Standing up for human rights and a socially responsible, sustainable and environmentally friendly globalisation: by joining the United Nations Global Compact on 24 May, the Zschimmer & Schwarz Group, a worldwide supplier of chemical specialities and auxiliaries, is emphasising its commitment to shaping the future with a focus on sustainability and responsibility for society. The company’s dedication to these causes has a long history.

The United Nations Global Compact is the world’s biggest initiative for sustainable and responsible corporate governance. By joining the initiative, the participating companies and organisations undertake to integrate the ten binding principles from the areas of human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and anti-corruption in their corporate strategies and to implement them in their daily economic activities. The participants also support the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) postulated by the United Nations. Zschimmer & Schwarz has a long tradition of entrepreneurial commitment and sustainability since its foundation in 1894. The family-owned company's participation in the Global Compact is a further testament to these principles.

“We are a global player with global responsibility. Our corporate values require us to guarantee coming generations a liveable future”, explains Dietmar Clausen, General Manager Finance of Zschimmer & Schwarz. “By joining the United Nations Global Compact, we want to emphasise our commitment to sustainable corporate governance.” 

Dr Martin Haberl, General Manager Sales & Marketing of Zschimmer & Schwarz, agrees: “Our participation in the Global Compact is not merely lip service, but actually a steadfast commitment. The name Zschimmer & Schwarz has been standing for trust, tradition, innovation and respect since the company’s foundation. Our promise is to contribute to an environmentally and socially responsible globalisation.” 

“We carry the responsibility for our employees, customers and partners all around the world”, adds Wolfgang Nowak, the General Manager Operations of the corporate group. “Yet, we will only succeed in shaping the future if the focus is on people and the environment. Joining the Global Compact has made our family-owned business part of a global family of more than 15,000 members across more than 160 countries who share this view.”

The many projects that have been implemented since the company's foundation are testament to the social commitment and sustainable action of Zschimmer & Schwarz. The philanthropic programme of the shareholder families, which was started in 2019 at the occasion of the company's 125th anniversary, is an impressive example: the 1,400 employees across all of the company’s international locations were called upon to suggest regional projects for financial support from Zschimmer & Schwarz. The initiative is going to enter its second round in January 2022 and will be continued afterwards. Since the programme was launched, 14 social projects have been supported with a total funding of around 200,000 Euro.