Zschimmer & Schwarz, a global supplier of specialty chemicals and additives, is sending a strong signal in support of global climate protection. The long-established company has officially submitted its Commitment Letter to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). With this step, Zschimmer & Schwarz has committed to set near-term company-wide emission reductions in line with the SBTi’s strict, science-based criteria and aligning them with the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Agreement. 

“There is no alternative to the transformation of the chemical industry towards sustainable, cyclic economies creating synergies between economy and ecology. We are addressing this challenge with the courage to pursue new solutions and the commitment to leverage our more than 130 years of experience as the foundation for a sustainable future. Sustainability is not an optional extra, but one of the main pillars of our corporate strategy. We are therefore committed to setting company-wide emissions reduction targets in line with the SBTi,” says Dr. Christoph Riemer, Chief Executive Officer of the Zschimmer & Schwarz Group.

This commitment marks the start of the target-setting journey, a process which the company aims to complete by the end of this year. In doing so, the company is taking a holistic view of the entire value chain:

• Ambitious goals: Setting specific reduction pathways for the company’s own emissions (Scope 1 and 2) as well as for the upstream and downstream value chain (Scope 3)

• Intensification of efforts: In addition to ongoing energy efficiency measures, Zschimmer & Schwarz is committed to low-emission investment planning, for instance by introducing an internal carbon price, amongst others 

• Transparency through data: The standardized calculation of product carbon footprints (PCF) enables the company to effectively manage progress at the product level and present it transparently to customers

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Zschimmer & Schwarz is consistently advancing the transformation of its portfolio. A particular focus is on advancing biodegradability and increasing the use of renewable raw materials. The goal is to actively help shape the transition to sustainable chemistry.