Addressing Societal Needs
Clariant actively contributes to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations member states in 2015. These 17 goals marked a milestone on the global path to a more sustainable future, and they present a strong business opportunity for the company.
1. Tapping into market potential
There is a growing understanding among businesses that the SDGs have the potential to unleash innovation and growth. This potential was captured by the Business & Sustainable Development Commission’s »Better Business, Better World« report, which outlined USD 12 trillion of additional market value that could be unlocked by 2030 if the SDGs are achieved.
The goals provide a global framework to translate the most pressing societal and environmental needs into a common language and a defined set of actions for all stakeholders. Clariant is committed to delivering on this ambitious and transformative agenda with its innovative and sustainable products and services, sound environmental management, and by respecting human rights in its operations and supply chain.
2. Evaluating and prioritizing impact on the SDGs
Clariant’s priority Sustainable Development Goals
In 2019, Clariant further evaluated its business activities in relation to the SDGs — including the underlying 169 targets and the corresponding indicators — by reviewing the positive and negative impacts of its products and services, operations, value chain, corporate citizenship activities, and collaborations.
The analysis was done centrally by Corporate Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, and the outcome was reviewed and validated by Clariant’s Business Units, Group Technology & Innovation, and Corporate Planning & Strategy.
While Clariant contributes to all 17 SDGs in varying degrees, five priority SDGs were identified:
- SDG 3 »Good Health and Well-being« and SDG 12 »Responsible Consumption and Production«
- SDG 7 »Affordable and Clean Energy« and SDG 13 »Climate Action«
- SDG 9 »Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure«
The five goals are clustered in three groups because SDGs 3 and 12 and SDGs 7 and 13 cannot be seen in isolation in relation to their relevance for Clariant. In addition, certain Business Units also contribute to SDG 2 »Zero Hunger,« SDG 6 »Clean Water and Sanitation,« and SDG 15 »Life on Land.«
3. Addressing the SDGs in practice
Clariant’s strategy execution will result in positive progress toward the SDGs. For example, Clariant has set clear 2025 environmental targets for its operations that drive toward continuous improvements in energy reduction, climate action, and responsible consumption and production. These targets support SDG 7 »Affordable and Clean Energy,« SDG 13 »Climate Action,« and SDG 12 »Responsible Consumption and Production.« Read more in Planet
THE 17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Click on the colored SDGs to see examples of Clariant's contribution
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 15: Life on Land
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Sustainable Development
The company also helps its markets and customers advance sustainability with its EcoTain® products and the Portfolio Value Program. With its strong product stewardship and innovation capabilities, Clariant continuously develops products and solutions that support the sound management of chemicals and waste, reduce resource consumption, and improve production efficiency. Through these efforts, Clariant supports SDG 12 »Responsible Consumption and Production.« Read more in Manufactured Capital Clariant’s sunliquid® technology directly supports SDG 7 »Affordable and Clean Energy« and SDG 13 »Climate Action.« Read more in Catalysis
Clariant’s contribution to the SDGs is further illustrated with practical examples throughout the Integrated Report. The company’s holistic approach to risk management, its high-performing catalysts, and its natural clay bentonite all address SDG 9 »Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure« and SDG 12 »Responsible Consumption and Production.« Read more in Environmental Protection and Resources, Customer Relationships and Digitalization With its EcoCircle initiative, which tackles the plastic waste problem, Clariant supports SDG 12 »Responsible Consumption and Production« and links to SDG 17 »Partnerships.« Read more in Circular Economy By developing new business in the biotechnology and biofuel sector, the company contributes to SDG 12 »Responsible Consumption and Production.« Read more in Innovation and Technological Advances In addition, its natural active ingredients support SDG 3 »Good Health and Well-being« and are linked to SDG 15 »Life on Land.« Read more in Product Stewardship/Sustainable Chemistry By making the delivery of materials safer, Clariant tackles SDG 3 »Good Health and Well-being« and SDG 9 »Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.« Read more in Occupational Health, Safety, and Well-being The company also contributes to SDG 8 »Decent Work and Economic Growth« and SDG 9 »Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure« by providing fair working conditions and continuous learning opportunities, by upholding growth and profitability, and by investing in digitalization. Read more in Talent Attraction and Development and Growth and Profitability
Stakeholders are people or groups whose interests are linked in various ways with those of a company. They include shareholders, business partners, employees, neighbors, and the community. View entire glossary
The value chain describes the series of steps in the production process, from raw materials through the various intermediate stages to the finished end product. View entire glossary
A substance that lowers the activation energy, thereby increasing the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed by the reaction itself. View entire glossary