SDGs: Contributing to a more sustainable future

Contributing to a more sustainable future

We believe that good chemistry contributes to the prosperity and well-being of a sustainable society. Our commitment to a sustainable future focuses on the six UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where our company and our products make the biggest contribution.

A focused approach

In 2019, Nouryon conducted a Materiality Assessment amongst internal and external stakeholders to identify the issues that are of most importance to the company, such as health and safety; sustainable innovation and product development; and energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Combined with our market-focused company strategy, this helped identify the UN Sustainable Development Goals where we can have the most impact.

Nouryon is committed to transparency and discloses its sustainability progress in an annual Sustainability Report, which is assured by an independent third party and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data sheet.

UN Global Compact

We are a signatory of the UN Global Compact and follow the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) disclosure standards. As of July 2021, we report our climate actions to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). In addition, we have started on our Task Force on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting journey.

Our contribution - by goal

SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

We have a solid portfolio that brings essential functionalities to our customers, including crop nutrients, sustainable adjuvants, and biodegradable, non-flammable solvents with safe toxicological profiles. For example, our solutions help plants grow by providing nutrients to safely increase agricultural productivity and yields using fewer resources. These solutions also improve overall soil health, resulting in a reduced need for plowing and less erosion over time.

SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

We prioritize health and safety in our operations and are an industry leader when it comes to people safety. We also provide a range of essential ingredients for cleaning, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and food. These include safer, bio-based cleaning and personal care products; products that contribute to the controlled release of active ingredients in pills, insulin production, and iron fortification in staple foods; and ingredients used in water treatment. We are also a founding member of Smarter Futures, which focuses on improving the health of women and children in Africa suffering from iron and folate deficiency.

SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

We believe that business performance and sustainability go hand in-hand. As part of our new strategy, we aim to create sustainable growth in emerging markets such as China and India. We also work to empower employees and create a high-performing, inclusive, and diverse workplace that reflects the global nature of our company and customers.

SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

A sustainable future will require new products and processes. We develop new products which contribute to a more sustainable society, such as bio-based and biodegradable ingredients for cleaning products and ingredients that help infrastructure last longer and use less energy.

SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

As the “industry of industries,” the chemicals sector plays a key role in enabling more sustainable and circular production. Improving the eco-efficiency of our factories is a key component of our approach to sustainability. We continuously innovate to create more sustainable and circular products, for example by using renewable feedstocks like cellulose instead of fossil based feedstocks, and circular production methods, such as co-locating with customers to minimize transport and create shared resource models.

SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

We recognize that climate change has a fundamental impact on the global environment, society, and business economics and we do our part to combat it by reducing greenhouse gas emissions along our value chain. In support of the UN Paris Climate Agreement, we have reduced our absolute carbon footprint over the past decade. We are committed to reaching our target of an additional 25% carbon emission reduction between 2020 and 2025 by adopting new technologies and more efficient processes and sourcing more low-carbon energy. In addition to improving our own operational footprint, we make many products that help our customers become more sustainable. For example, our products increase light weighting and enhance durability and yield of products, helping customers significantly reduce their energy, fuel, and resource consumption.

Reducing carbon footprint

Agriculture

Building and infrastructure

Cleaning

Personal care

Packaging materials

Paints, coatings and inks

Polymer production and processing

Oil, gas and mining

Food

Pulp and paper

Transportation

Other markets

Bleaching and oxidizing chemicals and technologies

Specialty polymers

Surfactants and chelating agents

Polymer production and processing chemicals

Specialty chemicals and intermediates

Careers at Nouryon

Why join us

For applicants

Sustainability approach

Improving safety and environment

Engaging people, partners, and society

Sustainability reporting

Strategy and values

Sustainability and innovation

Organization

Investors

Procurement

More about Nouryon

News and events

In Social Media

Media resources

Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals

Contributing to a more sustainable future

A focused approach

UN Global Compact

Our contribution - by goal

SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Learn more - Nouryon's sustainability pillars

Improving our safety performance and environmental footprint

Growing our sustainable solutions

Engaging people, partners, and society

Nouryon awarded 2021 EcoVadis Gold rating for its sustainability achievements

Strengthening our sustainability commitment by joining the United Nations Global Compact.

Nouryon awarded Responsible Care® Merit Award in China

New low-dioxane degreasers and cleaners help customers comply with regulations

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