At Corona, innovation is based on the Sustainable Development Goals

At Corona, innovation and business strategy are “linked” to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the commitment comes not just from one team, but from the 9,500 employees, nicknamed “poets” as innovation is ingrained in every one of their functions in their everyday life.

For María Mercedes Peláez, strategy and innovation manager at Corona, they linked each goal of the SDGs to their three innovation processes: continuous improvement, new product development and new business development.

Peláez also highlights the commitment of this Antioquian company to SDG 6 “Clean Water and Sanitation”. In addition to the fact that almost all products consume or have an impact on water during production, in the production plants and mines they put emphasis on making the company a zero-emission company and recirculating almost 100% of the water used in the processes .

They are also linked to Development Goal 7 “Affordable and clean energy”. Corona has a new “Energy Efficiency” business field, with which they support companies with high energy consumption and ensure the optimization of this consumption through the use of artificial intelligence. An initiative that started in their factories and spread to their customers.

“Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” is SDG 9, in which Corona carries out an innovation and research process for value-added minerals to improve life “in an efficient way and at the cutting edge of technology”.

With SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, Corona points to circular communities, with an improvement in building systems that allows construction companies to maintain their LEED certification and ensure their construction work is sustainable.

They also refer to SDG 12 “Responsible production and consumption” with the exploitation of raw materials and minerals and where they tend to control the generation of waste and always aim for a circular economy. They even try to involve customers with a backup plan to avoid wasting broken dish waste.

With 13 “Climate Actions” they want to reduce the carbon footprint by joining the big global goal to reduce this footprint by 40% between 2019 and 2030. And in SDG 17 “Partnerships for the Goals” they join the Corona Foundation, which focuses on education and job creation, especially for young people.

Corona’s strategy and innovation manager believes innovation helps improve productivity and creates new products, services and technologies that open new markets and opportunities for economic growth. In addition, it promotes competitiveness and stimulates investments.

In fact, over the past few years, this company has increased its share of investment in innovation from 0.92% in 2020 to 4.27% in 2022. They are motivated by innovation: “We work with 9,500 poets who put innovation at the service of strategy and our purpose to improve life,” said Peláez.

And within the various fronts of innovation, his latest product stands out: the “Open Ring Cup” for sanitary ware, “it’s the first in the world, it gives us North American certification and saves water (20%), that’s us.” Filing a patent, we are consolidating a broader and more competitive portfolio for the Pan American region.”