Royal Smit & Zoon presents ambitious new Sustainability Strategy for 2030

Today, Royal Smit & Zoon, a recognized sustainability leader in the leather industry, launched ‘Drops of Difference’, its’ new Sustainability Strategy for 2030. Aiming for transparency, accountability and delivering meaningful impact, the Sustainability Strategy 2030 lays out a clear and structured plan to guide the company in fulfilling our mission of ‘creating a sustainable leather value chain, together’.

Guiding ESG efforts towards 2030
Drops of Difference builds on the solid foundation of the company’s ESG Roadmap 2025, reinforcing Royal Smit & Zoon’s commitment to embedding sustainability at the heart of its business. Structured around four key pillars: Society, Solutions, Operations, and People, this strategy outlines the next step in the company’s journey to accelerate positive transformation across the leather industry.

The strategy was developed based on thorough stakeholder engagement and is aligned with international standards. Moreover, it contributes to global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With 14 clearly defined goals for 2030, it focuses on driving industry transformation, delivering sustainable solutions, and leveraging Royal Smit & Zoon’s role as a world-class manufacturer, responsible business partner, and employer of choice.

CEO Marc Smit: “This strategy is not just about meeting targets, it’s about translating our legacy of responsibility and forward thinking into transformative action across the entire leather value chain. Drops of Difference provides a focused and actionable plan, helping us realize our mission of creating a sustainable leather value chain, together. Our Sustainability Strategy 2030 responds to the urgency of global challenges such as climate change, focuses our efforts where we can make the biggest impact, and turns ambitions into meaningful progress.”

Integration in day-to-day work
The Drops of Difference Sustainability Strategy 2030 will be integrated into business decision-making at all levels and is supported by clear metrics, performance tracking and annual transparent reporting.

Global ESG Director Aukje Berden: “Drops of Difference is the result of extensive collaboration across our teams, partners, and stakeholders. It’s designed not just to meet global expectations but to lead with impact. Each of the 14 goals in our 2030 strategy is backed by clear metrics and accountability, ensuring transparency in how we measure and report our progress. This is a strategy built for action across the full breadth of our organization. This way, we are embedding sustainability into daily decision-making and driving systemic change throughout the leather industry.”

With the launch of Drops of Difference, Royal Smit & Zoon confirms its leadership role in creating a more sustainable leather value chain, and invites its customers, partners and other stakeholders to join in shaping it together.
Drops of Difference can be found below:

Drops of Difference (CN)

Drops of Difference (EN)

Drops of Difference (ES)

Drops of Difference (IT)

Drops of Difference (NL)

Drops of Difference (PT)