This objective is a key component of Evonik’s new 2020+ Climate and Sustainability Strategy, which calls for climate-friendly optimization of internal production processes as well as an expansion of the product portfolio with particular sustainability benefits. With its commitment to the provisions of the Paris Climate Agreement, Evonik reaffirms its claim to be a driver for solving urgent questions of the future. Moreover, the company’s new strategy meets the rising customer demand for sustainable applications.

“We already generate about half of our revenues with products and solutions that are known to contribute to improved resource efficiency in applications,” says Thomas Wessel, who is responsible for corporate sustainability in his capacity as chief human resources officer of Evonik. “Our aim is to further expand the share of such products. The specialty chemicals industry plays a key role in climate protection as an enabler of progress in many other sectors.”

Evonik 2020+ also introduces an internal CO₂ price to create the corresponding internal incentives, which will allow for anticipating future emissions price developments in important investment decisions. “We want to make sustainability an even greater part of our company’s management, ranging from incentive systems to innovation processes and key investments,” Wessel says.

Evonik has not only established new targets for climate protection, but will also focus on water as an essential process resource. Whether for cooling, processing or in steam generation – the chemical industry relies heavily on water. A global water management system will therefore replace the previous reduction goals for specific consumption. The company is in the process of creating customized prevention plans for the respective Evonik sites to avoid water stress in the long term.

On the product side, Evonik is expanding the lifecycle analysis of its portfolio, which also includes scrutinizing the contributions of its products and solutions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over 80 percent of Evonik’s consolidated sales already have a positive impact on the 17 target categories of the SDGs. The following 4 SDGs are particularly relevant for Evonik’s business activities: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Good health and well-being, and Clean water and sanitation. Some 60 percent of Group sales already account for those four goals.