Net zero by 2050
To contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet, we are embedding circularity into our operations. Not only does this support our goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, it also drives reduced waste, water and energy consumption.
Reducing our GHG emissions
Our approach to carbon stewardship extends throughout our entire value chain, from raw material extraction to manufacturing, product delivery and product end-of-life. Across each of the following points we look to monitor and reduce our carbon footprint.
The initiatives we’re focused on include sustainable carbonaceous material Continua™ SCM, providing circularity to our customers, taking end of life tires and turning it into a product that can be used over and over, bio based materials and renewable feedstocks, ensuring our factories have the capability of using these feedstocks and providing renewable materials to our customers.”
How we will achieve net zero carbon emissions
Our strategy for reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to achieve net zero remains anchored by the 4Rs: Research, Reduce, Replace and Repurpose.
Targeting a reduction in emissions over the coming decades, we will focus on decarbonizing our business and decoupling our emissions from our production levels. Achieving this requires industry collaboration, so we are engaging experts and creating long-term partnerships to reach our goal.
Our net zero GHG emissions strategy
Research
We will research new ways to capture and convert carbon emissions.
A significant part of our net zero target will come from future technologies that capture and convert carbon dioxide into valuable carbon products. We will focus on investing in and developing these technologies and assets.
Reduce
We will reduce our dependence on traditional manufacturing processes.
We will continue to focus on optimizing processes for converting carbon to carbon black, and to prioritize energy efficiencies throughout our operations.
Replace
We will replace our current energy and feedstock with low-carbon solutions.
We will focus on adding renewable energy solutions, and shifting a portion of our production to alternative feedstocks derived from biomass.
Repurpose
We will repurpose materials through a circular approach.
Through creating more circular products, like Continua™ 8000, we will enable our customers to develop the next generation of sustainable products. Our carbon black boosts product longevity, preventing end-of-life materials going to landfill.
Our progress so far
We improved our energy conversion efficiency in FY2023 as compared to FY2022 as a result of our focus on operational excellence and equipment upgrades. We invested in energy efficiency projects at our sites and remain a net energy positive business.
We continue to research bio-based feedstocks for carbon black production, expand Continua™ SCM with our customers, and invest in circular products like the nanocellulose dispersion composite (NDC™) rubber masterbatch with GranBio Technologies.
We developed a Green Finance Framework that demonstrates best market practices and requirements in relation to international principles.
We completed a comprehensive GHG inventory to assess all Scope 3 categories and underwent third-party validation of our Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions.
A unified approach to sustainability
Our net zero ambitions align with the Paris Agreement. We are also aligned with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project SDG Roadmap, which aims to address the social and environmental impacts of tires by 2050. This supports our environmental commitments as we Share the Strength of our leadership capabilities for a greener future.
With operations in 14 countries on six continents, we have a highly complex supply chain. We have partnered with EcoVadis to facilitate sharing of sustainability best practices and to assess the sustainability profile of our key suppliers as part of our Sustainable Procurement program.
Over 160 years of extraordinary innovation in the carbon black industry, coupled with decades of focus on sustainability, makes our net zero goal not just aspirational, but achievable.
Using the results of our LCAs, we have developed Carbon Footprint Statements for carbon black and Continua™. These statements are publicly available as a tool to help our customers determine the complete carbon footprint of their own products. It also ensures we are communicating transparently on our impacts.
