The prestigious Portafolio Awards are held annually in Colombia to recognize people and companies who have demonstrated exemplary achievements in areas including the environment, customer service, and business and social initiatives. A large group of companies, including some of the world’s leading brands, were gathered at the event along with Columbia President Juan Manuel Santos.

 

 

Alvaro Henao, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Colombia, said that "we are excited and proud to receive this award. It recognizes Smurfit Kappa Group’s commitment to initiatives that help improve the environment and develop the communities in which we operate. At Smurfit Kappa, we believe in sustainability in every fiber and this includes running our plants and mills in a sustainable way and being socially responsible."

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of Smurfit Kappa’s ongoing global sustainability program, with the company investing in the economic and social development of the communities in which it operates. 

"People"’ is one of the five strategic pillars of the company’s commitment to sustainability, along with forest, climate change, water, and waste. Smurfit Kappa engages with and actively supports people in local communities to build a sustainable future. Examples of successful initiatives delivered by the company to date include:

• Schools and education programs in Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Poland, and Venezuela
• Vocational training and work placements in Norway
• Recycling workshops in Spain and the Czech Republic
• Conservation projects to protect the flora and fauna in forests and plantations in Colombia
• Environmental clean-up of local area in Russia.

This latest award follows Smurfit Kappa ranking in the top 1% of Ecovadis’ worldwide sustainability ratings earlier this year.