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.

Nouryon supports all UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and below you find some examples where we believe our company and products can and do contribute the most.

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.

A closer look at our contribution - examples

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

We have a strong portfolio that includes crop nutrients, adjuvants, and nonflammable solvents that are biodegradable and/or made from renewable resources 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 in people safety. We provide a range of essential ingredients for cleaning, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and food. These include: safer, biobased cleaning and personal care products; products that contribute to the controlled release of active ingredients in medication, including insulin purification and iron fortification in staple foods; and ingredients used in water treatment. We are also a founding partner of Smarter Futures, an NGO addressing nutritional deficiency in Africa.

SDG 4:Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.

Our learning and development approach offers employees both short-term and long-term capability building. We provide a broad range of opportunities for employees at all our locations worldwide, including on-the-job experience-based training, blended programs, online learning, specialist (virtual) classroom training, and mandatory compliance courses. Our employee-led Business Resource Groups (BRGs) include Nouryon Women’s Network, Nouryon Veterans, Nouryon Pride (LGBTQ) and BOOST (young professionals). A key focus area of Nouryon’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework is STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, which we support in our communities through volunteerism, engagement, and corporate giving.

SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Our approach to inclusion and diversity is codified in our Code of Business Conduct & Ethics, which clearly states that we respect and value all employees, irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. We provide training on how to maintain a respectful and inclusive workplace as well as how to identify and report potential harassment and discrimination. In addition to offering equal opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development, we support diversity within our Company through initiatives, e.g. the Nouryon Women’s Network.

SDG7: Affordable and clean energy

We leverage renewable energy and will continue to increase its use in the years ahead in line with the targets we have set to reduce our carbon emissions. Additionally, our solutions are essential to the efficient use of energy as well as the transition to renewable energy sources. For example, Nouryon’s solutions are used to help make buildings and vehicles more energy efficient and to improve solar panels and the durability of wind turbines.

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

We believe that business performance , safety, and sustainability are all related, and that growth leads to more employment opportunities. As part of our strategy, we aim to create sustainable growth in emerging markets. We also work to empower employees and create a safe, highperforming, 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 innovative products which contribute to a more sustainable society, such as bio-based and biodegradable ingredients for cleaning products and ingredients that help at enhance infrastructure durability and energy efficiency. Our solutions are also integral to products related to the transition to renewable energy sources like wind turbines, high-voltage cables, and solar panels.

SDG 10:Reduce inequality within and among countries

We aim to create sustainable growth in emerging markets. We invest in our facilities and provide safe working conditions and diverse workplaces that reflect the global nature of our Company and customers.

SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

The chemistry sector plays a key role in enabling more sustainable and circular production, for which we continually innovate. Improving the eco-efficiency of our factories is a key component of our approach to sustainability and circularity. For example, we use renewable feedstocks, such as cellulose instead of fossil-based. We also co-locate with customers to minimize transport-related emissions and create shared resource models.

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

We aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout our value chain. Over the past decade, we reduced our absolute carbon footprint in support of the UN Paris Agreement. We are committed to reaching our 2025, 2030 and 2050 carbon emission reduction targets by adopting new technologies and more efficient processes and through sourcing more low-carbon energy. Aside from improving our own operational footprint, our products help our customers become more sustainable, for example, by decreasing weight and enhancing product durability and yield. This helps customers significantly reduce their energy, fuel, and resource consumption.

Materiality Assessment

Identifying key sustainability issues that are most important to our company and where we can make a difference in our operations or through our products.

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Agriculture and food

Home and Personal care

Paints and coatings

Building and infrastructure

Polymer specialties

Oil, gas and mining

Pulp, paper and packaging

Transportation

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Bleaching and oxidizing chemicals and technologies

Specialty polymers

Surfactants and chelating agents

Polymer production and processing chemicals

Specialty chemicals and intermediates

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Engaging people, partners, and society

Sustainability reporting

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Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals

Contributing to a more sustainable future

A focused approach

UN Global Compact

A closer look at our contribution - examples

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 4:Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.

SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

SDG7: Affordable and clean energy

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 10:Reduce inequality within and among countries

SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

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

Materiality Assessment

Identifying key sustainability issues that are most important to our company and where we can make a difference in our operations or through our products.

Learn more - Nouryon's sustainability pillars

Improving our safety performance and environmental footprint

Growing our sustainable solutions

Engaging people, partners, and society

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