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Milliken & Company's 2024 Sustainability Report

On April 16, 2025, Milliken & Company, a diversified global manufacturer, unveiled its seventh annual sustainability report. This comprehensive document serves to track the organization’s progress against its stated Sustainability Goals for 2025 and its ambitious aim for net-zero emissions by 2030. The report offers a detailed assessment of the company’s achievements across various critical impact areas: people, products, the planet, net-zero initiatives, and ethical business practices.

Commitment to Sustainability

Halsey Cook, Milliken's President and CEO, emphasized the importance of sustainability in the company’s strategic objectives. According to Cook, "Sustainability is integral to Milliken's business strategy, and our 2024 Sustainability Report highlights our performance, processes, and progress.” Cook acknowledged the essential contributions of employees, clients, and partners in reaching their sustainability milestones. She stated that while sustainability poses complex challenges, the collective commitment ensures an ongoing improvement in practices.

Key Areas of Impact

People

In 2024, Milliken successfully focused on its core priorities, leading to a reduction in lost-time incidents. The company achieved its goal of 100,000 volunteer hours a year ahead of schedule, exceeding the original target by an additional 31,000 hours. This not only demonstrates commitment to corporate social responsibility but also engages employees in meaningful community service.

Products

A significant milestone was reached when Milliken evaluated 100% of its new products for sustainability in 2024. This is a marked improvement from the 22% recorded in 2018. Milliken became the first textile manufacturer to provide PFAS-free materials for all three layers of fire protection. Moreover, its N/XT Life™ program, coupled with a partnership with The Recycling Partnership’s Center for Sustainable Behavior and Impact, reflects the company's strong support for circular economy concepts.

Planet

Milliken has surpassed its renewable energy target for 2025 as early as 2022, as it expands renewable energy usage and strives to minimize emissions. Additionally, the firm’s focus on thermal drying of biosolids from wastewater treatment and the eliminate of coal ash in steam generation have contributed to significant waste reduction. In 2024, efforts to optimize wastewater treatment processes and manage various waste streams led to a decrease in waste intensity from the 2018 baseline.

Net-Zero Initiatives

The company cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% in 2024 from the 2018 baseline, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2030. Since 2018, Milliken has invested over $35 million in initiatives to eliminate coal through co-generation, energy efficiency enhancements, and increased reliance on renewable electricity while modernizing manufacturing operations. The organization's strategies to reduce Scope 3 emissions involve collaboration with suppliers, refining the sustainability data of their products, and sourcing low-carbon materials.

Ethical Business Conduct

Milliken reiterates its commitment to the United Nations Global Compact, aligning with its Ten Principles focused on human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and anti-corruption efforts. The company actively incorporates these principles into its daily operations and strategically seeks projects that promote these broader development goals.

Kasel Knight, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Sustainability Officer, stated, "The 2024 Sustainability Report from Milliken reflects our progress and underscores our commitment to sustainability. We strive to foster positive change and remain motivated by the advancements we've made."

The full 2024 Sustainability Report by Milliken is available at milliken.com/sustainability, along with additional resources on net-zero initiatives and previous reports.

Company Overview

Milliken & Company is a global leader in manufacturing, driven by material science innovation that propels tomorrow's advancements. With a portfolio of thousands of patents and applications in textiles, flooring, chemicals, and healthcare, the company is committed to integrity and excellence, impacting the world positively for generations. Explore more of Milliken’s compelling solutions and innovations at milliken.com.