Asia Symbol Sustainability Report 2025: Anchoring Progress, Deepening Commitment

DDSAsia Symbol has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, Anchoring Progress, Deepening Commitment, documenting the company's measurable advances across environmental stewardship, responsible governance, quality innovation, and community development at its pulp and paper operations in China.

Covering the year from 1 January to 31 December 2025, this report - Asia Symbol’s ninth - tracks performance across five strategic dimensions: corporate integrity and governance, green development, quality and innovation, people and workplace safety, and harmonious community coexistence. These are anchored in the Asia Symbol 2030 sustainability goals, structured around four pillars: Circular Growth, Low-Carbon Growth, Inclusive Growth, and Synergistic Growth.

Highlights from the Asia Symbol 2025 Sustainability Report include:

Green Development & Climate Action

• GHG emissions: 0.43 tCO₂e per ton of products - a 10.74% decrease from the baseline year
• Renewable and clean energy share in energy structure reached 60%
• Water consumption: 9.12 cubic metres per ton of products - a 35.26% decrease from baseline
• Water reuse rate reached 26%
• Air pollutant emissions: 0.27 kg per ton of products - a 65.68% decrease from baseline
• Asia Symbol (Guangdong) and Asia Symbol (Jiangsu) achieved zero solid waste to landfill

Responsible Sourcing & Supply Chain

• 35% of chips and pulp purchased by Asia Symbol hold FSC, PEFC, or CFCC certifications and due diligence compliance
• 100% of key suppliers reviewed against systematic risk assessment practices

People & Safety

• Lost-time injury frequency of 24 - surpassing the target of below 0.5
• 100% coverage of Individual Development Plans for core employees across all subsidiaries
• Female management personnel proportion reached 84%
• Average volunteer time of 2 hours per employee

Community & Social Impact

• 15,942 students supported through education projects in 2025; 114,143 students supported from 2017 to 2025
• Community projects benefited 62,993 residents in surrounding areas in 2025; 745,771 residents benefited from 2017 to 2025

Innovation & Product Leadership

• Successfully developed carbon-neutral and Net-Zero ivory paperboard, achieving SGS-certified PROTETTA® status with zero wastewater discharge
• PaperOne® awarded the “2025 Zero Carbon Pioneer Brand Award” at the International Green Zero-Carbon Festival and ESG Leadership Summit
• Named a “2025 Smart Factory of Shandong Province” by the Department of Industry and Information Technology

Governance & Recognition

• Joined the United Nations Global Compact in 2025, committing to its Ten Principles across human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption
• Recognised as one of China’s “Top 50 Dual Carbon Action Force” enterprises in 2025
• Awarded “2025 Model Enterprise for ESG” and “2025 Industry-Leading Brand” (Asia Symbol Guangdong)
• Report independently verified by TÜV SÜD Certification and Testing (China) Co., Ltd.

2025 marked a pivotal year for the global paper and pulp sector, shaped by deepening climate policy, stricter environmental standards, and rising customer demand for traceable, low-carbon products. Asia Symbol responded by embedding sustainability into every layer of the business - from strategic decision-making and executive compensation to supply chain oversight and daily operations. The year also saw Asia Symbol revise its 2030 goals to ensure they remain ambitious, forward-looking, and aligned with international standards, including the UN Global Compact principles, which Asia Symbol joined in 2025.

“2025 was a critical year for Asia Symbol to anchor its sustainable development strategy, unite efforts, and deepen practice. We consistently place sustainability at the core, actively fulfil our responsibilities toward the environment and society, collaborate with partners to create and share value, and are committed to generating long-term value for society.”

— Allen Zhang, President for Fiber Business of Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) China

Download the 2025 Sustainability Report (PDF)

This sustainability report is prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Standard (2021) and with reference to IFRS S1 and S2, the SASB Standards for Pulp & Paper Products, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Data has been independently verified by TÜV SÜD Certification and Testing (China) Co., Ltd.

Download the 2025 Sustainability Report (PDF)