Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, is committed to addressing sustainability in all of its activities through added value and benefits created for all its stakeholders – in economic, social and environmental terms. In parallel with this commitment the company calls for growing protection of the natural ecosystem, coinciding with World Environment Day, which happened on 5 June.
In a world facing rapid population growth, water scarcity, a changing climate and other resource-related challenges, long-term economic growth depends on meeting society’s needs in ever more sustainable ways. The global chemical industry has a unique role in innovating and producing a wide range of products, articles, and services that are essential to everyday life and that promote sustainable development and environmentally sound outcomes. Clariant is committed to creating value for all of its stakeholders by addressing the trend to manufacture sustainable and innovative products without compromising on performance.
Clariant is well on its way to achieving the environmental targets it has set for 2025. Clariant continuously improves its environmental impact by focusing on:
- Business opportunities arising from environmental challenges
- Reducing energy use and water consumption
- Minimising pollution
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Waste generation
‘Sustainability has always been a main focus for Clariant Southern Africa. We recognise the importance of the protection and conservation of our natural ecosystems and affirm that sustainable management of the natural environment is the key to sustainable human development. As a group, Clariant is committed to creating value for all stakeholders by addressing the trend to manufacture sustainable, cost-effective, and energy-saving products without compromising on innovation and performance,’ states Ravi Chetty, Clariant Southern Africa/ head of Site and Country Environmental, Safety and Health Affairs (ESHA).
Clariant uses natural resources responsibly, has programs in place to mitigate climate change and reduce waste, and increasingly considers circular economy aspects.
EcoTain products offer high cost efficiency
Clariant is driving sustainability in its product portfolio through its Portfolio Value Program and reviews the properties and potential impacts of its products across the lifecycle starting from the product development phases. The existing product portfolio is continuously reviewed and refined according to sustainability criteria. There are currently more than 150 of Clariant’s products across all business units that have now been awarded the EcoTain label.
The EcoTain concept stands for eco-compatible, economical and socio-economic. EcoTain products are, for example, economically attractive, offering high cost efficiency through less waste generation and greater recycling opportunities and more efficient processes. This helps customers to achieve the desired formulation cost target without compromising on formulation properties. Clariant’s R&D efforts are focused on developing new products with low human toxicity, low environmental impact through high biodegradability and low ecotox, and the use of renewable resources. EcoTain highlights Clariant’s ongoing philosophy of managing its product portfolio and services to customers’ needs as well as the necessity to consequently develop products that are based on a sustainable raw material basis.
By progressively screening its entire range of products and services and evaluating them for sustainability, Clariant has also systemised its search for innovative, future-oriented solutions and is asking its suppliers apply the same methodology to their input materials. Sustainable processes that use renewable raw materials to produce bio-based chemicals and biofuels will be key to moving forward, and Clariant embraces this insight by staying competitive and innovative while reducing its carbon footprint and offering the highest possible performance to continue offering customers sustainable bio-based solutions.
Listed on Dow Jones Sustainability Index since 2013
Clariant is also recognised as one of the most sustainable chemical companies in Europe. It has been listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) Europe since September 2013. Clariant was recently listed in the 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), achieving recognition as one of the most sustainable chemical companies for the fifth consecutive year.
In 2016, 2017 and 2018, Clariant also received a RobecoSAM Sustainability Award and Silver Class distinction for its excellent sustainability performance. In the RobecoSAM Annual Sustainability Yearbook 2018, Clariant is listed among the most sustainable companies in the chemical industry. With a total sustainability score of 89 in the annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) and just a few percentage points from the score of the DJSI industry leader, Clariant received a ‘Silver Class’ award. The CSA is also the basis for including companies in the renowned Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).
The repeated Silver Class underlines how successfully and consistently sustainability has been integrated into all of our businesses and processes. Clariant scored exceptionally high in the categories Materiality, Environmental and Social Reporting, Operational Eco-efficiency, Climate Change Strategy, Water Related Risks, and Human Capital Development.
Chetty concludes: ‘Our five production facilities across South Africa in Randburg, Chamdor, Chloorkop, Sasolburg and Richards Bay prioritise occupational safety and employ a comprehensive set of energy management tools to increase efficiency and productivity while reducing costs and our carbon footprint.’
