready to take a leading role in the transformation of the industry towards a more sustainable future because we believe that caring for the environment is not only a prerequisite for success, but also a moral obligation of every organ­ization in today’s society,“ said Marinko Došen, President of the Management Board of AD Plastik Group.

In 2023, AD Plastik Group also achieved significantly better financial results than the year before, and the primary reason for this is the increase in customer orders due to normalization in supply chains and purchase of semiconductors and deliveries for new vehicle models. There was a positive impact on capacity utilization, and along with the normalization of energy sources and material prices, it was also evident in the trend of margins and profitability, despite inflationary pressures. „Overall, the report is informative and plentiful with material in­dicators in all three observed areas – economic, environmental, and social. Considering the amount and structure of data that give a clear picture of the effects in the area of sustainability and plans for future goals, it can be an exemplary example of quality reporting on sustainability,“ states the opinion of HR BCSD, which verifies the non-financial part of the company’s report.

At the 15th Conference on Sustainable Development held in Zagreb, HRIO awards were awarded for the sixteenth time in a row, organized by the Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development.

AD Plastik is this year’s winner of the HRIO award in the category of sustainable corporate governance.

I consider sustainable corporate governance extremely important, that is, fundamental for the development of the company’s sustainability as a whole, which is why this award is particularly important to us.

Only through sustainable governance can we contribute to the development of social and ecological aspects of sustainability and achieve their balance, to the satisfaction of all our stakeholders. In this way, we increase transparency, ethics, and responsibility, but above all, we maintain credibility and trust.

All our employees apply high principles of sustainability in their daily work and our success would not be possible without their dedication and effort. And I thank them very much for that.

Awards are always an additional incentive for us, and we believe that we contribute to the creation of positive changes in society and a better future with our example, said the President of the Management Board, Marinko Došen, when accepting the award.

The HRIO methodology evaluates the sustainability of the companies’ business operations in accordance with the latest European directives, global standards, and sustainable development goals, and awards are given to the most successful Croatian companies that apply socially responsible practices.

The challenges of structural and systematic business changes in times when we are faced with the consequences of the climate crisis, which have increasingly significant impacts on business processes, and the responsibilities that businessmen have in creating resilient and green communities, are one of the many topics of this year’s Conference on Sustainable Development.

The Founding Assembly of the Global Compact Network of Croatia was held in the Croatian Employers’ Association. The founders of the Global Compact Network of Croatia association are: Croatian Employers’ Association, Fortenova grupa, AD Plastik d.d., Mazars Cinotti Audit d.o.o., Agrivi d.o.o., Ernst & Young d.o.o., Telemach Hrvatska d.o.o., Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development, Spona Code d.o.o., Hrvatski telekom d.d., INA d.d., Cemex Croatia d.d., Dalekovod d.d., RIT Croatia, Hendal d.o.o.

At the meeting, the Charter of the Global Compact Network of Croatia was adopted, and a decision was made on the establishment and submission of an application for registration of the Association. The Management Committee in its current composition was also confirmed: AD Plastik d.d., Marinko Došen, President of the Management Board; Agrivi d.o.o., Matija Žulj, President of the Management Board; Fortenova grupa, Marina Burazer, Director for ESG and Marketing; Croatian Employers’ Association, Irena Weber, Director General; Mazars Cinotti Audit d.o.o., Vali Marszalek, ESG director for the Adria region; Saponia d.d., Marijana Sabljić, manager of the management system and sustainability team of Saponia.

The UN Global Compact’s local networks, which include Croatia, promote corporate sustainability at the national and regional level, helping companies to understand local opportunities, challenges, and expectations. Subsequently, the Management Committee of the UN Global Compact of Croatia was elected and given a mandate for further management and leadership of the network.

Global Compact Network of Croatia has been active since 2007 and today has 75 members from the business and non-business sectors. After 15 years of activity within other organizations, first UNDP, then HR BCSD, and finally 10 years within the Croatian Employers’ Association, the network met the conditions for independence and continuation of independent activity within the global network of the UN Global Compact. After completing the registration, the Management Committee of the Global Compact Network of Croatia will announce a competition for an executive director so that the association can start all activities from the beginning of 2024.

The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest initiative for sustainable development and corporate sustainability, with nearly 24,000 members in 167 countries and 62 local networks worldwide. As a special initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the UN Global Compact was given the mandate to guide and support the business community around the world in the progress and fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. Member companies and signatories of this Global Agreement are obliged to operate in compliance with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, which take into account the fundamental responsibilities of business in the field of human rights, labor, the environment, and the fight against corruption, and which are based on internationally accepted UN declarations and conventions, and thus act as a normative authority for responsible business. By incorporating the Ten Principles into strategies, policies, and procedures, and by establishing a culture of integrity, companies not only support their core responsibilities to people and the planet but also ensure long-term business success. Companies that respect the Principles of the UN Global Compact have a better position in the international business environment and the possibility of recognizing potential comparative advantages and developing their competitiveness.

As part of the 14th Conference on Sustainable Development, the Croatian Sustainability Index awards were awarded for the fifteenth time. AD Plastik is the winner of the HRIO award in the field of children’s rights, and the award was accepted on behalf of the company by Zlatko Bogadi, a member of the Management Board for Production, Logistics and Quality.

“Respecting children’s rights, as well as human rights in general, is the basic premise of a sustainable future and each of us, from our position and in accordance with our capabilities, should contribute to their protection as much as possible. Every child on this planet, without exception, has the right to develop and realize its potential, and by caring for children we all contribute to a better future. AD Plastik Group invests great efforts in the constant improvement of all aspects of sustainable business, and this is an unquestionable part of our mission and business strategy. I thank you for the award, which is an additional incentive for us to be better and realize numerous possibilities and improvements in the future,” said Zlatko Bogadi while accepting the award.

The Croatian Sustainability Index (HRIO) is a methodology that provides a comprehensive insight into the sustainability of business practices, a review of compliance with the latest provisions of the European Union, as well as a comparison with the practices of other Croatian companies. More than a hundred companies take part in the annual assessment, which has been carried out for the fifteenth year in a row (previously known as the CSR Index).

Congratulations to all winners!

The HRIO awards, given for the fourteenth year in a row by the Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development (HR BCSD) and the Croatian Chamber of Economy, were solemnly presented at the annual Sustainable Development Conference. AD Plastik is the winner of the HRIO award in the category of large companies, which was accepted on behalf of the company by the President of the Management Board Marinko Došen.

“Sustainable business nowadays is the responsibility of every company, regardless of business operations, size, or geographic affiliation. It is our duty to live in harmony with our environment and preserve this planet for future generations. We are happy that our efforts and progress have been recognized by the professional public and although sustainable business is an integral part of our corporate culture, we are aware that we are at the very beginning. Sustainable business is an ongoing process that we must live every day and it must be woven into all segments of the business. It is the only way to succeed and survive in the modern market. Each award is a pleasure for us and in a way a confirmation of successful work, but above all, it is an additional obligation and motivation for an even better future,” said Marinko Došen, President of the Management Board of AD Plastik.

The Croatian Sustainability Index (HRIO) is a methodology that provides a comprehensive insight into the sustainability of business practices, compliance with the latest provisions of the European Union, and comparison with the practices of other Croatian companies. Activities in six areas are evaluated, and this rating measures the level of sustainability of companies in Croatia. The awards are given once a year, and more than a hundred companies participate in the evaluation. It is a practice by which a company integrates sustainable development into the decision-making system to a greater extent than prescribed by legislation and thus manages the impact of its business on the environment and society. In order to be in line with the latest European directives and standards, global ratings, and Sustainable Development Goals, the former CSR Index has been upgraded and modernized and changed its name to the Croatian Sustainability Index – HRIO.

As part of the sixteenth Convention of Croatian Exporters, the Golden Key awards ceremony for the best Croatian exporters was held. This year too AD Plastik received the Golden Key award in the category The Best Exporter to Slovenia in 2020, and was nominated in two other categories, namely in the category The Best Exporter to Romania and in the category The Most Innovative Exporter.

The award was received on behalf of the company by the Finance Director Josip Divić, who stated on that occasion: “It is a great pleasure and honor for me to receive this award, especially because it is awarded for our results in quite difficult times. This award is the result of teamwork and that is why I thank first and foremost all the employees of our company for their dedication and contribution in these challenging circumstances. I would also like to thank our long-term partner, the company Revoz, which recognizes our values, quality and reliability. Although we are witnessing numerous challenges in the market, we are optimistic about the years ahead and we expect the continuation of our strong exports to Slovenia, but also an increase in exports to other European countries.”

As of today, AD Plastik is a proud holder of the “Health Friendly Company” certificate awarded by the Ministry of Health and the Croatian Institute of Public Health within the National Programme “Healthy Living“.

Dinka Nakić, Head of the Department for Coordination of Activities for the Promotion and Preservation of Lifelong Health of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, presented the certificate to the Executive Director of Human Resources and Business Organization of AD Plastik Group, Mira Pavić. “The safety and health of employees have always been the highest priority of our company, and this was especially evident during the pandemic. We focus our internal activities on promoting a healthy business environment and adopting healthy habits in general. It is an added value for our employees, but also for the company as a whole. Satisfied and happy employees are our ultimate goal,” said Mira Pavić.

The “Health Friendly Company” is part of the Health and Workplace component within the Programme “Healthy Living”, and is aimed at employees and the promotion of healthy life habits as well as the improvement of health in the workplace. The assessment of the working environment within companies is carried out by the Croatian Institute of Public Health in seven key areas: nutrition, promotion of physical activity, protection of employee health in the workplace, smoking ban, ban on alcohol consumption, environmental regulation and employee health protection.

The label “Health Friendly Company” is held by the companies that recognize healthy values and care about improving the health of their employees, and AD Plastik is officially among them as of today. The certificate is awarded for two years, and before its renewal, the condition is re-evaluated.

AD Plastik Group received the CSR Index award in the category of Social Responsibility Policies of Diversity and Human Rights Protection, and the award was received on behalf of the company by Ivan Čupić, a member of the Management Board for Production, Logistics and Quality.

“Human rights protection, diversity and equal opportunities policy are part of the corporate culture we live every day. Fair business, safe working conditions, education and respect for human values are just some of the values that we continuously promote within the company. When this is recognized by the professional public, then it is an additional incentive for us to continue to be even better,” said Čupić, thanking for the award.

AD Plastik Group continuously promotes diversity, non-discrimination and inclusiveness in the workplace and is among the first companies in Croatia to sign the Diversity Charter.

The CSR Index awards were presented for the thirteenth time as part of the annual Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility held in Zagreb, organized by the Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development (HR PSOR) and the main partner of the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK). This year, the awards for the best achievements in corporate social responsibility were awarded in nine categories, and more than a hundred registered companies competed. The CSR Index is a method of assessing corporate social responsibility in Croatia based on a ranking system that enables an objective assessment of corporate social responsibility practices and comparison with the practices of others.

The conference was opened with a panel discussion “European Green Plan: Croatia’s readiness to achieve goals”, which brought together leading experts in corporate social responsibility and sustainability, corporate managers and organizational leaders.

It will certainly take some more time for the handshake to become the usual way of greeting again, but business operations need to be continued regardless of the circumstances. We will soon return to our workplaces and be in close proximity to our colleagues which is a great challenge in the time of the pandemic. With the joint efforts, we need to provide an environment where every employee will feel safe and comfortable.

AD Plastik Group has been intensely preparing to restart production at its factories, while taking primarily care of protecting the health of employees. Accordingly, we have prepared the ADP COVID-19 Protocol and a full set of instructions with detailed guidelines for the behavior and operation in new circumstances caused by the spread of coronavirus.

Implementing the prescribed measures requires adjusting workplaces and familiar work practices, but changes in familiar habits have become a necessity in life and business, at least for the foreseeable future.

Employee health and safety are at the forefront of our priorities, and by publishing this document we want to give all our stakeholders an insight into the measures we have been implementing.

The Faculty of Economics in Split held a conference Business Sector for Climate-neutral Europe – How to Meet the Ambition with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Green Plan. The conference was organized by the UN Global Compact Network Croatia, the Faculty of Economics in Split, the European Documentation Center, the Croatian Employers’ Association and the European Economic and Social Committee. Apart from delegation of the European Economic and Social Committee, representatives of the business sector, state institutions and civil society, as well as invited experts in the field of climate change and sustainable development also gathered, and Tomislav Ćorić, Minister of Environment and Energy, participated in the introductory part.

As part of the conference, a panel “How does the business sector integrate sustainability goals into its operations” was held, where Marinko Došen, President of the Management Board of AD Plastik Group, described the company’s position in the market. “In order to function in the automotive industry, we must be qualified. We can only be that if we meet certain standards. The automotive industry has trends and fashion. Three basic trends are represented: safety, vehicle weight reduction and environmental impact. Vehicle weight reduction has an impact on reducing consumption, and a lot of attention is paid to the impact of materials on the environment. We have been constantly investing in the development of materials and the use of the best available technology regarding the construction of our plants and the management of work processes. In terms of materials research and development, the trend is to work with materials with less weight and better properties. We have pilot plants where we perform testing and research. Thanks to this approach, we achieve targeted savings of between 15 and 20 percent compared to conventional materials. We have strategically decided to apply the best available technologies when investing over HRK 200 million in two state-of-the-art robotic painting lines. Taking care of the environmental aspect, we have also built a small plant for waste gas treatment that is generated in the production process. In this way, we have greatly contributed to reducing the negative impact on the environment. All those our activities are covered in an important part of our strategy related to corporate social responsibility,” said Marinko Došen.