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.