Bakelite Synthetics Releases 2023 Sustainability Report
15 August 2024 - 4:22AM
Business Wire
The 2023 Bakelite Sustainability Report
Details 2023 Achievements, Outlines 2024 Initiatives and
Long-term Future Goals and Strategies
Bakelite Synthetics (“the Company”) today released its 2023
Sustainability Report, a detailed summary of its most significant
environmental, social and governance operations and activities of
2023 and key sustainability initiatives for 2024 and beyond.
Prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative
Standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the
2023 Sustainability Report demonstrates the Company’s commitment to
make significant contributions to a sustainable world.
“At Bakelite Synthetics, we seek to deliver innovative and
sustainable products that meet the world’s most challenging
demands. While meeting the many changing needs of our customers –
and doing so safely – we also made great progress towards our
sustainability goals,” said JP Aucoin, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Bakelite Synthetics. “Everything points to
strengthening our position as a global leader in the chemical
manufacturing industry, dedicated to making a difference in the
world today and in the future.”
“We empower our teams to identify opportunities to deliver on
our sustainability goals from their individual positions in the
business,” said Andrea Croslyn, Executive Vice President,
Sustainability and Business Processes. “We believe that the work
that we do in sustainability can and should also drive
profitability. We focus on opportunities that drive value for our
customers, the planet, and Bakelite Synthetics. As we deeply engage
with our stakeholders, we together uncover new ways to drive shared
value.”
Highlights from the 2023 Sustainability Report
include:
Environmental Impact: We take our responsibility to be stewards
of the environment seriously and remain focused on diligently
mitigating our impact across energy consumption, waste reduction,
and water management. We strive every day to create a safe and
sustainable environment for ourselves, our customers, and our
global communities
- Bakelite was named a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
ENERGY STAR program partner in 2023. As a result, we have pledged
to rigorously monitor energy performance and implement energy
management strategies based on ENERGY STAR guidelines.
- Additionally, the organization developed and launched renewable
energy initiatives at four sites.
- For the second year, we published our verified Scope 1-3
greenhouse gas emissions.
- We engaged with customers in the development of new products
with reduced carbon footprint, and defined sustainable attributes
across the product portfolio.
Social Impact: We strive to make Bakelite Synthetics a place
where associates can thrive and reach their full potential. Our
investments in health and safety, physical and mental well-being,
and professional career development demonstrate the value we place
on creating a workplace where associates feel challenged,
empowered, and supported. As a diverse and inclusive company, we
champion mutual respect and collaboration and promote giving back
to the communities where we operate.
- Embracing and celebrating our uniqueness is a fundamental value
of Bakelite Synthetics. In 2023, we created a framework for
Employee Resource Groups (ERG) at Bakelite Synthetics, and launched
our first ERG, the Bakelite Women’s Network.
- In 2023, we asked for feedback from our associates through the
inaugural Bakelite Associate Engagement Survey. The survey response
rate was 70%, and we are leveraging the feedback to formulate
improvements that will continue making Bakelite Synthetics a
supportive, engaging, and welcoming workplace.
- We seek to strengthen the communities in which we live and
work. More than 80% of our sites proudly participated in a
Community Service project in 2023.
- During 2023, Bakelite Synthetics hosted a series of ‘Bakelite
Sustainability Town Halls’ with interesting sessions that
highlighted a wide range of sustainability topics and initiatives
to our associates.
Governance: At Bakelite Synthetics, we understand the important
role of corporate governance and ethical behavior in strengthening
trust among our associates, customers, and shareholders — actions
guided by our core values.
- Focused on aligning ourselves with industry best practices and
standards, we launched the Responsible Care® program in North
America, and certified in Argentina to enhance safe chemicals
management and performance excellence.
- Recognizing cybersecurity remains a growing global concern, we
reinforced our internal IT security function through the
enhancement of our IT Security Committee as part of our ongoing ISO
27001 certification process.
- As Bakelite Synthetics continues to grow, we have focused on
strengthening our corporate policies. In 2023 we created an
improved Policy Framework, along with Policy Owner Guidelines, and
at the same time, upgraded the policy review and tracking
mechanisms for reviews and approvals.
- We know that sustainability success is the result of steady
continuous improvement across our business and geographies. With
the establishment of our 2030 goals, we have laid the foundation
for our work for the next several years and in 2023, we launched
improved reporting to track our sustainability performance.
Looking Ahead: 2024 and Beyond
From environmental stewardship, to our product portfolio, to the
health and safety of our associates, we are taking steps every day
in our sustainability journey. The path to sustainability is
ongoing, and while we celebrate our progress, we also acknowledge
the challenges that lie ahead. With a strong foundation in place
and a clear vision for the future, Bakelite Synthetics is more
equipped than ever to make significant contributions to a
sustainable world.
About Bakelite Synthetics
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Bakelite Synthetics is a leading
global integrated producer of thermoset specialty resins, solutions
and engineered thermoset molding compounds serving a variety of
segments and end markets across geographies. Additional information
about Bakelite Synthetics and its products is available at
www.bakelite.com.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240814487871/en/
Bakelite Media Contact: John Branham (404) 749-2516
john.branham@bakelite.com