“Driving Sustainable Growth”: Röhm publishes 2023 Non-Financial Declaration

• Progress in all ESG areas
• Sustainable product range expanded
• Diversity & Inclusion policy introduced

Röhm, a leading company in the methacrylate chemicals industry, has published its Non-Financial Declaration (NFD) for the 2023 financial year with the title “Driving Sustainable Growth”. The report explains Röhm’s objectives and progress in all key ESG (environment, social, governance) areas. “Environmental protection, social responsibility and good corporate governance – at Röhm, we see sustainable business practices as a basis for profitable growth and an opportunity to offer innovative solutions that set us apart from our competitors,” says COO Hans-Peter Hauck.

As an international company, Röhm is voluntarily reporting in accordance with the globally recognized Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting standard for the second time. This year’s report shows that the company has once again made progress in all ESG reporting areas. In the area of Environment, Röhm placed particular emphasis on further expanding its sustainable product portfolio, developing its climate strategy and defining a detailed action plan. The company was also able to make some significant progress in the areas of Diversity & Inclusion and Governance. Furthermore, 2023 again saw the company’s comprehensive commitment recognized with the Ecovadis “Gold” rating.

2023 ESG activity milestones at a glance:

Decarbonization: Röhm confirmed its ambitious climate target to reduce its carbon footprint by 30 percent by 2030 (“Track 2030” strategy). The NFD outlines specific options for reducing emissions as part of a detailed action plan. This comprehensive analysis emphasizes Röhm’s serious efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Circular economy: Röhm intensified its commitment to the circular economy and expanded its sustainable product range. Several products containing recycled materials were launched on the market in the course of the reporting year. The product range available under the brand add-on label “proTerra” now includes seven different products from across the Röhm Group’s business areas. The sites in Worms and Wesseling were also ISCC-PLUS-certified. This enables Röhm to offer its customers products, which meet this high standard and have a 25 percent smaller footprint due to the fact that they contain 30 percent bio-circular raw materials.

Water: Water is a key component of many of Röhm’s production processes. For this reason, the company carried out a water stress analysis for the first time this year. All 13 global production sites were looked at. The aim of the analysis was to identify potential risks associated with water scarcity, quality and access.

Diversity & Inclusion (D&I): Röhm stepped up its activities in the area of Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) and introduced a D&I policy. This contains guidelines for management and employees aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion at Röhm.

Transparent supply chain: Röhm intensified its efforts to ensure a transparent and responsible supply chain. Around 300 new suppliers were subject to a prequalification process in the reporting year. This involved assessing potential risks relating to corruption and bribery, the environment, human and labor rights, occupational safety, and other aspects. Meeting these criteria is an essential prerequisite for working with Röhm.

Governance and safety All of Röhm’s business activities are based on legally compliant processes and a robust corporate governance system as well as the safety of all those who work at the company. Röhm further expanded its international whistleblowing system in the reporting year.

“We are proud of the milestones we have achieved and will continue doing everything we can to promote processes, technologies and practices that drive forward sustainable transformation. An example of this is the construction of our LiMA plant for the production of MMA, where a resource-saving process developed by Röhm is set to be used for the first time. All of these activities and projects reflect our firm belief that sustainable business practices are an ongoing commitment. It allows us to lay the foundations for sustainable growth and lead Röhm successfully into the future,” summarizes COO Hans-Peter Hauck.

Röhm’s NFD is available on the company website and provides detailed insights into the company’s sustainability strategy, goals and key performance indicators.