Discover Value
Discover ECOTAIN
01The journey to a better tomorrow starts by addressing challenges today
We live in a world today faced with a growing number of critical issues and increasing demands. At Clariant, we see ourselves on a long journey. A journey, on which we meet challenges through changes to our way of thinking—and to our way of acting at every level from the individual, environmental and societal to the economic.
01The journey to a better tomorrow
We live in a world today faced with a growing number of critical issues and increasing demands. At Clariant, we see ourselves on a long journey. A journey, on which we meet challenges through changes to our way of thinking—and to our way of acting at every level from the individual, environmental and societal to the economic.
start by addressing challenges today
02How do sustainability efforts become credible?
An expert knows the answerWe spoke to the Director of the Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption
and Production Michael Kuhndt about the evolution of sustainability awareness
in the chemical industry and the CSCP’s role within.
»The ultimate goal is to support
a sustainable
society that
lives well within
the means
of one planet.«
MICHAEL KUHNDT Director of the collaborating centre on sustainable consumption and production
The industry is nearly unanimous in communicating that it places great importance on sustainability. Generally speaking, how serious do companies mean it?
There are still gaps between communication and achievement but companies now take the topic very seriously indeed. This is primarily due to the fact that sustainability issues already impact their bottom line and are vital to the future ability to meet customer and societal needs. For leading companies, sustainability is already a field where competition and innovation flourish. The benchmark will continue to be raised.What exactly does the CSCP do?
We are a »Think and Do Tank« aiming to mainstream sustainability through a combination of research, advice and facilitation with different stakeholders. Our work is broadly split into three areas: sustainable products and services; sustainable business and entrepreneurship; and sustainable lifestyles. The ultimate goal is to support a sustainable society that lives well within our planet’s means.You often work as an intermediary between the industry, civil society organizations and NGOs. How are you able to find common ground?
The emphasis on collaboration in our name is no coincidence. Our credibility to all stakeholders, including policy NGOs and research communities, comes from our neutrality, our non-profit status and our reputation for working towards joint solutions. This enables constructive dialogue and an atmosphere of trust. Ultimately, these groups share similar challenges but only when strategies are aligned can we achieve the scale of change needed.
What convinced you to collaborate with Clariant on the development of a sustainability screening process?
We are very careful with which companies we work. Our collaboration with Clariant made sense because their sustainability strategy matched key aspects of the philosophy at the CSCP of sustainable production and consumption. Firstly, this entails looking at sustainability issues holistically and across the entire value chain. Secondly, there is a willingness to engage with key stakeholders for collaborative solutions. And thirdly, Clariant views sustainability as an opportunity to create value as well as reducing impacts.How does Clariant prove its commitment to sustainability so it’s not just a buzzword?
What is most important is that any approach to sustainability is built on a solid foundation. The EcoTain® product and solutions label is part of a wider system at Clariant and the result of three years of cooperation and a large internal team. This took into account future societal trends, stakeholder issues, customer interviews and benchmarking of current best practice. Our case study publication on the system shows the depth of the tools developed.
02How do sustainability efforts become credible?
AN EXPERT KNOWS THE ANSWER
We spoke to the Director of the Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption
and Production Michael Kuhndt about the evolution of sustainability awareness
in the chemical industry and the CSCP’s role within.
»The ultimate goal is to support a sustainable society that lives well within the means of one planet.«
MICHAEL KUHNDT Director of the collaborating centre on sustainable consumption and production
The industry is nearly unanimous in communicating that it places great importance on sustainability. Generally speaking, how serious do companies mean it?
There are still gaps between communication and achievement but companies now take the topic very seriously indeed. This is primarily due to the fact that sustainability issues already impact their bottom line and are vital to the future ability to meet customer and societal needs. For leading companies, sustainability is already a field where competition and innovation flourish. The benchmark will continue to be raised.
What exactly does the CSCP do?
We are a »Think and Do Tank« aiming to mainstream sustainability through a combination of research, advice and facilitation with different stakeholders. Our work is broadly split into three areas: sustainable products and services; sustainable business and entrepreneurship; and sustainable lifestyles. The ultimate goal is to support a sustainable society that lives well within our planet’s means.
You often work as an intermediary between the industry, civil society organizations and NGOs. How are you able to find common ground?
The emphasis on collaboration in our name is no coincidence. Our credibility to all stakeholders, including policy NGOs and research communities, comes from our neutrality, our non-profit status and our reputation for working towards joint solutions. This enables constructive dialogue and an atmosphere of trust. Ultimately, these groups share similar challenges but only when strategies are aligned can we achieve the scale of change needed.
What convinced you to collaborate with Clariant on the development of a sustainability screening process?
We are very careful with which companies we work. Our collaboration with Clariant made sense because their sustainability strategy matched key aspects of the philosophy at the CSCP of sustainable production and consumption. Firstly, this entails looking at sustainability issues holistically and across the entire value chain. Secondly, there is a willingness to engage with key stakeholders for collaborative solutions. And thirdly, Clariant views sustainability as an opportunity to create value as well as reducing impacts.
How does Clariant prove its commitment to sustainability so it’s not just a buzzword?
What is most important is that any approach to sustainability is built on a solid foundation. The EcoTain® product and solutions label is part of a wider system at Clariant and the result of three years of cooperation and a large internal team. This took into account future societal trends, stakeholder issues, customer interviews and benchmarking of current best practice. Our case study publication on the system shows the depth of the tools developed.
»Sustainability is a market need and for us an indispensable tool to create value for our customers and their fast moving targets.«
Christian Vang Business President Care Chemicals
»Sustainability is a market need and for us an indispensable tool to create value for our customers and their fast moving targets.«
Christian Vang Business President Care Chemicals
03The ingredients for a sustainable product portfolio
The ECOTAIN® Recipe for success
Initializing
03.1
Our vision is to become the world’s leading company for specialty chemicals, not just for today, but also for the future. Sustainability is an essential and integral part of realizing this vision. That is why in 2013, Clariant launched the custom-designed initiative »The Sustainability@Clariant Portfolio Value Program.«
Integrating
03.2
The Portfolio Value Program (PVP) has set the foundation to expand sustainability throughout the entire company. After seeing its potential, all the Clariant Business Units were eager to contribute their ingredients and knowledge to the mix. This collaborative input was an essential step for PVP to incorporate the sustainability needs of the entire company.
Involving
03.3
With the internal feedback implemented, the PVP is the basis to set an ambitious benchmark — and to gain external and internal credibility through transparency. The PVP achieved this by engaging with customers, suppliers, industry leaders, academia, policy-makers and is supported by an independent NGO (CSCP) in an open dialogue on sustainability for products and solutions.
Embedding
03.4
Through internal collaboration and a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s sustainability needs, the PVP was now set to evaluate products across the entire value chain and to initiate cultural change. As an output of the PVP, the EcoTain® label was reinforced to drive the company’s commitment to sustainability excellence.
Launching
03.5
With its launch in April 2015, EcoTain® now plays a significant role in helping Clariant become better as a company by driving the corporate sustainability strategy — and it is an integral part of Clariant´s DNA.
Growing
03.6
In 2019, Clariant goes one step further, developing EcoTain® as a trusted brand and a tool to drive tangible action and collaboration across the value chain.
03The ingredients for a sustainable product portfolio
THE ECOTAIN® RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
03.1 Initializing
Our vision is to become the world’s leading company for specialty chemicals, not just for today, but also for the future. Sustainability is an essential and integral part of realizing this vision. That is why in 2013, Clariant launched the custom-designed initiative »The Sustainability@Clariant Portfolio Value Program.«
03.2 Integrating
The Portfolio Value Program (PVP) has set the foundation to expand sustainability throughout the entire company. After seeing its potential, all the Clariant Business Units were eager to contribute their ingredients and knowledge to the mix. This collaborative input was an essential step for PVP to incorporate the sustainability needs of the entire company.
03.3 Involving
With the internal feedback implemented, the PVP is the basis to set an ambitious benchmark— and to gain external and internal credibility through transparency. The PVP achieved this by engaging with customers, suppliers, industry leaders, academia, policy-makers and is supported by an independent NGO (CSCP) in an open dialogue on sustainability for products and solutions.
03.4 Embedding
Through internal collaboration and a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s sustainability needs, the PVP was now set to evaluate products across the entire value chain and to initiate cultural change. As an output of the PVP, the EcoTain® label was reinforced to drive the company’s commitment to sustainability excellence.
03.5 Launching
With its launch in April 2015, EcoTain® now plays a significant role in helping Clariant become better as a company by driving the corporate sustainability strategy—and it is an integral part of Clariant´s DNA.
03.6 GROWING
In 2019, Clariant goes one step further, developing EcoTain® as a trusted brand and a tool to drive tangible action and collaboration across the value chain.
One World, One Label, One System, Three Dimensions.
04A label that grows
WITH ITS CHALLENGES
EcoTain® has evolved from a small initiative within one of Clariant’s business units to a company-wide credo generating countless activities and products. We talked to Richard Haldimann, Head of Sustainability Transformation, about how, in the face of growing challenges, the role of the label is further expanded.
Mr. Haldimann, since its introduction in 2012, Clariant’s sustainability label EcoTain® has made quite a splash, both within and outside company walls. Were you surprised by how well the idea was received?
Well, already when the sustainability of products started to be assessed with the Portfolio Value Program some years before, everyone quickly saw how much energy this created. But, yes, the impact has been great to see. Not just in terms of products and footprint, but of mindset and culture. How can we combine excellent performance with outstanding sustainability? This crucial EcoTain® question is now asked long before new projects are meaningfully pursued. Talk to anyone in our R&D about the »triple bottom line«, and you’ll get a glowing response.
Now Clariant is further stepping up its efforts and giving EcoTain® even more weight ...
Actually, what we’ve decided on is not just a step-up but another genuine step change in our approach. The reason, I think, is obvious. We can all see what’s going on, many of us have children, and none of us take their demands lightly. Among consumers and businesses, there’s a great willingness to work together for change. But especially where sustainability is concerned, there’s also confusion about which claims and brands you can trust.
»WHAT IS NEEDED IS A TRUSTED LABEL AND FORMAT FOR TANGIBLE ACTION AND COLLABORATION. ECOTAIN® ANSWERS THIS NEED.«
RICHARD HALDIMANN HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY TRANSFORMATION
What is Clariant doing to solve this issue?
First, we’re pushing ourselves even more towards sustainability excellence. This may sound a little vague, but becomes very specific when you look at our products and their benefits in terms of circularity, energy savings, or resource efficiency. Second, we’re turning EcoTain® even more into a reliable label for communicating such forward-looking, quantifiable benefits. This is the trust and authenticity our customers are looking for, and which they can use to attract and guide consumer choice. Third, we’re putting yet stronger focus on the entire value chain and tangible action within it, with EcoTain® as our trusted label for sustainable products, and EcoTain® Partnerships as our trust-inspiring format for impactful collaborations.What part do these collaborations play in Clariant’s step change?
A big part, because the world has become a very interconnected place and some problems can only be fixed together. New collaborations need to be established quickly and that’s why we talk constantly about value chain co-creation. EcoTain® Partnerships are one way of inviting others to join us in solving issues we can’t solve alone. Beyond advancing change, which is obviously what counts most, our partners benefit from the established framework we offer to make these shared efforts visible.
04A label that grows
WITH ITS CHALLENGES
EcoTain® has evolved from a small initiative within one of Clariant’s business units to a company-wide credo generating countless activities and products. We talked to Richard Haldimann, Head of Sustainability Transformation, about how, in the face of growing challenges, the role of the label is further expanded.
Mr. Haldimann, since its introduction in 2012, Clariant’s sustainability label EcoTain® has made quite a splash, both within and outside company walls. Were you surprised by how well the idea was received?
Well, already when the sustainability of products started to be assessed with the Portfolio Value Program some years before, everyone quickly saw how much energy this created. But, yes, the impact has been great to see. Not just in terms of products and footprint, but of mindset and culture. How can we combine excellent performance with outstanding sustainability? This crucial EcoTain® question is now asked long before new projects are meaningfully pursued. Talk to anyone in our R&D about the »triple bottom line«, and you’ll get a glowing response.
Now Clariant is further stepping up its efforts and giving EcoTain® even more weight ...
Actually, what we’ve decided on is not just a step-up but another genuine step change in our approach. The reason, I think, is obvious. We can all see what’s going on, many of us have children, and none of us take their demands lightly. Among consumers and businesses, there’s a great willingness to work together for change. But especially where sustainability is concerned, there’s also confusion about which claims and brands you can trust.
»WHAT IS NEEDED IS A TRUSTED LABEL AND FORMAT FOR TANGIBLE ACTION AND COLLABORATION. ECOTAIN® ANSWERS THIS NEED.«
RICHARD HALDIMANN HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY TRANSFORMATION
What is Clariant doing to solve this issue?
First, we’re pushing ourselves even more towards sustainability excellence. This may sound a little vague, but becomes very specific when you look at our products and their benefits in terms of circularity, energy savings, or resource efficiency. Second, we’re turning EcoTaineven more into a reliable label for communicating such forward-looking, quantifiable benefits. This is the trust and authenticity our customers are looking for, and which they can use to attract and guide consumer choice. Third, we’re putting yet stronger focus on the entire value chain and tangible action within it, with EcoTain® as our trusted label for sustainable products, and EcoTain® Partnerships as our trust-inspiring format for impactful collaborations.
What part do these collaborations play in Clariant’s step change?
A big part, because the world has become a very interconnected place and some problems can only be fixed together. New collaborations need to be established quickly and that’s why we talk constantly about value chain co-creation. EcoTain® Partnerships are one way of inviting others to join us in solving issues we can’t solve alone. Beyond advancing change, which is obviously what counts most, our partners benefit from the established framework we offer to make these shared efforts visible.
05What can the EcoTain® label do for you?
THE BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
Transparency
Transparency is the basis for trust. This is why Clariant has developed the PVP— the basis for the EcoTain® label—in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. By making the PVP system and its underlying criteria transparent, the sustainability benefits become visible for customers.
Holism
For us, holism means considering the 3 sustainability dimensions People, Planet and Performance across the entire value chain of a product. This begins with raw material sourcing, development and production, and continues through use and disposal.
Trust
EcoTain® creates trust. Trust based on the knowledge that sustainability is more than a buzzword at Clariant, on transparent verification, on the criteria applied and on reliability.
PROGRESS
Besides peace and prosperity, sustainable progress has become one of the great overarching goals of societies, businesses and citizens. Our partnerships build on the unifying power of this shared goal to advance change.
Value
Clariant stands for value and appreciation. EcoTain® products have an extraordinary sustainability profile and customers can highlight their commitment to sustainability.
COLLABORATION
The world is a complex place, and many issues can’t be solved alone. Collaboration along the value chain transforms separate players into a strong team and creates solutions with more impact than can be achieved with isolated efforts.
05What can the EcoTain® label do for you?
THE BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
Transparency
Transparency is the basis for trust. This is why Clariant has developed the PVP— the basis for the EcoTain® label—in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. By making the PVP system and its underlying criteria transparent, the sustainability benefits become visible for customers.
Holism
For us, holism means considering the 3 sustainability dimensions People, Planet and Performance across the entire value chain of a product. This begins with raw material sourcing, development and production, and continues through use and disposal.
Trust
EcoTain® creates trust. Trust based on the knowledge that sustainability is more than a buzzword at Clariant, on transparent verification, on the criteria applied and on reliability.
PROGRESS
Besides peace and prosperity, sustainable progress has become one of the great overarching goals of societies, businesses and citizens. Our partnerships build on the unifying power of this shared goal to advance change.
Value
Clariant stands for value and appreciation. EcoTain® products have an extraordinary sustainability profile and customers can highlight their commitment to sustainability.
COLLABORATION
The world is a complex place, and many issues can’t be solved alone. Collaboration along the value chain transforms separate players into a strong team and creates solutions with more impact than can be achieved with isolated efforts.
06Best-in-class performance in action:
DISCOVER OUR CURRENT ECOTAIN® PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS
We talk a lot about our sustainability goals and visions with EcoTain®, but let’s get concrete. Which Clariant products are labeled with EcoTain®? And what does this mean for these products? Learn more about our sustainable best-in-class products and solutions by visiting our EcoTain® products page or by checking out our Discover Value stories by clicking the following links:
LE Technology
Keeping emissions down and air quality up
LE (Low Emission) Technology reduces harmful emissions in the foundry industry by 80%. When molten iron is poured into casts, temperatures exceed 1600°C—and harmful organic molecules are generated. The bentonite clay of ECOSIL® LE prevents harmful BTEX emissions from forming, while also maximizing surface precision and reducing waste.
Learn more
Glucopure®
Achieving a sparkling clean and staying green
GlucoPure® is a high-powered, glucose-based surfactant for dishwashing liquids. Not only is GlucoPure® based on 95% renewable raw materials, but it contains RSPO-certified fatty acid esters or triglycerides. Furthermore, GlucoPure® is biodegradable thanks to higher usage of renewable resources and bio-based raw materials.
Learn more
Glucotain®
The mild sensation of sugar-based surfactants
GlucoTain® is our range of sustainable sugar-based surfactants for the personal care sector. GlucoTain® products are high-performers and include added consumer benefits, such as heightened mildness properties and a unique sensory experience. Furthermore, GlucoTain® is a biodegradable alternative with a renewable carbon index (RCI) rating of over 95%.
Learn more
07Where does the journey go from here?
SUSTAINABILITY AT CLARIANT
Through its commitments and initiatives Clariant has been listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index year after year. This affirms to us that we are on the right path.
EcoTain® is much more than a product label. It represents the outcome of intense work and commitment under Sustainability@Clariant. We strongly believe that value chain collaboration is the answer to many sustainability challenges we face and invite customers and partners to join us to take on these challenges together.
For more information, please refer to the following:
EcoTain Partnerships
https://www.clariant.com/en/Sustainability/Discover-Ecotain/EcoTain-PartnershipsSustainability@Clariant:
www.clariant.com/SustainabilityClariant Integrated Reporting:
Publication on clariant.com
07Where does the journey go from here?
SUSTAINABILITY AT CLARIANT
Through its commitments and initiatives Clariant has been listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index year after year. This affirms to us that we are on the right path.EcoTain® is much more than a product label. It represents the outcome of intense work and commitment under Sustainability@Clariant. We strongly believe that value chain collaboration is the answer to many sustainability challenges we face and invite customers and partners to join us to take on these challenges together.
For more information, please refer to the following:
EcoTain Partnerships
https://www.clariant.com/en/Sustainability/Discover-Ecotain/EcoTain-PartnershipsSustainability@Clariant:
www.clariant.com/SustainabilityClariant Integrated Reporting:
Publication on clariant.com
Want to know more?
LET’S GET IN TOUCH
We’d really like to hear from you. Please give us a call or contact one of our professionals for more information or for questions about EcoTain®.
