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Contributing to Sustainable Development

Clariant is committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations member states. Drafted in 2015, these 17 goals outline a clear path to a more sustainable future, while also offering key business opportunities for the company.

1. Tapping into market potential

The business community recognizes that the SDGs offer powerful avenues to unleash innovation and growth. The Business & Sustainable Development Commission’s »Better Business, Better World« report articulated this potential, estimating that USD 12 trillion of additional market value could be generated by 2030 if the SDGs are achieved.

The SDGs offer a global framework for our most pressing societal and environmental needs, expressing them in a common language and clear set of actions for all . Clariant is committed to working toward this transformative agenda with its innovative and sustainable products and services, sound environmental management, and commitment to uphold human rights across its operations and supply chain.

2. Impact on the SDGs prioritized

Clariant evaluated its business activities in relation to the SDGs – including the 169 underlying targets and corresponding indicators – by evaluating the impacts, both positive and negative, of its products and services, operations, , corporate citizenship activities, and collaborations. The analysis was performed, reviewed, and validated by various Service Units and all Business Units.

Clariant’s priority Sustainable Development Goals

While Clariant contributes in some respect to every SDG, six 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«
  • SDG 17 »Partnerships for the Goals «

Four of the relevant goals are paired (SDG 3 and SDG 12; SDG 7 and SDG 13), as their relevance to Clariant cannot be evaluated independently of the other. In addition, certain Business Units also contribute to SDG 2 »Zero Hunger,« SDG 6 »Clean Water and Sanitation,« and SDG 15 »Life on Land.«

Examples of how Clariant drives change towards the SDGs are further illustrated online

Clariant’s contribution to SDG 3 is further illustrated in the story »« which highlights some of the company’s actions and the special efforts of its employees to keep people and workplaces safe while running the businesses during the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

Clariant’s contributions to SDG 7, SDG 13, SDG 9, and SDG 17 are exemplified in the story »« which sheds light on the potential of hydrogen to revolutionize the entire energy system. It explains why, how, and where hydrogen will be generated, transported, stored, and used and how Clariant will contribute to the hydrogen future. 

The story »« shows how Clariant, together with its stakeholders along the plastics value chain, contributes to SDG 3, SDG 12, and SDG 17. It illustrates how smart chemistry and companies like Clariant can offer new ways to improve both the use of plastics and their recycling.

3. Addressing »Good Health and Well-being« and »Responsible Consumption and Production«

Its strong product stewardship and innovation capabilities enable Clariant to continuously develop products and solutions that support the sound management of chemicals and waste, reduce resource consumption, improve production efficiency, and offer safer chemistry alternatives. The company’s EcoTain® products and Portfolio Value Program are helping its markets and customers advance sustainability. Through these efforts, Clariant supports both SDG 12 »Responsible Consumption and Production« and SDG 3 »Good Health and Well-being.« Read more in , and

By offering a continuously expanding circular product portfolio and exploring promising options, partnerships, and areas for growth and innovation, Clariant contributes to a circular economy. With EcoCircle, a company-wide initiative to support the circular plastics economy, Clariant demonstrates its commitment to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics along the entire value chain. With this initiative, Clariant supports SDG 12 »Responsible Consumption and Production« and links to SDG 17 »Partnerships.« Read more in

4. Progressing on »Affordable and Clean Energy« and »Climate Action«

Clariant has set clear 2025 environmental targets for its operations that drive toward continuous improvements in energy consumption, waste generation, water consumption, and wastewater generation. After thorough analysis, Clariant decided to upgrade its climate ambition ahead of its 2025 target date. To this end, new ambitious science-based targets were submitted to the Science Based Target initiative at the end of 2020 and announced in February 2021. The new targets set out significant absolute reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by 40% for own operations (Scope 1 & 2) and 14% for supply chain activities (Scope 3). Read more in Natural Capital (, ) and Clariant’s EcoTain®-labeled sunliquid® technology is a great example. It converts agricultural residues into climate-friendly biofuels and biochemical intermediates. Read more in

With these activities, Clariant directly supports SDG 7 »Affordable and Clean Energy« and SDG 13 »Climate Action,« and also contributes to SDG 12 »Responsible Consumption and Production.«

5. Focusing on »Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure«

As a key sustainability enabler for other industry sectors, innovation is vital in the chemical industry. Examples of innovation include the company’s high-performing , its sunliquid® second-generation (2G) biofuel technology, and its various regional R&D hubs, which all address SDG 9 »Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.« The company also advances this SDG by investing in digitalization, not only in operations but also in all interactions with stakeholders. In fact, due to COVID-19, digital customer approaches have become the new norm. These efforts also contribute to SDG 12 »Responsible Consumption and Production.« Read more in and Intellectual Capital (, )

6. Supporting »Partnerships for the Goals «

Collaborations are key to develop and deliver products and services that meet market needs and to advance sustainable development. Clariant continuously seeks and engages in partnerships with customers, suppliers, universities, and other research institutes as well as peers who enhance its transformation road map in the areas of innovation and sustainability.

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 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Goal 13: Climate Action

Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals 

Sustainable Development

Source: United Nations Department of Public Information

Stakeholder

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

Value chain

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

Catalyst

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

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