Environment

The transition to a low carbon economy represents an opportunity for Elementis. Our products can help our customers and end-users do more with less, helping lower emissions throughout the value chain.

We are committed to lowering our impacts. Our ambition is for our greenhouse gas emissions to reach Net Zero by 2050 at the latest, and have validated our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions reduction targets with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Our science-based target is:

Elementis Plc commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 58.8% by 2034 from a 2024 base year. Elementis Plc also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions covering purchased goods and services, upstream transportation and distribution and waste generated in operations 35% within the same timeframe.

We have already made substantial reductions in our Scope 1 and 2 emissions – for example:

• Implementing a variety of energy efficiency measures in our sites
• Expanding our use of renewable and low carbon electricity
• Modifications to our processing conditions to reduce the amount of natural gas we use

We actively investigate options to substitute fossil fuels with other energy sources.

Emissions associated with the raw materials we purchase are the largest contributor to our total footprint. The detailed understanding of which raw materials are the largest emission contributors is enabling us to prioritise engagement with our supply chain to identify ways we can cooperate to reduce emissions.

In addition, many of our additives are designed to help our customers and end users save energy and material resources in their own processes, helping them progress on their climate goals.

We still have a lot to do to reach Net Zero – but we are on the way. 

We recognise the direct value that nature contributes to our business through the provision of naturally-derived materials that we use in our additives and ingredients. We are committed to minimising our negative impacts on the natural world.

Water is a critical resource. We seek to minimise the amount we use in our manufacturing. We have made large reductions in our water withdrawals, achieving this in three ways:

• Implementing water efficiency measures
• Recycling process water
• Developing dry products as an alternative to products in water solutions

In addition, some of our processes are water-free.  

We also work to minimise the use of toxic chemicals in our products. For example, as well as needing less water to manufacture, dry products do not suffer from microbial growth, thus avoiding the use of toxic biocides.

We are acutely aware of the pollution risk from some of the raw materials we handle and some of the products we make. We deploy a range of operational and infrastructure measures to prevent an accidental pollution incident occurring. We are committed to ensuring water discharge and emissions to air from our facilities meet prescribed pollutant limits. 

Biodiversity helps natural systems be more resilient to environmental changes. We work to minimise the risk to biodiversity. For example, we rescue any desert tortoises that find themselves inside our boundary fence at our California hectorite clay mine. We are committed to zero deforestation, and require our suppliers to provide us with deforestation-free materials.