Social Sustainability

Sustainable success through responsibility

Our long-term success stems from balancing environmental responsibility, economic performance, and social action. By consistently integrating these three dimensions, we create the foundation for sustainable innovations and long-term value – for our company, our customers, and society.

Social sustainability and corporate responsibility are firmly anchored in our corporate strategy. In recent years, we have systematically developed our social commitment and created a holistic approach with our Global Social Sustainability Program that goes far beyond individual projects. Our goal is clear: to position tesa as the leading employer of choice by promoting diversity, taking on social responsibility, and transparently reporting on our progress. We are convinced that companies with diverse leadership teams are not only more innovative, but also more resilient and future-ready.

Our Global Social Sustainability Program follows a three-pronged approach of diverse perspectives, social responsibility, and transparent governance. Through transparency, we connect these priorities into effective structures with lasting social value, for example in strategically aligned employee community engagement.

Partnership with Save the Children: education that makes a global impact

tesa and Save the Children have been partnering in Germany since 2020. With a total donation of around €3 million euros, we have to date supported more than 17 projects for children and families in need worldwide. From Germany to Vietnam and Türkiye to Latin America –we are working to enable children to access education and a chance for a better future everywhere.

In Germany, we support the digital education of children who are at a disadvantage in the education system. In Vietnam, we promote climate education to strengthen young people's resilience. In Türkiye, we develop multilingual education programs on climate awareness and emergency preparedness. And in Latin America, we enable children to access education even in crises through rapid response instruments.

As a reliable partner, we were also there in acute crisis situations – whether after the devastating 2023 earthquake in Türkiye and Syria or in supporting refugees from Ukraine.

Local commitment worldwide – from employees for their regions

Global reach with local relevance: tesa feels connected to the countries and regions where we are active with our locations and production facilities. That's why every tesa location is locally committed to projects that truly make a difference on the ground – whether in education, environmental protection, or social and humanitarian concerns.

To achieve lasting impact, our regions rely on long-term partnerships rather than one-off initiatives. Each location selects projects that align with local needs and our focus areas. It's not just about financial support: We encourage our employees worldwide to get actively involved – through volunteering, creative fundraising campaigns, and personal commitment.

Well-designed corporate social responsibility programs can significantly reduce employee turnover. At tesa, our employees are actively engaged – whether through creative fundraising campaigns or the "Bye Bye Bytes" campaign, in which employees deleted digital clutter and tesa donated in return for every bit.