Resource Efficiency and Environmental Protection

Clariant is strongly committed to environmental sustainability and ethical practice. Interest of investors, customers, and other stakeholders in sustainability topics has been on the rise for years and is growing further. The company follows a responsible approach to resources and the environment. It increasingly employs environmental management systems for responsible energy and water consumption; waste reduction; and the prevention of pollution, toxic and other emissions to air and soil, and further ecosystem impacts. The corresponding technological and behavioral changes affect Clariant’s complete value chain, from the raw material feedstock to the end-consumer markets.

Management approach

Management approach

To minimize negative effects on the environment and to safeguard natural resources, Clariant relies on top Management’s attention and a corporate culture that prioritizes environmental stewardship.

In 2022, Clariant incorporated its Environment, Safety, and Health Affairs (ESHA) department into the service unit Group Innovation & Sustainability. During 2021, the department was part of the service unit Group Operational Excellence. The company took this step to increase synergies and ensure continuous focus and attention from the Executive CommitteeExecutive CommitteeManagement body of joint stock companies; at Clariant the Executive Committee currently comprises four members.View entire glossary . Specialized ESHA teams in the business units and country organizations set and monitor the standards for managing environmental protection and resources. There are quarterly coordination meetings between corporate, regional, and business unit ESHA teams. Full operational responsibility, however, lies with each site, which also nominates a responsible person for day-to-day topics. Business unit ESHA teams have very regular, sometimes weekly, meetings with the individual sites. By 2021, all sites had achieved an external certification and ope­rated along the ISO 14001 standard.

Clariant regularly monitors progress toward its sustainability targets. In 2021, the company developed a new internal dashboard, the »Sustainable Operations Cockpit« (SOC). It allows for a monthly update and monitoring of Scope 1 and 2 emissions on an aggregated level by business unit, site or plant, and type of energy. The SOC also monitors other sustainability KPIs at the site level, which contribute significantly to Clariant’s 2030 sustainability targets. In addition, the Clariant Project Tracking Tool (CPTT) tracks the implementation of individual improvement projects related to environmental performance and the related improvements themselves. Regarding Scope 3 emissions, a dashboard for purchased emissions was also developed to monitor progress on a monthly basis.

New sustainability targets

New sustainability targets

In 2021, Clariant published new sustainability targets. They are the result of a collaboration between Group Procurement and Innovation. These targets put Clariant on the path to achieve its vision of becoming a climate-neutral company by 2050.

In line with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTiSBTiThe Science Based Targets Initiative is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi is the lead partner of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign - an urgent call to action from a global coalition of UN agencies, business and industry leaders, mobilizing companies to set net-zero science-based targets in line with a 1.5°C future. More information: https://sciencebasedtargets.orgView entire glossary ), the com­pany’s new science-based targets demand ambitious absolute reductions by 2030, compared to 2019:

  • Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions – 40 %
  • Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions from purchased goods and services – 14 %

Furthermore, Clariant has set itself more sustainable operations targets for the period 2019–2030, measured by impact per ton of production:

  • Water intake (without »pass-through« cooling water) – 20 %
  • Wastewater generation – 25 %
  • Share of sites in areas of high water stress that apply advanced water management 100 %
  • Landfilled nonhazardous waste – 40 %
  • Hazardous waste – 25 %
  • Nitrogen oxide emissions – 30 %

All business units have developed a roadmap toward these 2030 sustainability goals. In this context, they defined improvement projects, planned their implementation, calculated medium-term investments, and named specific intermediate reduction targets for 2022.

Overall, guided by its ambitious targets, Clariant’s environmental performance has improved significantly over the last 15 years. The investments related to environment, safety, and health amounted to CHF 36.5 million in 2021, including CHF 21.2 million for environmental protection. The expenditures for environment, safety, and health protection in operative facilities amounted to over CHF 131.1 million, including CHF 78.2 million for environmental protection.

Since 2019, Clariant has made progress related to science-based and sustainable operations targets. Figure 004

Since 2019, CO2 emissions (Scope 1 & 2) increased by 3 %, while the production volume increased by 8 %. The under-proportional increase in GHG emissions has been achieved by an accelerated transition to renewables, driven by a transition from coal to bio­diesel and a higher share of green electricity. Both Energy Attributes Certificates (EACs) and a higher share of green electricity supplied via the grid contributed. A hazardous waste generation increase is driven by a new product line in the Business AreaBusiness AreaFor the financial reporting, Clariant grouped its businesses in three core Business Areas: Care Chemicals, Catalysis, and Natural Resources.View entire glossary CatalystCatalystA substance that lowers the activation energy, thereby increasing the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed by the reaction itself.View entire glossary .

004PROGRESS TOWARD 2030 TARGETS

graphic: Clariant: Progress towards 2030 targets: Greenhouse gas emissions, Hazardous waste generation, Water consumption, Non-hazardous waste generation, Wastewater generation, Scope 3, category 1 purchased goods and services, Sites in areas of high water stress that apply advanced water management, NO<sub>x</sub> emissions
Other goals and targets

Other goals and targets

Clariant abides by the principles of the Responsible Care® Global Charter, which was initiated by the members of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA). It creates a global vision and highlights the commitment of the industry to continuous improvement in the environmental, health, and safety performance of chemical producers worldwide.

Furthermore, Clariant adheres to its own goals and targets set in its Sustainability Policy, Code of EthicsCode of EthicsThe Code of Ethics is laying down Clariant’s commitments and is intended to be a guide with ethical principles and examples to enable all personnel and associated parties to act with the highest standards of integrity.View entire glossary , Internal ESHA Management System, ESHA Guidelines and Guides, internal audits, and bylaws of the Executive CommitteeExecutive CommitteeManagement body of joint stock companies; at Clariant the Executive Committee currently comprises four members.View entire glossary . They contain principles for environmental protection and prioritize measures that avoid or minimize negative environmental impacts. In 2020, the company finalized its internal quality audits, which are a central element of the ESHA management system.

Corporate programs of resource efficiency and environmental protection

Corporate programs of resource efficiency and environmental protection

To reduce energy consumption, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce waste streams, Clariant has set up long-­running lead initiatives within the business units, such as eWATCH™ and the Clariant Production System Yield, Energy, Environment (YEE) initiative. At the end of 2021, in order to realize synergies, the new service unit Group Operational Excellence (GOE) took over the management of both these programs. They are now under the umbrella program »Sustainable Operations« within Group Innovation & Sustainability (GIS), which coordinates and consolidates the activities in all business units following sustainable operation roadmaps.

eWATCH™

eWATCH™

Since 2013, the program eWATCH™ has helped to minimize energy consumption and increase energy efficiency. It is a process to analyze energy consumption across operations and to identify cost-saving opportunities. Using eWATCH™, Group Operational Excellence (GOE) systematically assesses site maturity and proposes improvement measures along three dimensions: operating system, management system, and employee system. GOE also supports business units in providing investment roadmaps and evaluating technical savings potential to ensure the company achieves its new 2030 targets.

The Clariant Energy Intelligence Guide (CEIG), a component of the eWATCH™ employee system, supports careful management of the company’s energy demand. CEIG combines information, advice, best practices, and successful optimization projects, as well as key figures and tools that support energy efficiency. It enables users to systematically improve the energy efficiency of the equipment in use.

With its global initiative »eWATCH™ goes digital,« Clariant aims to profit from the latest measurement and monitoring technologies. They ensure full visibility and high granularity of energy generation and consumption. Analyses in this context show a savings potential of up to 10 % for energy and utilities as well as opportunities for lower costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Through Clariant Project Tracking Tool, Clariant measures the outcome of eWATCH™ by cost savings and project tracking (112 projects in 2021). Through Sustainable Operations Cockpit, Clariant measures the outcome of eWATCH™ by CO2 impact. Since 2013, Clariant has saved a total of CHF 38.4 million through eWATCH™ by implementing energy efficiency measures and energy-­purchasing optimizations. In 2021 alone, the savings amounted to CHF 4.5 million.

Clariant Production System Yield, Energy, Environment initiative (YEE)

Clariant Production System Yield, Energy, Environment initiative (YEE)

The Clariant Production System (CPS) is an important component of the Clariant Operational Excellence program. Its goal is to achieve the highest productivity and financial performance at the pro­duction sites by identifying, developing, and implementing good practices. Applying the CPS leads to improvements in safety, productivity, conversion costs, energy consumption, and product quality.

The Clariant Production System Yield, Energy, Environment (YEE) initiative is a holistic approach built on an organizational blueprint. It analyzes yield, energy, and the environment of a specific unit with the aim to find the overall maximum performance. For example, it defines the way to increase yields, improve energy efficiency, and reduce waste streams by analyzing production processes and production units. Group Operational Excellence systematically assesses the site maturity against the blueprint during routine site assessments and proposes improvement measures. This creates a comprehensive picture of energy opti­mization potential.

Since its inception in 2012, YEE has saved more than CHF 86 ­million. In 2021 alone, YEE allowed for cost savings of CHF 6 million.

Energy

Energy

Clariant continuously reduces energy consumption in its operations. The energy efficiency measures combined with the switch to renewable energy reduce Clariant’s financial risks deriving from carbon pricing. Additionally, the sustainable products provided by the company help customers to save energy in their own pro­duction processes.

For various sites, Clariant has been purchasing certificates for 100 % green electricity:

  • Since 2019: Knapsack, Germany; Jacarei and Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil
  • Since 2020: Aberdeen, UK; Novara, Italy; and Oberhausen, Germany
  • Since 2021: Bakersfield, Midland, and Reserve, US; and Suzano, Brazil

Other sites in Brazil and Mexico as well as the site at Bonthapally, India, partially use renewable electricity.

Furthermore, Clariant proceeded to certify its sites according to the new ISO 50001 standard for energy conservation. It passed the surveillance audits globally and prepared for the updated standard at various sites, primarily in Germany and Spain. By the end of 2021, around 25 % of production sites (including discontinued business units) were certified, and Clariant produced more than 35 % of its production volume at sites certified with ISO 50001.

Energy consumption

Energy consumption

Across the Group, Clariant records total energy consumption from energy sources. Since 2019, energy consumption per ton of produced goods has decreased by 5 %.

The company consumes energy in the form of process heat, steam, cooling, and electricity. As to process heat and steam, it uses direct primary energy sources to generate them or has them supplied by site service providers. Its main primary energy source is natural gas, while it uses coal only in very few locations. Clariant requires steam to heat reactors and separators, such as distillation columns. Wherever possible, it applies the remaining heat of the resulting condensate either for steam generation again or for internal heating purposes.

Electricity is required for electric motor drives in mixers, pumps, and other process-engineering equipment; for measurement and control technology; as well as for lighting. Clariant used 99.7 % grid energy in 2021, which is an indirect use of energy from different primary sources. Small energy procurements, such as transport services during business trips, are insignificant in Clariant’s overall energy balance. Clariant endeavors to increase its share of energy obtained from renewable sources on an ongoing basis. In 2021, it was at 9 %, considering all measured energy sources.

Energy consumption

    Continuing operations   Discontinued operations   Total 2021 1   2020   2019 1   2018   2017
Total energy consumption within the organization (in m kWh)   2 713   531   3 244   3 071 2   3 204   3 209   3 245
Relative energy consumption (in kWh/t production)   627   5 290   733   758   754   739   706
Total fuel consumption within the organization (in m kWh)   1 678   181   1 859   1 653   1 795   1 781   1 777
Oil   42   29   70   49   60   83   87
Natural gas   1 228   57   1 285   1 154   1 248   1 254   1 231
Diesel   119   9   128   95   113   54   57
Energy crops (bagasse/briquettes)   22   75   97   65   125   121   122
Other (e.g., coal, woodchips, waste)   267   11   279   289   235   269   280
Total electricity consumption (in m kWh)   548   62   610   626   704   768   844
Total steam consumption from outside the organization (in m kWh)   489   270   759   685   685   660   626
1 Every three years, Clariant validates environmental data from all production sites. The last full reporting campaign was in 2020, including estimated discontinued data for Business Unit MasterbatchesMasterbatchesThese are plastic additives in the form of granules with dyestuffs or other additives used to dye or alter the properties of natural plastic.View entire glossary for the first half-year. In interim years, including 2021, the reduced reporting scope comprises the larger sites responsible for at least 95 % of production.
2 First half-year 2020 data for Business Unit MasterbatchesMasterbatchesThese are plastic additives in the form of granules with dyestuffs or other additives used to dye or alter the properties of natural plastic.View entire glossary are estimated based on the last full reporting campaign in 2017.
Reductions in energy requirements of products and services

Reductions in energy requirements of products and services

Clariant evaluates the energy consumption of products through its Portfolio Value Program (PVP), which looks at energy consumption across the entire life cycle. The company aims to help its customers reduce their energy consumption. For this purpose, Clariant reworked its assessment criteria in 2021 and will implement them in 2022. Read more in Product Stewardship

Water

Water

Water management is a key topic for the chemical industry, as it uses water as a product ingredient and in numerous production processes that result in the release of wastewater effluents. Efficient water management protects resources and saves cost in wastewater treatment.

The importance of water management differs according to local conditions. Clariant therefore sets water intake targets on the local level, while it monitors regulatory developments on a regional and national level. The company has implemented strict environmental regulations to ensure that its activities have no measurable impact on the surrounding flora and fauna.

Clariant’s plants and office buildings are located almost exclusively in industrial parks or appropriate commercial districts with the required infrastructure. This includes a sufficient and stable water supply primarily from river water supplied via third parties, especially at large production sites. Before discharging the river water into the site’s piping system, it passes through various filter systems.

Clariant also systematically tracks water-related business impacts in annual surveys to regional ESHA teams and, where necessary, engages with relevant stakeholders within the organization to deal with specific water-related impacts. Site, regional, business unit, and corporate ESHA teams assess if water-related impacts are taken care of and if sites are prepared for future emergencies, such as storms that can result in the suspension of operations.

Water withdrawal and intake

Water withdrawal and intake

Clariant records the entire volume of water withdrawn and taken in. Before 2021, it included cooling water in the calculation of total water consumption, even though it returns most cooling water to the environment after use in cooling cycles (not contaminated pass-through water). For 2021, the company revised its definition of the indicator and changed the name to »water intake« to exclude pass-through cooling water (sustainability 2030 target KPI). In 2021, of the 15.4 million m3total water quantity that the company took in, it used about 8.3 % for cooling production plants, 68.3 % for production processes, and 23.4 % as a product com­ponent (sold with the product to customers) or for steam/ice generation, irrigation, or sanitary purposes. Water intake per ton of produced goods – one of the target KPIs – decreased from 2.35 m3in 2020 to 2.17 m3in 2021 due to water efficiency improvements and less water-intensive production processes.

For the majority of its operations, Clariant uses fresh water with a total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration of less than 1 000 mg/l. At only one site in Brazil, the company withdraws seawater and treats it before use, because there is no access to fresh water. The exact quality of the consumed water differs with each business and purpose and with the quality needed for the specific product portfolio and production process.

Water withdrawal and Intake

    Continuing operations   Discontinued operations   Total 2021 1   2020   2019 1   2018   2017
Total volume of water withdrawn (in m m3)   25.2   17.3   42.5   40.8 2   44.0 2   49.0 2   49.0 2
Surface water   n.a.   n.a.   6.8   6.3   7.5   8.0   7.6
Groundwater   n.a.   n.a.   5.2   5.2   5.7   8.9   9.1
Seawater   n.a.   n.a.   0.1   0.2   0.1   0.1   0.1
Third-party water   n.a.   n.a.   30.4   29.0   30.9   31.9   32.1
Total water intake/consumption (in m m3)   10.4   5.0   15.4 3   41.0   44.3   49.0   49.0
1 Every three years, Clariant validates environmental data from all production sites. The last full reporting campaign was in 2020, including estimated discontinued data for Business Unit MasterbatchesMasterbatchesThese are plastic additives in the form of granules with dyestuffs or other additives used to dye or alter the properties of natural plastic.View entire glossary for the first half-year. In interim years, including 2021, the reduced reporting scope comprises the larger sites responsible for at least 95 % of production.
2 The sum of water withdrawal sources does not equal the total water withdrawn due to the exclusion of an insignificant amount of rainwater as a withdrawal source.
3 2021 data is reported with a new definition of water intake without pass-through cooling water. Therefore, it is not comparable to previous years.
Wastewater management

Wastewater management

Clariant leads the water it has used in its various production processes into its comprehensive wastewater management. The company makes sure it follows local regulations regarding discharge limits at all production sites. It treats the priority substances of concern, as identified in the wastewater discharge permit, based on the type of industrial operation, not generalized at the Group level.

For assessing wastewater quality, it consolidates water quality indicators at the Group level, such as concentration of heavy metals, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, soluble salts, total sus­pended solids (TSS) as well as biological (BOD) and chemical oxygen demands (COD), which are the indicators of organic content in wastewater. For example, there were 2 046 t of COD discharged in the wastewater in 2021, which was a reduction of 18 % from 2020 to 2021 and coincided with a reduction of fees and production costs.

Before transferring the effluents to third party or municipal wastewater treatment plants, Clariant often pretreats wastewater at its own sites in a multi-stage chemical and physical procedure. Only small amounts of heavy metals remain in the discharged effluent, with concentrations partly at or below detection limits. In combi­nation with constant monitoring, this approach ensures that discharged wastewater does not impair receiving water bodies and ecosystems.

In 2021, wastewater generation per ton of production decreased to 1.5 m3 from 1.7 m3 in 2020.

Water discharge

    Continuing operations   Discontinued operations   Total 2021 1   2020   2019   2018   2017
Total volume of planned and unplanned water discharge to all areas (in m m3)   7.7   3.5   11.2   11.4   11.9   12.6   12.7
Surface water   n.a.   n.a.   7.5   7.7   7.9   8.2   10.0
Groundwater   n.a.   n.a.   n.a   n.a   n.a.   n.a.   n.a.
Seawater   n.a.   n.a.   0.5   0.4   0.5   0.5   0.6
Third-party water treatment   n.a.   n.a.   3.1   3.2   3.5   3.6   2.0
1 Every three years, Clariant validates environmental data from all production sites. The last full reporting campaign was in 2020, including estimated discontinued data for Business Unit MasterbatchesMasterbatchesThese are plastic additives in the form of granules with dyestuffs or other additives used to dye or alter the properties of natural plastic.View entire glossary for the first half-year. In interim years, including 2021, the reduced reporting scope comprises the larger sites responsible for at least
95 % of production.
Water risk management

Water risk management

In 2017, Clariant undertook a Group-wide water risk assessment, employing the Aqueduct Water Risk Map developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI). The tool locates the sites in water stress areas and calculates an overall water-risk score as a combination of quantity, quality, and regulatory and reputational risks. Clariant shortlists all sites that fall under the risk category of medium at a minimum. Regional water risk assessments refine the global outcome further with specific knowledge of the sites’ geography, water use, operations, revenue, and expenditure. Using this two-step risk assessment, Clariant then shortlists sites located in areas of high water risk and updates these water risk assessments every year.

The risk assessments revealed that in 2021, a fraction of Clariant production sites (<20 %) were situated in areas under water risk and that around 30 % of the total water intake from continuing business was from sites identified to be under water risk/stress. For these sites, the site management, together with the regional ESHA teams, has performed in-depth assessments since 2019 to conceptualize and execute water risk management at the site level. The aim is to manage risks responsibly, as the sustainability target KPIs for 2030 include a 100 % achievement of advanced water management at sites in areas of high water stress or risk. To ensure continuous operations in such areas, reducing water intake and increasing water reuse are essential.

Waste management

Waste management

Waste management is critical for Clariant: It relates to the com­pany’s sustainability commitment and has a direct link to disposal costs. Clariant’s waste management performance has improved continuously over recent years thanks to global programs and ongoing efforts at individual sites. During the development and manufacture of products, the company makes every effort to generate as little waste as possible. As part of the circular eco­nomy and according to its ESHA guideline on waste management, Clariant also tests options to use waste as a raw material, and always prioritizes waste avoidance, recycling, and reuse over disposal.

At the site level, the company minimizes waste generation through high-quality standards and comprehensive planning: Through the Yield, Energy, Environment Initiative (YEE), Clariant improves its yield and reduces its waste. It maintains waste cadasters at each production site and monitors the waste-related data in detail to enable proper classification and handling. Indicators include the weight of hazardous and nonhazardous waste by disposal method, the properties of waste components, and the number and volume of significant spills. Internal records document proper dis­posal according to local regulations.

Clariant adheres strictly to local regulations and thereby ensures that it disposes of its waste safely. Certified companies, which comply fully with all requirements of transport and waste legis­lation, transport its hazardous waste. Clariant arranges trans­portation according to the plant the waste originates from, the amounts that accrue during the period, the properties of waste components, and how the hazardous waste can be recycled or disposed of.

In 2021, Clariant’s waste generation decreased by 9 %, falling from 80.8 kg to 74.4 kg per ton of production. The total waste gener­ated increased by less than 1 % despite an significant increase in production. The decrease in hazardous waste generated is due to waste reduction projects at different sites. In addition, non­hazardous waste did not increase in proportion to the increase in production because more intermediates were sold in 2021 at Business Unit Functional Minerals sites. Most of Clariant’s nonhazardous waste is from the neutralization of acidic wastewater in the Business Unit Functional Minerals.

Waste by type and disposal method

in thousand t   Continuing operations   Discontinued operations   Total 2021   2020   2019 4   2018   2017
Total weight of hazardous waste, with a breakdown by the following disposal methods where applicable: 1   n.a.   n.a.   59   63   61   55   56
Recycling 2   n.a.   n.a.   13   17   16   23   23
Landfill 2   n.a.   n.a.   14   11   14   8   7
Treatment 2   n.a.   n.a.   33   35   31   37   41
Total weight of nonhazardous waste, with a breakdown by the following disposal methods where applicable: 1   n.a.   n.a.   270   259   277   177   142
Recycling 2   n.a.   n.a.   30   31   21   20   27
Landfill 2   n.a.   n.a.   226   221   248   148   107
Treatment 2   n.a.   n.a.   14   7   8   10   9
Total waste (hazardous and nonhazardous) 1   310   20   329 3   328   337 5   232   198
Total waste (hazardous and nonhazardous) (kg/t production) 1   72   195   74   81   79 5   53   43
1 Waste generated from Clariant activities
2 The listed waste-handling channels also contain waste from other producers on-site but managed by Clariant. This additional third-party waste is not reflected in the total waste figures.
3 The sum does not add up as the numbers are rounded.
4 Every three years, Clariant validates environmental data from all production sites. The last full reporting campaign was in 2020, including estimated discontinued data for Business Unit MasterbatchesMasterbatchesThese are plastic additives in the form of granules with dyestuffs or other additives used to dye or alter the properties of natural plastic.View entire glossary for the first half-year. In interim years, including 2021, the reduced reporting scope comprises the larger sites responsible for at least 95 % of production.
5 All figures are rounded, resulting in discrepancies between the total waste generated and the breakdown figures.
Pollution prevention

Pollution prevention

Clariant is committed to operating sustainably and decreasing pollution that results from its business activities. Decreasing pollution is not only a social mandate, but also required by legis­lation in many countries around the world. By preventing pollution, Clariant decreases risks to human health and the environment. Consequently, this also reduces the risk of potential liabilities and negative impacts on the brand.

Safety management system

Safety management system

Guaranteeing the safety of people and the environment is Clariant’s highest priority. An effective safety management system to identify, assess, and control risks in the production process is indispensable. In close cooperation with the European Process Safety Centre (EPSC), Clariant has helped to develop a simple and representative measurement system with the aim of establishing an industry-wide standard.

The system records and systematically assesses smaller substance and energy releases in order to avoid major incidents. It cat­e­go­rizes them as process safety events (PSEs) according to criteria stipulated by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) as part of the ongoing improvement for the process safety of production systems. In addition, Clariant has developed methodologies and standards to investigate PSEs with the aim of setting the adequate corrective measures to avoid the recurrence of such events at its sites and production plants.

In 2021, Clariant’s rate of process safety events increased from 0.36 to 0.46. In total number of cases, there were only six more cases (66) than during the pandemic year 2020. Of them, 91 % (60) had a low impact and, therefore, were in the lowest category. Significant process safety events for Clariant are those with a score of ≥ 3 points according to ICCA criteria. This definition changed in 2020, so numbers are not comparable with 2019. The process safety severity rate in 2021 decreased to 0.63 from 0.73 in 2020. After a process safety event, Clariant conducts an investigation to determine its roots and establish corrective measures to avoid recurrence.

Safety management

    Total 2021   2020   2019   2018   2017
Process safety event rate 1   0.46   0.36   0.48   0.46   0.35
Number of significant spills   6   17   2   4   3
Total volume of significant spills (m3) 2   13.24   78.69   1.30   6.70   110.15
1 Process Safety Event rate = Number of Process Safety Events * 100 / FTEs
2 All spills were contained on-site without any releases to the environment. Due to the new definition of significant process safety events (PSEs) and spills based on the ICCA criteria, all PSEs with a score of ≥3 points are considered significant. With this new definition, the numbers reported this year are not comparable with previous years and the difference is higher.

For 2021, the number of significant spills decreased from 17 to six with a total volume of 13.2 m3. Spills of liquids handled in Clariant’s production plants are process safety events that fall under the ICCA criteria. They can be of a diverse nature, but in 2021, all of them were contained on-site in paved areas and were adequately retained and treated according to local waste regulations. Nobody was hurt as a result of the spills.

Protection of ecosystems

Protection of ecosystems

Ecosystems provide a variety of critical resources and services such as clean water, energy, recreational areas, and protection from flooding. Clariant aims to monitor and remedy all impacts in order to maintain invaluable ecosystems.

Operational sites in protected areas

Operational sites in protected areas

Since all of Clariant’s sites are located in industrial parks or areas designated as industrial zones by local municipalities, they usually do not affect vulnerable ecosystems. However, the company tracks the number of chemical production sites in biological reserves or in areas with a high biodiversity value. In 2021, there were none.

Significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity

Significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity

If there are protected areas near Clariant’s sites, the company makes sure to follow local regulatory guidelines to prevent pollution in the protected areas. Where possible, it extends its monitoring along the value chain, for example, by evaluating products with its Portfolio Value Program (PVP).

If there are unprotected areas, like forests, in the immediate vicinity, Clariant ensures that its production sites do not have any appreciable adverse effect on the surrounding flora and fauna by following all local rules and regulations.

Palm oil

Palm oil

Clariant is aware of the potential impact of palm oil and its culti­vation on biodiversity. Therefore, the company is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and aims to prevent ecological degradation caused by the clearing of land for palm oil plantations. It emphasizes this palm oil policy in its first new Innovation Arena, which centers on the bio-based economy.

Bentonite

Bentonite

At bentonite mining locations, Clariant exceeds social and community expectations regarding the conservation of surrounding ecosystems. Clariant’s geologists develop plans to minimize environmental impact associated with drilling. This includes carefully removing the topsoil and overburden to preserve it for land restoration. During mining, Clariant ensures that the resident fauna can easily move to adjacent areas. It sun-dries the bentonite before transportation in order to reduce its weight.

When closing mines, Clariant collaborates with local experts to restore the land for forestry or agriculture. In certain areas (such as southern Bavaria), animals from the Red List of Threatened Species have repopulated after reclaiming. With these efforts, Clariant ensures healthy relationships with local communities and protects ecosystems.

Noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations

Noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations

Clariant has internal environmental, safety, and health control guidelines. They prevent breaches of internal and external regulations.

In 2021, Clariant had to pay zero substantial fines and was imposed six nonmonetary penalties for noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations.