HERTI AD becomes part of the responsible business community in the Bulgarian Network of the UN Global Compact
Established in 1993 in Shumen, HERTI AD is a Bulgarian manufacturing company with an international presence, specializing in the production of aluminum, plastic and composite bottle caps and packaging solutions for the food industry and pharmaceuticals. Today, the company sells its products on international markets, combining technological development and innovation with responsible management and care for the environment and local communities.
"For Herti, sustainability means thinking long-term and translating responsibility towards people, nature and society into concrete actions to be a reliable and preferred partner for our customers. Over the years, we have invested not only in technology and production facilities, but also in more efficient use of resources, safe working conditions and development of our employees. Membership in the UN Global Compact is a natural continuation of this path and an opportunity to share experiences and achieve more together."
Zahari Zahariev, the founder and CEO of Herti, shares more about his experience, vision for sustainable development and the role of business in achieving positive change.
What is corporate sustainability for Herti? Why is it valuable for you to be a member of the UN Global Compact?
For Herti, sustainability means developing a competitive and successful business that creates long-term value for customers, employees, shareholders and society, while limiting its impact on the environment. This is also enshrined in our mission.
Herti is a Bulgarian public company with over 30 years of history, whose aluminum, plastic and composite caps reach more than 50 countries on six continents. Our international presence requires us to meet high standards of quality, safety, business ethics and environmental responsibility. We have been working in this direction since the very foundation of the company. Since 2006 we have been a shareholder in Ecopack, since 2010 we have been a member of SEDEX and since 2020 we have been a member of EcoVadis. Since 2017, we have been publishing non-financial information, which we are constantly upgrading and improving.
In 2025, we completed an important milestone in the development of our ESG strategy. We have identified the essential sustainability themes through an analysis of impacts, risks and opportunities, including customer surveys, suppliers, partners and employees. We carried out an emissions inventory and set measurable targets and indicators to track progress.
Membership in the UN Global Compact is a logical next step. We accept its ten principles as a basis for responsible management and see an opportunity to exchange practical experience, participate in joint initiatives and contribute to the development of sustainable business in Bulgaria.
What are your most significant initiatives and activities related to sustainable development?
Our most significant initiatives are related to energy efficiency, circular economy, people development and responsible governance:
Energy and climate: As of July 2024, Herti has a contract for the supply of electricity from renewable sources with guarantees of origin. We carry out an inventory of Scope 1 and 2 emissions, setting 2022 as the base year and setting a medium-term target of reducing emissions by 30% compared to it.
Circular economy and waste management: Aluminum is a major raw material in our production and its efficient use is a priority. Production aluminum waste is baled and handed over for recycling, with the material returned to the production cycle through the supply chain. In 2025, the share of non-recycled waste is less than half a percent, and more than 1 300 tonnes of waste are diverted to recovery operations.
People and working conditions: In 2025, we conducted more trainings than the previous year. We implement policies for equal opportunities, diversity, non-discrimination and protection of labor rights. Half of the company's senior management positions are held by women.
Responsible Management and Procurement: We apply the Code of Ethics, Anti-Corruption Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct. We passed the SMETA audit carried out by Bureau Veritas without any violations found. We support management systems according to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
In recognition of our consistent efforts, the silver medal from EcoVadis in 2026 with a score of 75 out of 100 points, which ranks the Herti Group among the top 15% of evaluated companies in the world.
Which of the Sustainable Development Goals do you recognize as priorities?
Our priorities are directly related to our activities as a manufacturing company:
Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth. We invest in safe working conditions, qualification and development of employees, equal opportunities and responsible labor practices.
Goal 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure. We modernise production equipment, implement new technologies and automation, and develop innovative packaging solutions.
Goal 12 – Responsible consumption and production. We work to use raw materials efficiently, reduce waste, recycle aluminum and apply the principles of the circular economy.
Goal 13 – Fight climate change: Increase the share of renewable energy, track carbon emissions and implement a climate reduction strategy.
Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals is also important to us, because sustainable development requires joint efforts of business, institutions and society.
Introduce your sustainability team
Sustainable development at Herti is managed through cooperation between different functional units.
We have a Sustainable Development Specialist at the Human Resources and Administrative Activities Directorate, and the overall coordination and responsibility are assigned to the Director of Investor Relations.
Colleagues from the Directorates of Quality, Supply Chain Management and Marketing and Sales are actively involved in the work. A specialized committee has also been formed in the development of the ESG strategy and the identification of the essential topics. This organization allows us to combine different competencies and translate strategic goals into concrete actions related to production, employees, suppliers and customers.
How will your accession to the Bulgarian Network affect the sector and business in Bulgaria?
We believe that Bulgarian manufacturing companies can make a significant contribution to sustainable development through real investments, innovations and responsible management.
Herti has practical experience in resource management, recycling of industrial waste, implementation of management systems and the implementation of ESG requirements in international supply chains. We are ready to share this experience with the other members of the Bulgarian Network.
At the same time, we see membership as an opportunity to learn from other companies, participate in common projects and support initiatives related to education, professional development, environmental protection and responsible business conduct.
We hope that with our participation we will contribute to the wider application of sustainability principles in the Bulgarian industry and to more active cooperation between business and society.
From 17 to 20 November 2026, Herti will participate in the 31st edition of SIMEI at Fiera Milano Rho, Italy, one of the leading international exhibitions for wine, beverage and bottling technologies.
The 2026 edition will place particular emphasis on innovation, sustainability and increasingly efficient production processes.
While wine remains at the heart of SIMEI, the exhibition continues to broaden its scope to other beverage sectors, including beer and spirits, as well as olive oil and the wider Liquid Food & Beverage industry. One of the new highlights for 2026 is Bevertech, dedicated to technologies for the production, packaging and distribution of liquid food and beverages.
Herti will present its wide range of aluminium closures for wine and spirits, mineral water, olive oil and other beverages, with a variety of sizes, designs and decoration options.
Our team looks forward to meeting customers, partners and industry professionals in Milan and discussing their packaging needs and new projects.
Visit Herti in Hall 2, Stand K19.
From 10 to 12 November 2026, Herti will participate in one of the leading European trade fairs for the beverage industry -BrauBeviale in Nuremberg, Germany.
Under the motto “All Beverages. One Future.”, BrauBeviale 2026 will bring together beverage producers, suppliers and industry experts to present solutions and discuss the latest developments across the entire beverage production chain – from raw materials and processing to bottling, packaging and marketing.
This year’s edition will focus on the changing beverage market, new consumer preferences, alcohol-free concepts, resource efficiency and sustainable technological solutions.
Herti will present its wide range of aluminium closures for the beverage industry, with solutions for wine and spirits, mineral water and other beverages. Visitors will be able to explore different sizes, designs and decoration options, as well as Herti’s continuous efforts to combine quality, functionality and attractive design with sustainable packaging solutions.
We look forward to meeting our customers, partners and new contacts in Nuremberg.
Visit Herti at Hall 7A, Stand 410.
Herti will once again take part in the ADI Craft Spirits Conference & Expo, one of North America's leading events for the spirits industry, to be held in Miami Beach, USA, on August 18–19, 2026.
This year marks Herti's fifth consecutive participation in the exhibition, reflecting the company's long-term commitment to the North American market and its strong partnerships with craft and premium spirits producers.
At ADI 2026, Herti will present its portfolio of premium aluminium closures for spirits, featuring innovative designs, high-quality decoration options and sustainable packaging solutions that help brands stand out on the shelf while meeting the highest performance standards.
The exhibition provides an excellent opportunity to meet existing customers, establish new business relationships and discuss the latest trends in packaging, design and sustainability with producers from across the United States and beyond.
If you are visiting ADI 2026, we invite you to stop by Booth 545. We look forward to meeting you in Miami!
The group HERTI has been awarded the EcoVadis Silver Medal, achieving an overall score of 75 out of 100. This result places the company among the top 15% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis worldwide.
The new score represents a 12-point improvement compared to last year, placing the company in the 88th percentile globally.
The EcoVadis assessment recognizes HERTI's continuous commitment to sustainability across four key areas: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. This significant improvement reflects our long-term efforts to strengthen responsible business practices and continuously enhance our ESG performance.
We would like to thank all our colleagues whose dedication and professionalism made this achievement possible. This recognition motivates us to continue developing HERTI as a responsible, sustainable and trusted partner for our customers, employees and society.
We are proud to announce that on May 4th ,2026 Herti officially registered a new subsidiary – Herti South America, with its location in Santiago, Chile. The capital of the new company is 100% owned by Herti JSC.
The decision to establish the company, approved by the Board of Directors on February 24th, 2026, marks an important step toward strengthening our presence in key South American markets.
Forward to new opportunities!
How Packaging Suppliers Are Supporting the Future of Wine
As wineries continue to adapt to shifting consumer preferences and production demands, packaging innovation remains a key area of focus.
Closure manufacturers are responding with solutions that support not only product protection, but also convenience, branding, and production efficiency. Herti, with more than 30 years of experience in closure solutions, continues to serve the wine and beverage sectors with a broad portfolio designed for modern bottling needs.
For wineries evaluating packaging upgrades, closure selection is increasingly seen as part of the larger strategy around quality assurance and consumer trust.
Herti US will be exhibiting at the Temecula Grape Day Conference on April 30th, 2026. If you are in the Southern California wine industry, this is the event not to be missed. The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association presents this one-day conference featuring indepth seminars on the latest advancements and developments in Enology and Viticulture.
Tickets are just $96 and include breakfast and lunch along with seminars, vendor booths and networking. Click the link below to purchase tickets.
https://temeculavalleywinegrowers.ticketspice.com/grape-day-2026
Why Closure Quality Still Plays a Critical Role in Wine Packaging
In today’s wine market, packaging decisions go far beyond appearance. Wineries are increasingly evaluating every component of the bottle—from label design to closure performance—as part of the overall customer experience.
Closures, in particular, play an important role in preserving wine quality, supporting shelf life, and reinforcing brand confidence. From aluminum screw caps to specialty closure solutions, suppliers like Herti continue to develop options designed for reliability, consistency, and ease of use across multiple beverage categories.
As producers look for ways to balance performance, presentation, and operational efficiency, closure technology remains an essential part of the packaging conversation.