PolyVision is developing a future-proof sustainability strategy

Preparing an American Multinational for European Sustainability Expectations

PolyVision Belgium is a key production hub within an American multinational group. While the US is still navigating the development of clear sustainability frameworks, European regulations are evolving at a rapid pace. This creates uncertainty: which issues should be prioritised? How can European expectations be translated into a context that is less familiar to the US headquarters? And how can the organisation prepare for future reporting requirements without creating unnecessary complexity or costs?

At the same time, several sustainability initiatives were already underway within the company. However, these efforts lacked an overarching strategy, clear governance structure and measurable objectives. The result was a risk of fragmented actions, limited strategic direction and a sustainability profile that lagged behind European competitors.

A Clear Strategic Compass

We guided PolyVision through a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy process, specifically designed for organisations seeking a forward-looking approach without becoming burdened by excessive reporting requirements.

We started by mapping existing initiatives, stakeholder expectations and sustainability-related risks. Through stakeholder interviews, materiality assessments and an in-depth risk and opportunity analysis, we developed a clear understanding of the topics that matter most to PolyVision.

Together, we defined strategic sustainability priorities and translated these into a concrete value creation model, supported by clear governance structures, processes and KPIs aligned with the VSME standard. Finally, we developed a digital and customisable sustainability report, tailored for organisations outside the scope of CSRD, that bridges the gap between European transparency expectations and the culture of the US headquarters.

The result was a single, clear and scalable framework that supports sustainable decision-making across the organisation, without creating unnecessary administrative burdens.

Direction, Buy-in and a Stronger Market Position

The implementation of the sustainability strategy provided PolyVision with what had previously been missing: clarity, alignment and a solid foundation for future growth. The organisation now has a clear understanding of the sustainability themes that present the greatest risks and opportunities, as well as the initiatives that deliver the highest value for both stakeholders and the business.

The collaboration delivered tangible results:

• 100% clarity on priorities, supported by clearly defined focus areas and a strategic action plan.
• Reduced internal complexity, thanks to well-defined governance structures, roles and processes.
• Faster decision-making, enabled by a shared framework that replaced isolated ideas and ad hoc initiatives.
• Up to 70% lower reporting costs, through a digital and self-managed sustainability reporting approach.
• Stronger positioning towards the US headquarters, supported by a clear business case for European sustainability requirements and their strategic implications.