Discover People at Soitec

“Environment is everyone’s business.”

“It’s not about being perfect—it’s about moving forward, one step at a time. Everyone can do their part, at their own level.”

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Stéphanie Cottin, Director of Sustainability & Safety at Soitec since 2024, shares her background, her commitment, and her vision of sustainability as something rooted in action and collective effort.

You come from a finance background. What led you to focus on environmental topics?

I’ve always been sensitive to these issues, but it was during my last maternity leave that I began to explore them more deeply. I had more time to reflect and adjust my habits. Environmental concerns gradually became part of my daily life, and a natural question followed: What are we doing about this within the company?

The real trigger came when I moved to Singapore in 2021. Environmental awareness was much less developed there than in Europe. At first, I felt frustrated—but mostly, I felt the urge to act. That’s what led me to introduce the Climate Fresk workshops in Singapore and then launch an employee-driven sustainability group: SWOPP (Sustainability With Our People in PR1).

What was the purpose of this group?

To create momentum through hands-on actions and awareness campaigns with fifteen motivated and engaged colleagues, we led simple, concrete initiatives: waste sorting and reduction in the canteen, clothing donation drives, beach clean-ups, internal communications, and more. Our goal was to mobilize teams, foster a culture of environmental responsibility, and spark a virtuous cycle.

Has this experience influenced your work today in France?

Absolutely. We’ve recently launched a similar group in Bernin, bringing together employees from different departments. This team is leading the first edition of our Earth Week, which will take place from July 1–8. The goal remains the same: learn, involve people, and take action together.

My ambition is that our colleagues can learn about environmental issues, understand what’s at stake, and build awareness across the majority of our workforce. I’m convinced that raising awareness, informing, and explaining remain essential if we want to move our company forward toward a more sustainable future—and contribute to protecting the planet.

At Soitec, how do you view the role of the Sustainability & Safety team?

Our position in the organization is both clear and strategic. Being attached to the Operations Excellence & Quality division gives our work visibility and ensures that environmental & safety priorities are factored into key Group decisions. This positioning reflects that sustainability isn’t something on the side—it’s a driver of performance and a lever for transformation and most importantly, we have strong leadership support, which empowers us to act.

What are the key environmental challenges for Soitec today?

Soitec has long been active on major topics such as water management and the reduction of direct emissions (Scopes 1 and 2), with ambitious action plans already underway. Now, our next big challenge is Scope 3: how do we engage our entire value chain on these issues? We also plan to strengthen our focus on biodiversity—a topic that will become increasingly critical in the coming years.

What message would you like to share with Soitec employees?

We all have a role to play—at work and at home. It’s not about being perfect, but about moving forward, one small step at a time. The “small steps” approach is essential. There’s no perfect model, but every action matters.

What are you most proud of?

The team. Their motivation, their commitment, and their desire to make a difference. There’s a real culture of engagement at Soitec—and that’s incredibly energizing.