PGI is underway with an initiative to strengthen its corporate sustainability program with focused and expanded ef­forts in this area led by the company’s first chief sustainability officer (CSO). John Heironimus, chief marketing officer for the company, has been appointed to the newly created position of CSO. Mr. Heironimus has been with PGI for two years, following an extensive career in various marketing and development roles with consumer products companies and continues to serve in his current marketing position.

Mr. Heironimus will lead the company’s increased efforts in sustainability that will include public measurements of the impact its products and operations have on the environment as well as its social responsibility efforts. The company will begin publicly reporting such areas as energy and water usage as well as carbon emissions by issuing a global score card and tracking its progress on its website.

According to the company, its expanded sustainability program demonstrates PGI’s leadership as a nonwovens producer in this important area and shows its commitment to partnering with its key customers and suppliers on these crucial initiatives to better the environment and world.

“We are committed to achieving leadership in sustainability in our industry,” commented Ronee Hagen, PGI’s CEO. “The world’s leading companies have em­braced the sustainability challenge as a core operating principle and PGI will be no exception as a leading global nonwovens company.”

“In a world of shrinking resources and mounting environmental concerns, the ex­pectations of all our stakeholders are changing,” said Mr. Heironimus. “Our corporate commitment to sustainability is both the ethical and prudent thing to do. Through our expanded efforts in this area, we will deliver superior total value for all internal and external stakeholders and help shape our industry to make a better tomorrow.”