Accelerating impact: IBG’s journey to EcoVadis Gold with Nexio Projects

“Partnering with Nexio Projects did more than prepare us for the EcoVadis assessment — it embedded sustainability into every part of our organisation and value chain.” 

– Hans Elzinga, QA/QC Manager at IBG

About IBG 

Innovative Beauty Group (IBG) operates across 13 international locations with 360 dedicated employees. As a leader in beauty product innovation, IBG is committed to embedding sustainability into product development, operations, and supply chain management. The company embraces transparency and continuous improvement as core values, driving sustainable value for customers, employees, and partners worldwide. 

Nexio Projects’ role 

As a global EcoVadis Strategic Partner since 2018 and a certified B Corp Way Partner with in-house B Leaders, Nexio Projects is among the top sustainability consultancies in the Netherlands and across Europe. These partnerships, combined with our hands-on ESG advisory, ensure you can navigate complex sustainability challenges with credibility and impact.

Since 2024, Nexio Projects has partnered with IBG to provide EcoVadis assessment reviews, B Corp quick scans, outsourced sustainability management, and EcoVadis Insights reporting, helping IBG to build capacity, close gaps, and achieve EcoVadis Gold status in 2025. 

Why IBG prioritised EcoVadis and exploring B Corp 

In recent years, sustainability has shifted from a compliance-driven “nice to have” to a fundamental component of business strategy across industries. For IBG (Innovative Beauty Group), a multinational company operating across 13 locations with 360 employees, this meant taking a holistic view of its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibilities. The company recognised early that to credibly demonstrate leadership in sustainability, it needed transparent, internationally recognised benchmarks. 

IBG embarked on a journey to align more closely with sustainability frameworks that could guide, measure, and validate its efforts — notably EcoVadis rating and potentially B Corp certification. These frameworks provided a path to assessing performance beyond internal goals, aligning with customer and industry expectations, and unlocking opportunities in increasingly sustainability-conscious markets. 

Diagnosing the gaps: The starting point and internal roadblocks 

At the outset, IBG’s sustainability actions were mostly local—various sites had individual initiatives but there was little centralised coordination or comprehensive reporting. The company found it challenging to gather consistent data across their operations and translate sustainability ambitions into auditable, documented evidence required for the EcoVadis certification.  

Key internal hurdles were: 

• Diverse operations and practices across international sites 
• Limited processes for systematic data collection and documentation 
• A lack of clear ownership for sustainability metrics 
• Difficulty aligning sustainability with core business units and supply chain management 

These gaps meant IBG’s first EcoVadis assessment felt daunting. Without clear guidance and an integrated management system, gathering evidence and creating a robust submission was overwhelming. 

Nexio Projects’ approach: From assessment review to management integration 

To support IBG, Nexio Projects delivered a sustainability consulting partnership starting in 2024. Our approach combined technical expertise on rating frameworks with practical, hands-on assistance. 

The core components of Nexio Projects’ support included: 

• EcoVadis assessment review (2024): Nexio reviewed IBG’s existing sustainability practices and documentation, identifying key gaps mapped to EcoVadis criteria. 
• B Corp quick scan (2024): Complementary to EcoVadis, this scan highlighted gaps and opportunities, reinforcing the integrated nature of sustainability strategy. 
• Outsourced sustainability management (2025): Nexio’s experts helped operationalise data collection with clear processes and responsibilities across business units and sites. 
• EcoVadis insights report (2025): Providing actionable recommendations based on IBG’s scoring, unlocking targeted improvement plans. 

Together, these services built a structured framework to embed sustainability into IBG’s operations while reducing the burden on internal teams. 

To further help you with your EcoVadis journey, our sustainability experts prepared a video series, where they explain from basics to complex strategies to improve your EcoVadis score. Watch below!

Data as a foundation: Tools, best practices, and overcoming collection hurdles 

One of the biggest challenges for IBG was managing complex data collection — gathering reliable, consistent information from 13 sites, across environmental, social, and governance pillars. Nexio Projects introduced tools and templates to standardise data entry and reporting, clarifying what evidence was needed for each assessment category. 

Additionally, establishing ownership of specific areas, facilitating cross-functional collaboration. Regular training and check-ins increased awareness and competence, transforming sustainability from a niche concern into a shared business priority. 

This data-driven approach enabled IBG to track progress in real time, identify weak points, and prepare well-evidenced, audit-ready submissions to EcoVadis. 

The power of partnership and stakeholder collaboration 

IBG’s journey was not achieved in isolation. Nexio Projects’ collaborative approach fostered clear communication channels and stakeholder engagement throughout the process. 

Internally, the partnership drove alignment among sustainability, procurement, operations, and leadership teams. Externally, the EcoVadis Gold status enhanced credibility with suppliers and customers, who increasingly demand transparency and verified sustainability performance. 

This collaborative culture has elevated IBG’s reputation and created momentum for continuous improvement within its value chain. 

Achieving results: From assessment to Gold certification 

The combined efforts culminated in IBG achieving EcoVadis Gold status in 2025 — placing them among the top tier of companies worldwide recognized for sustainability excellence. 

Key outcomes included: 

• A formalised sustainability management system integrated into day-to-day operations 
• Enhanced transparency and trust with key stakeholders and supply chain partners 
• Identification of priority areas for continued ESG improvements 
• Strengthened competitive positioning and attractiveness to eco-conscious clients 

For IBG, the award validated the strategic decision to invest in sustainability frameworks and expert consulting, confirming that purpose and performance can coexist to drive business value. 

Want to find out more about EcoVadis certification? Read our tailored guide and stay ahed of the curve!

The ripple effect: Business, supply chain, and industry reputation 

With Gold status in hand, IBG has leveraged this achievement to deepen relationships across its supply chain and improve customer confidence. The company’s sustainability story is now a core part of its brand narrative, opening doors to new partnerships and contracts where environmental and social criteria are increasingly decisive. 

Internal morale has also benefited: the clear progress and external recognition have galvanised employees and management alike toward ongoing ESG ambition. 

Challenges and lessons learned: What other companies should know 

IBG’s journey highlights several lessons for organisations pursuing EcoVadis or similar sustainability assessments: 

• Start with a clear gap analysis: Understanding what is missing helps prioritise efforts effectively. 
• Invest in data systems and champions: Sustainable progress depends on reliable data and engaged teams. 
• Leverage expert partners: Consultants like Nexio Projects bring experience that accelerates timelines and reduces internal burden. 
• Embed sustainability in business processes: Beyond certifications, sustainability should be part of daily decision-making. 
• Communicate wins and learnings: Transparency with stakeholders builds trust and motivates continuous improvement. 

Future vision and ongoing ESG commitments 

For IBG, EcoVadis Gold is not a final destination but a milestone on a journey of continuous sustainability advancement. The company plans to: 

• Expand sustainability training and tools 
• Strengthen supplier engagement on ESG 
• Utilise EcoVadis Insights to target year-on-year improvements 
• Deepen integration of ESG considerations with innovation and growth strategies 

By maintaining this forward-looking approach, IBG aims to remain a leading industry voice for sustainable business. 

Interested to hear more from sector leaders in sustainability? Check out our client case studies!

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Ready to elevate your sustainability certification performance and stand out as a leader? Get in touch with Nexio Projects for a customised ESG strategy.