In March, companies around the world celebrate B Corp Month. During this global campaign, organizations show how business can go with caring for people, the environment, and society. It’s a moment to talk about what you stand for and to demonstrate how those values are put into practice. B Corp Month is all about showing how companies continue to work towards social and environmental progress.
For Emerald, this month is a great opportunity to reflect on an important question:
What does B Corp certification actually mean?
The certification is a major milestone that we are incredibly proud of. Since June 2025, we have officially been a Certified B Corporation. But for us, B Corp certification is much more than a logo or a title. It is a confirmation of how we want to do business: consciously, responsibly, and with a long-term perspective.
That’s why we use B Corp Month to show what we have achieved, but also how this way of doing business comes to life in our everyday work. For us, B Corp certification is about much more than the symbol itself. It’s about the choices we make, the way we work, the people around us, and our commitment to keep improving. That also fits with the 2026 campaign message of B Corp. The B symbol may look simple, but it stands for something much bigger.
B Corp certification as part of how we operate
At Emerald, we do not see B Corp certification as a sustainability project that exists alongside our business. It is part of how we operate and is embedded in the choices we make every day.
It starts with how we look at our company. Responsible business is not a separate topic or a temporary focus for us, it’s simply the way we work. From the way we built our headquarters to the way we collaborate with partners and invest in our people. Impact is an integral part of our organization.
You can also see this in the broader sustainability journey we have been on for several years. In our green roadmap, we explain how we work from four key pillars:
An energy-neutral headquarters
One of the most visible examples of this approach is our energy-neutral headquarters in Eindhoven. In 2023, we opened the doors to this energy-neutral building. The facility includes 288 solar panels, a thermal energy storage system, LED lighting, and energy-efficient climate systems. In addition, we only electric vehicles in our warehouse, and nearly 85% of our waste is recycled by one of our partners.
This makes our headquarters more than just a workplace. For us, it demonstrates that sustainability does not have to live only in policies or reports. It can be embedded in the way a company is designed and operated every day.
Vitality and connection within our team
A sustainable organization does not start with buildings, but with the people who work in them. That’s why vitality and connection are important to us.
Sharing lunch together every day is the standard at Emerald. It may seem like a small thing, but these daily moments contribute to a strong company culture, short communication lines, and genuine involvement between colleagues.
In addition, we support the health of our team through a company fitness program and a cycling plan, making healthy and sustainable choices more accessible for our colleagues.
For us, this is an essential part of what B Corp certification means: taking responsibility not only for our external impact, but also for the wellbeing of the people within our organization.
Growth and development
Responsible business also means investing in the people we work with. That is why we prioritize personal growth and development.
Training, guidance, and helping employees find the right role within the organization all play an important part in our approach. By supporting our team members in developing their skills and discovering their strengths, we create an environment where people and the company can grow sustainably.
Working with partners who share our values
Our way of doing business does not stop at our own organization. We consciously choose to work with partners who care just as much about people and the environment as we do.
For several years, we have been working to make our supply chain more sustainable. By collaborating with organizations that share our vision, we can increase our impact and build a more responsible supply chain together. Emerald is also a member of Amfori, an international organization that promotes open and sustainable trade.
We are also actively working to reduce our CO₂ footprint in logistics. Together with our partners, we focus on improving transport planning and efficiency. In 2025, our CO₂ footprint was recalculated, after which the remaining emissions were offset.
In summary: What does B Corp certification mean for Emerald?
To summerise, B Corp certification means that we do business with responsibility. It means looking beyond financial results and continuously seeking ways to create positive impact in our daily work.
From the way we power our headquarters to the way we invest in the development of our employees, every decision within Emerald is an opportunity to contribute to a better community. It reminds us that business as usual should mean taking care of people and the planet just as much as we focus on economic results.
For Emerald, this means we will keep searching for ways to improve our operations and increase our impact. B Corp certification is therefore not an endpoint, but the next step in a longer journey.
Making the world a more colourful place together
We are proud to be part of a global movement that places purpose alongside profit. Not because it sounds good, but because we believe it is the only way to create real value in the long term.
By doing business consciously, collaborating with partners who share our values, and investing in our people, we try to make a small difference every day. And while we continue building towards a more sustainable future, we hope to make the world a more colourful, step by step.
