Who Owns Colgate?

• Parent Company: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Ownership Type: Brand division
• Company Type: Publicly Traded
• Stock Ticker: NYSE: CL

• Founded: 1873
• Founders: William Colgate

• Founded: 1806
• Headquarters: New York, New York, USA
• Company Type: Publicly Traded
• Stock: NYSE: CL
• Revenue: approximately $20.1 billion (FY2024)
• Employees: Approximately 35,000

Visit Colgate-Palmolive Company website

• Headquarters: New York, USA
• Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Mexico, Brazil, India, Various international locations

Colgate operates under Colgate-Palmolive's comprehensive sustainability framework, focusing on environmental responsibility, social impact, and ethical business practices. The company has made significant progress in packaging innovation and climate action while facing ongoing criticism regarding plastic use and animal testing practices.

Packaging Innovation and Recycling: Colgate has achieved remarkable progress in sustainable packaging, with 93% of its packaging being recyclable, reusable, or compostable as of December 2024, up from 89.5% the previous year. The company has transitioned approximately 75% of its toothpaste SKUs globally and about 95% of toothpaste tubes in North America to recyclable tubes, making recyclable tubes accessible in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2025, Colgate began introducing innovative, recyclable paper-based packaging for manual toothbrushes, transitioning away from traditional plastic packaging as part of its long-term vision for more sustainable packaging.

Climate Action and Renewable Energy: Colgate has been working on climate change for over 20 years and was the first multinational company in its sector to have climate targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative in 2022. The company signed a long-term virtual power purchase agreement for a wind farm in Europe in 2024, expected to cover approximately 60% of its Europe-based operational electricity needs. Colgate continues to accelerate action on climate change and work toward Net Zero carbon emissions across its operations.

Water Conservation and Resource Management: The company is committed to water conservation and natural resource preservation as part of its environmental sustainability strategy. Colgate implements water-saving measures in manufacturing processes and works with partners to eliminate waste and decrease plastic usage throughout its supply chain. These efforts align with the company's broader goal of preserving the environment while maintaining product quality and manufacturing efficiency.

Animal Testing Policy and Alternatives: Colgate maintains a commitment to work toward the elimination of laboratory safety testing using animals. For cosmetics, the company primarily uses available databases and non-animal alternatives when conducting safety assessments internally. Colgate is on PETA's list of Companies Working for Regulatory Change, demonstrating its commitment to replacing animals with non-animal testing methods. However, the company acknowledges that government regulations in some countries require animal testing for product safety verification, and its commitment doesn't apply across all product categories.

Palm Oil and Deforestation: Colgate uses palm oil, palm kernel oil, and derivatives in various products including soap, toothpaste, antiperspirants, deodorants, and house cleaners. The company is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) with a certification level of 70.89% and has a 2025 goal for all tier 1 and derivative volumes to be 100% physically certified palm oil. Despite having a 'no deforestation' policy, Colgate has faced criticism from Greenpeace for using palm oil from producers that destroy rainforests.

Chemical Safety and Product Formulation: Colgate received a best rating for its approach to toxic chemicals in cosmetics, banning harmful chemicals including parabens and phthalates. The company maintains strict ingredient safety standards and has implemented policies to eliminate harmful substances from its product formulations while maintaining product efficacy and safety.

Colgate has received extensive recognition for its innovation in oral care, research funding programs, and professional education initiatives, establishing itself as a leader in dental health and oral care education worldwide.

Professional Education and Research Awards: Colgate sponsors numerous prestigious award programs in dental education and research, including the Colgate Award for Research Excellence (CARE) program, a multinational funding initiative supporting oral health research. The Colgate STAR award recognizes exceptional dental hygiene students and faculty who show outstanding commitment to the profession. The company also supports the IADR Colgate Oral Health Research Award, which funds basic, clinical, and applied studies related to oral disease prevention and health promotion.

Academic Partnership Recognition: Colgate has established partnerships with dental schools and educational institutions worldwide, receiving recognition for supporting dental hygiene and dental education programs. The company's collaboration with ADEA (American Dental Education Association) includes the Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals Excellence in Teaching award and the Colgate-Palmolive Junior Faculty Award, which recognize excellence in dental education and faculty development.

Dental Industry Innovation Awards: Colgate has received numerous awards for product innovation, particularly for Colgate Total toothpaste, which offers 12-hour protection against germs and became one of the most successful oral care product launches. The company's continuous innovation in dental technology, including advanced toothpaste formulations, smart toothbrushes, and specialized oral care products, has been acknowledged by dental professionals and industry organizations.

Sustainability Progress Recognition: Despite facing criticism for environmental practices, Colgate has received recognition for its sustainability initiatives, including approval of climate targets by the Science Based Targets initiative and progress in packaging innovation. The company's annual Sustainability & Social Impact Report provides comprehensive overviews of environmental and social impact efforts, earning acknowledgment from sustainability organizations for transparency and goal-setting.

Brand Leadership and Consumer Trust: Colgate consistently ranks among the world's most trusted brands in oral care, receiving recognition for brand strength, consumer loyalty, and market leadership. The company's global presence and consistent quality have earned numerous consumer choice awards and recognition from dental professionals for product effectiveness and safety.

Community Health Impact Recognition: Colgate has been acknowledged for its social impact programs, particularly for reaching over 100 million consumers with water, sanitation, and oral health education programs. The company's commitment to helping millions of homes develop healthier habits through sustainable products has received recognition from public health organizations and community development programs.

Colgate has faced significant controversies related to environmental practices, animal testing, and human rights issues in its supply chain, despite maintaining a reputation for quality and innovation in oral care products.

Plastic Pollution and Environmental Impact: Colgate has faced criticism from environmental organizations like Greenpeace for its key role in driving global demand for single-use plastic. While the company aims to eliminate one-third of new virgin plastics and achieve recyclable packaging by 2025, critics argue this target is insufficient given the scale of Colgate's plastic production. Environmental groups have highlighted that the company's plastic waste contributes significantly to ocean pollution and environmental damage, despite its packaging innovation efforts.

Animal Testing Concerns: Despite having a commitment to animal welfare and working toward eliminating animal testing, Colgate has received Ethical Consumer's worst rating for animal testing policy. The company's commitment doesn't apply across all product categories, and it acknowledges that government regulations in some countries require animal testing for product safety. This has led to criticism from animal welfare organizations and ethical consumer groups who argue that the company should do more to eliminate animal testing across its entire product portfolio.

Human Rights and Supply Chain Issues: Colgate consistently scores poorly in human rights and workers' rights categories due to operations in countries with oppressive regimes including China, Egypt, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Turkey, and Venezuela. The company has been criticized for publishing no standards for working hours and wages, no information about supply chain audit outcomes, and lacking clear mechanisms for workers to make anonymous complaints or raise issues about working conditions.

Palm Oil Deforestation Controversy: Despite being a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and having a 'no deforestation' policy, Colgate has faced criticism from Greenpeace for using palm oil from producers that destroy rainforests. The company's RSPO certification level of 70.89% has been deemed insufficient by environmental groups, who argue that Colgate should achieve 100% RSPO certification for all palm oil derivatives to prevent deforestation and habitat destruction.

Microplastics and Ingredient Safety: Colgate's policy on ingredient safety has been criticized as hit and miss regarding microplastics. While the company bans microbeads, it doesn't cover other types of harmful microplastics, leading to concerns about comprehensive microplastic pollution prevention. Environmental groups have called for more comprehensive policies to address all forms of microplastic pollution in oral care products.

Product Quality and Safety Recalls: Like other consumer products companies, Colgate has occasionally faced product quality issues and safety concerns that have required recalls or product reformulations. These incidents have typically involved limited product runs and have been addressed through standard quality control procedures and consumer notifications, though they have occasionally impacted consumer trust and brand reputation.

Marketing and Health Claims Scrutiny: Colgate has faced scrutiny regarding marketing claims and health benefit assertions for its oral care products. Regulatory bodies and consumer protection organizations have occasionally challenged the company's marketing language and health benefit claims, requiring more rigorous scientific validation and clearer communication about product capabilities and limitations.