A group-wide chemical management process is currently under development, with customization provided by an external IT consultant. It includes a hazard and exposure assessment for each chemical product in order to demonstrate its safe use for workers and the environment. The process was established in 2020 and will be rolled out to all the sites in stages to ensure all Group sites follow the same approach.
Management approach
Material topic: Chemicals & toxicity
Importance for Lenzing
- Chemicals are among the most important raw materials for pulp and fiber production
- Minimizing usage via good operational practices
- Control of environmental impact
- Safe use of chemicals/safe chemical processes
- Occupational and community safety and health
- Product liability
Opportunities
- Compliance with stakeholder expectations (e.g. Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals)
- Opportunity to reduce impact on Lenzing scope 3 CO2 footprint via good supplier motivation efforts
Risks
- Negative health and environmental impacts
- Regulatory changes and changing classification of chemicals
- Negative environmental and social impacts can lead to reputational damage
Guiding principles
- Heartbeat for Safety and Health initiative
- SHE Policy
- Higg FEM 3.0
- Group Environmental Standard
Due diligence processes and (ongoing) measures
- Environmental management system according to ISO 14001:2015 (including risk assessment and internal audits to ensure the effectiveness of the measures implemented)
- EcoVadis supplier assessment
- Regular Global SHE meetings with management review
- Integral part of internal communication (SHE-topics prioritized)
Objectives
- Compliance with a uniform environmental standard “One Lenzing”
- Assessment of the sustainability performance of the Lenzing Group’s most relevant suppliers
- Continuous improvement of recovery rates
- Group sustainability targets
Achievements/activities in the reporting year
- Safety & Health KPIs
- Emission KPIs
- Lenzing contributing to leading multi-stakeholder initiatives (ZDHC, SAC, EU-BAT)
- Number of EcoVadis-evaluated suppliers increased
- Overall EcoVadis score of Lenzing Group suppliers higher than the average EcoVadis score
- Project launch to buy “green caustic soda” produced using green energy
Responsible
- Global Purchasing
- Global QESH
- Site managers
Stakeholder activities
Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)
The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) multi-stakeholder collaboration initiated a special focus and task teams for wastewater, sludge, solid waste, and air emissions in the textile industry. Lenzing has been part of the Man-Made Cellulosic Fibers (MMCF) task team on wastewater, sludge/solid waste, and air emissions since 2018. In 2020, Lenzing adopted the published ZDHC guidelines on wastewater, air emissions, and responsible fiber production for man-made cellulose fiber manufacturers. In 2021, Lenzing started the ZDHC Gateway reporting in accordance with the wastewater guideline in its viscose operations in Purwakarta (Indonesia), Nanjing (China), and Lenzing (Austria). In 2022, Lenzing will start the Gateway reporting on air emissions, while continuing to take part in the task team in revising the guidelines and developing further guidelines for other MMCF materials.
