Client Case:
MinAltan is preparing for Cradle to Cradle 4.0
which contains new Risk Assessment Requirements

Photo: MinAltan employees with their Cradle to Cradle certification, 2022

During the spring of 2024, Imprint Consulting provided advisory services to MinAltan, focusing on the implementation of due diligence processes and the development of risk assessments related to human rights and the environment as part of the re-certification under the Cradle to Cradle certification standard 4.0.

Photo: Josephine Valentiner, Sustainability Manager ar MinAltan

The construction industry is evolving and increasingly facing expectations for responsible business practices due to current and upcoming EU legislation and future customers. "We are using the time we have now, while it is something we can practice and not something we have to do. We hope it's a good investment," says Josephine Valentiner, adding that the certification is undoubtedly a strategic tool to strengthen their position, differentiate the company, and become the preferred partner for collaborators and customers.

Due Diligence makes sustainability work tangible

With a focus on the company, the 4.0 certification standard, and a sharpened focus on due diligence and risk assessments related to human rights and the environment, Imprint tailored the advisory process for MinAltan. Silke Sønderstrup-Granquist, Senior Sustainability Advisor, explains: "MinAltan needed to be prepared to submit a risk assessment and meet the requirements under the 'Social Fairness Requirements' and 'Environmental Policy and Management,' but they had no idea how to approach it."

During the process, MinAltan was trained in due diligence and taken through the risk assessment in three steps: 1) Mapping risks in their own activities and value chain, 2) Prioritizing risks, and 3) Managing risks.

Photo:  Workshop with Silke Sønderstrup-Granquist from Imprint, Jonas Juul-Olsen CEO and Morten Dinitzen COO from MinAltan

The question of what a risk analysis actually is and how the product will turn out was pressing for Josephine Valentiner, who leads the certification process at MinAltan. Early in the process, MinAltan was introduced to Imprint's proprietary tool for conducting risk assessments. Josephine shares:

"The tool was an enormous help and a great example of how Imprint helped us create structure and make things more tangible throughout the entire process."

Josephine Valentiner, Sustainability Manager at MinAltan

The process included knowledge presentations, one-on-one sparring and training, research via online resources and knowledge platforms, involvement of internal and external stakeholders, a joint workshop, and the preparation of a final summary report, which is submitted to Cradle to Cradle as documentation for the process and the company's work.

External assistance from Imprint gave MinAltan the opportunity to see their value chain from a broader perspective and look beyond their biases. "The due diligence process forced us to question the environmental and social impact that MinAltan may have, for example, when sourcing wood from South America," explains Josephine Valentiner, emphasizing that they gained a sharper focus on the company's impact far beyond Denmark.

Sustainability can often seem abstract both for customers, management, and even for Josephine Valentiner herself. She explains that working with due diligence has made sustainability more understandable. "Due diligence and the six steps make it more concrete. You can see how things connect, and we don't have to get stuck at steps three or five." The involvement of employees across MinAltan was crucial, and Josephine elaborates:

The Cradle to Cradle certification is a substantial part of MinAltan's work across departments and influences many of the decisions that need to be made in the company.

"We quickly realized that one of Imprint's strong values is that we don't just pay for a task to be completed.
We also get involved ourselves,
so we can learn from the process."

Josephine Valentiner, Sustainability Manager at MinAltan

As sparring partners, Imprint helped MinAltan structure the process and ensure they implemented due diligence and conducted the risk assessment. "Our practical approach also ensured that they gained the skills to understand what due diligence is and could carry it forward themselves," says Silke Sønderstrup-Granquist, the advisor on the project.

For a smaller company like MinAltan, handling the extensive Cradle to Cradle certification process alone can be overwhelming. Josephine Valentiner describes how external advisors like Silke Sønderstrup-Granquist from Imprint have been crucial in navigating the standard's requirements.

"Cradle to Cradle certification is really broad, and I'm the only one handling the task. It's a lot of work and many different things need to function simultaneously.
Being able to leave the formal requirements to Silke
felt like being in really good hands. It was a huge help."

Josephine Valentiner, Sustainability Manager at MinAltan

External help not only provides expertise and structure but also reassurance, easing some of the workload. Josephine Valentiner acknowledges that they could not have written the final summary report, which must be submitted as documentation to the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, without the support provided by Imprint.