Celebrating Platinum EcoVadis Award Success
Over several years, Morris Lubricants has been developing an action plan in a continued effort to become more sustainable and cement the company’s commitment to minimising its impact on the environment.
By taking a group-wide approach and focusing on the various criteria set by EcoVadis, Paterson Enterprises, Morris Lubricants’ parent company were proud to announce that it had achieved the Platinum award rating for 2024 for operations around the Morris Lubricants' site in Shrewsbury. This put the company in the elite top one per cent of businesses that are evaluated from the industry worldwide.
After achieving this highest accolade, the company has continued working hard to retain this platinum award for 2025.
Morris Lubricants and its parent company Paterson Enterprises Ltd, were awarded the platinum EcoVadis medal for sustainable performance, placing the business in the top one per cent of companies globally. Due to the nature of the company structure, the award is listed under Paterson Enterprises Ltd (Shrewsbury Site). The award is in recognition of activities and initiatives that took place throughout 2024.
EcoVadis assesses over 130,000 companies globally on an annual basis and this award recognises companies for their sustainable practices and their relationships with trading partners. Only 35 per cent of companies assessed by EcoVadis, achieve an award, with platinum ranking as the highest accolade possible. The assessment criteria covers four sustainability pillars: the environment, ethics, labour and human rights and sustainable procurement.
The detailed sustainability action plan is a long-term commitment. The EcoVadis journey started with the bronze award in 2022, the silver in 2023 and in 2024 saw the huge leap to achieve the platinum award.
Andrew Goddard, Morris Lubricants’ Executive Chairman, said: "The lubricants industry must be seen as part of the solution and not part of the problem as the world evolves to a greener, more sustainable future."
"We therefore have a strong emphasis throughout the company on continuous improvement, so that Morris Lubricants progresses with its achievements year on year. The platinum award is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the whole team and our wider supply chain partners. I couldn't be prouder!"
Morris Lubricants employs principles of innovation and evolution throughout its supply, manufacturing and distribution base to ensure it minimises its environmental impact.
There are several actions the company is performing to reduce these emissions. A field trial to evaluate switching to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in the company’s fleet as a fuel alternative was performed. After successful completion of the trial, the company is now implementing HVO into its operations strategy which will see a reduction in fleet emissions.
Morris Lubricants has also been making significant strides in using renewable energy at its Shrewsbury manufacturing facility. 31 per cent of the electricity used is generated on site from solar panels, and the remainder, the company purchases zero carbon energy from its electricity supplier. Heat, and the associated energy required in the production and blending processes has been another area of focus for the business. Thanks to recent investment in ultrasonic
blending technology, which reduces the need for heat during blending, and the replacement of the condensate pump in the boiler house, the percentage of water used by the boilers has dropped from 40 per cent of the total volume in 2021-22 to just nine per cent.
Recycling has also been taken into consideration when considering the company’s product packaging. Morris Lubricants is one of the few lubricants manufacturers that continues to produce a large quantity of its products in metal containers, which can be recycled. The company’s striking yellow and blue 20 litre and 25 litre steel drums as well as 5 litre containers are made from tin and the 205 litre steel barrels make sure that Morris Lubricants’ products are instantly recognisable to customers as a sign of quality.
Where metal is not being used the company has also added a range of packaging that includes 35 per cent recycled plastic. The business also scored highly for its social sustainability commitments related to labour and human rights and ethics, with highlights including its skills development plans, including apprenticeship schemes, graduate programmes and accredited CPD (Continuing Professional Development) initiatives.
Andrew Goddard concluded: " We work in an industry that does not stand still. It constantly faces new and significant challenges to its products, customers and markets, but we remain committed to improving our sustainability credentials in this changing marketplace."
Caroline Walton, Regulatory Affairs Manager has completed a full sustainability report for Paterson Enterprises Ltd including Morris Lubricants.
To download a copy please visit the Paterson Enterprises website: patersonenterprises.co.uk
