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This thesis presents a comprehensive exploration of how ITC Limited can mainstream Sustainable Supply Chain (SSC) practices and Product Sustainability (PS) across its diversified business verticals, aligning with its Sustainability 2.0 agenda. In an era where supply chain transparency and product responsibility are becoming business imperatives, ITC has the opportunity to adopt global best practices and sector-specific innovations to stay ahead of evolving stakeholder expectations and regulatory frameworks.
To develop actionable insights, the study undertook a peer benchmarking exercise involving 19 leading companies across three major sectors: Food and Beverages (F&B), Paper, and Personal Care. These peers were assessed for their sustainability strategies, interventions, KPIs, claims, and portfolio maturity.
For Sustainable Supply Chains, the study identifies four key focus areas widely adopted by peers:
• Human Rights in the Supply Chain
• Deforestation-Free Sourcing
• Scope 3 GHG Emissions Reduction
• Regenerative Agriculture
These areas were assessed through a structured framework built on four pillars— Focus Areas, Interventions, Enablers, and KPIs. Key interventions by peers include capacity building programs, supplier due diligence, certifications (e.g., RSPO, FSC), and incentive mechanisms. Real-world examples such as Mondelez’s Cocoa Life, Nestlé’s Income Accelerator, and PepsiCo’s supplier financing initiatives were analysed in depth to draw relevance for ITC.
In the domain of Product Sustainability, the thesis proposes a five-part framework comprising:
• Focus Areas (e.g., Nutrition, Circularity, Green Chemistry)
• Measurement Frameworks (e.g., Life Cycle Assessments, Product Environmental Scores)
• Sustainable Product Portfolios
• Customer-Facing Claims and Labelling
• Long-Term Targets and Ambitions
Peering into best practices, it was found that companies like Mondi and Reckitt have adopted robust sustainability measurement tools (e.g., Path to Circularity Scorecard, Sustainable Innovation Calculator), while others like L’Oréal and Nestlé are strategically positioning their brands around purpose and environmental impact.
For ITC, the thesis offers tailored short-term and long-term actions—such as building Scope 3 data visibility across TPMs, expanding CSA programs to other commodities, or introducing regenerative agriculture KPIs—to strengthen both its supply chain sustainability and product portfolios. The final recommendations are designed to be business-specific yet scalable across ITC’s diverse divisions, laying the groundwork for an integrated sustainability framework that supports value creation, brand trust, and regulatory readiness.
